How to Grow Basil

Basil thrives in the warm-season heat across the South and Southwest. The trick in humid regions is dodging downy mildew, and pinching often.

Basil is a tender warm-season herb that loves heat and sun. Plant it after frost and it crops right through summer, the one classic herb that actually prefers the conditions that flatten lettuce and cilantro.

When to plant

Plant from spring once the soil is warm, and again in late summer in the warmest regions. It dies at the first frost, so it is a warm-season crop everywhere. See your region on the basil page.

Varieties

• 'Genovese' — the classic large-leaf pesto basil.
• 'Amazel' / 'Prospera' — strong downy-mildew resistance, important in the humid Southeast.
• 'Thai', 'Lemon', 'Holy (Tulsi)' — for variety and heat tolerance.

How to grow it

• Sun & soil: full sun, rich well-drained soil, even moisture.
• Pinch: pinch out the growing tips and any flower buds constantly to keep leaves coming and delay bolting.
• Airflow: space plants for airflow to fight downy and the leaf diseases that humidity brings.

Pests & problems

Basil downy mildew is the big one in humid regions (yellowing with grey fuzz underneath), so grow resistant varieties and water at the roots in the morning. Aphids and Japanese beetles may visit.

Harvest

Start picking once plants are 6 inches tall, always cutting above a leaf pair so it branches. Regular harvest is the best way to keep a basil plant productive.

Source: UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions, Basil.

When to plant in your region

Pick your region to see exactly when to plant basil where you garden.

See also: Basil in the plant library →

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