Hello Lykkers! Basil is a beloved aromatic plant that can bring fresh flavors to your dishes year-round. While basil is typically grown outdoors, it can thrive indoors as well, especially during the colder months.
Here, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to grow basil in a pot, from transplanting to providing the right environment for healthy growth. Let’s get started!
Transplanting Your Basil
Choosing the Right Pot
When you first purchase basil, it's often in a small plastic container. These containers are suitable for temporary use but not for long-term growth. To give your basil enough space to grow, it’s best to transplant it into a larger clay pot.
Preparing for Transplant
To transplant basil, you’ll need some basic tools, such as potting soil and pruning gloves. First, gently tip the pot and remove the basil plant, taking care to keep the root ball intact. It’s helpful to divide the plant into smaller sections, with each containing about three plants. Be careful not to damage the roots when doing so.
Setting Up the New Pot
Start by covering the bottom hole of the pot with a small piece of broken pottery. This ensures proper drainage and prevents the soil from falling out. Add a couple of inches of potting soil to the bottom and arrange the basil sections, ensuring they’re spaced at least 5 cm apart. Fill in with more soil to cover the roots, then water gently to settle the plants.
Providing the Right Growing Conditions
Sunlight Requirements
Basil needs a lot of light to grow properly. During the warmer months, basil grows effortlessly outdoors, either in the garden or on a balcony. However, in the winter, it’s essential to move your basil indoors to a location where it will receive plenty of sunlight.
A sunny windowsill works well, as long as it doesn’t get exposed to drafts from windows or heating sources.
Watering and Temperature Control
Basil loves being kept moist, but it's important to avoid waterlogging. Ensure the pot has good drainage to prevent the roots from sitting in excess water. During the colder months, place your basil indoors where the temperature is between 20-25°C (68-77°F). This temperature range encourages growth while keeping your basil healthy.
Checking Soil Moisture
To keep your basil thriving, check the soil regularly to ensure it remains slightly damp. Basil plants will continue to grow and sprout new leaves as long as the soil doesn't dry out completely.
Feeding and Maintaining Your Basil
Fertilizing Your Basil
During the colder months, basil’s growth may slow down, but it still requires some nutrients to stay healthy. You can help support your plant’s growth by feeding it a specialized fertilizer for herbs or potted plants.
This will provide the necessary minerals to keep your basil flourishing even when it’s not actively growing in the garden.
Pruning and Harvesting
Proper pruning is essential to maintaining a healthy and productive basil plant. Instead of picking individual leaves, always cut entire stems, leaving the plant’s growth points intact. Cutting the stems this way helps delay flowering, which can exhaust the plant and reduce the production of new leaves.
Preventing Flowering
Basil is a plant that naturally flowers as it matures. However, once it starts flowering, it diverts its energy into producing seeds, which reduces leaf growth. To prevent this, regularly trim the tops of the plant and remove any flowers that start to form. This encourages the plant to focus its energy on growing fresh leaves instead.
Conclusion
Growing basil in a pot can be a rewarding experience, offering fresh herbs for cooking all year round. With the right care—proper transplantation, sufficient light, regular watering, and smart pruning—you can enjoy the aromatic flavor of basil throughout the seasons. So go ahead, bring some green into your home and enjoy the benefits of homegrown basil, no matter the time of year!
