How to grow basil from seeds in pots or containers.

Basil is a perennial herb that belongs to the mint family. It is native to tropical Asia and Southeast Asia and is widely used for culinary and medicinal purposes. It is used to add flavour to dishes and soups. Basil has high levels of antioxidants and helps to prevent diseases like cancer and diabetes. It is also used to treat cough, and fever and maintain skin health. There are 50 to 150 varieties of basil. Some of the varieties that are commonly grown are sweet basil, purple basil, lemon basil and holy basil. You can either grow basil from seeds or you can buy a sapling from the local nursery.

Growing Conditions for Basil

The best time to grow basil is during the spring and summer seasons. Basil is neither frost-tolerant nor is it drought-tolerant. Mulching should be done during the summer season. The optimum temperature required for basil to thrive is between 18°C to 30° C (64°F to 86°F). It needs moist well-drained soil to grow well. The soil pH must be between 6.0 to 7.5. Basil needs at least 4 hours of sunlight every day.

Grow basil from seeds

Start seeds indoors 4 weeks before the last frost. Once your seeds have germinated and grown 6 inches tall, you can transplant them to bigger containers. Basil needs a container that is 12 inches deep and wide. Basil can also be grown as a companion plant. Basil seeds germinate within 10 days and can be harvested within 4 weeks from sowing.

Pests and Diseases

Since basil is a herb it does not get attacked by pests and insects. In some cases, you might find aphids and slugs in your basil. Using neem oil can help repel these pests.