Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a member of the mint family. Space the plants 10 to 12 inches apart. All the time you are growing basil indoors the light will coming from only one direction and the plant will tend to grow towards that light. For the most vigorous garden plants, choose a well-drained, fertile site with a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Once frozen, remove from the tray and store in resealable bags in the freezer for up to two months. It thrives in full sun but will tolerate part shade. The basil seeds may germinate naturally in an outdoor garden and provide tiny new basil plants come spring. One manufacturer recommends a solution of 2 teaspoons of fertilizer in 1 gallon of water; reduce that to 1 teaspoon for Thai basil. Either … Work in the early morning after the dew has dried from the leaves, and be sure to leave at least three sets of leaves on each stem. Basil plants are one of the most popular herbs to grow and also one of the easiest. Thai basil plants are great to grow in a kitchen window, not just because it provides quick access to the tasty herb, but also because it is a fly repellent. Basil is a popular, fragrant herb with a variety of culinary uses. Yum! When flowers appear on your plant, … In comaprison to the common basil it has got white flowers. Basil is an annual plant, and like me, it enjoys a somewhat tropical environment. Also referred to as ‘Sweet Thai,’ Thai basil plants grow to a height of between 12 to 18 inches (30-46 cm.) If in doubt, plant in a greenhouse, tunnel house or inside. A commercial, sterilized, soilless potting mix containing organic compost or peat provides the light texture and good drainage a container basil needs. The reason to grow buckets of basil is classic pesto, which freezes well in small jars, or ice cube trays. Popular among the cuisines of Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, growing Thai basil has a pleasing aroma similar to sweet basil and is generally used fresh in recipes. Basil needs a spot with full sun and a little afternoon shade in hot climates but you can also grow basil in pots indoors, window sills are the perfect spot. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. If it feels dry, water the plant until liquid runs from its drainage holes. Mix the water-soluble liquid with water according to the manufacturer's instructions, and apply it at the same time you water your plants. thyrsiflora) is a member of the mint family and as such has a particular sweet flavor reminiscent of anise, licorice and clove. Her thousands of published articles cover topics from travel and gardening to pet care and technology. How to Grow & Use Basil; where to buy thai basil seeds There are actually over 100 varieties of basil that all have slightly different tastes, from Italian sweet basil to Thai spicy basil. Sun is a key ingredient. Unless, you are growing Thai basil as an ornamental, cut the flower off several days before harvest so the plant can focus all its energy on the leaves. Aspect: The stems of basil tend to be quite brittle, so are easily broken by wind. Growing Sweet Basil Indoors. Thai basil may also be used as an aromatherapy treatment by bruising the leaves and inhaling their aroma. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Missouri Botanical Garden: Ocimum Basilicum, Napa Master Gardener Column: Your Garden in June, Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Science: Growing, Selecting, and Using Basil. Rosemary and Thai basil work well planted together as they enjoy similar well-drained soil, water, and fertilization. Select an 8- to 12-inch diameter planter with good drainage. Thai basil plants do best with at least **six to eight hours of daily sun. To test it, insert a finger into the top 1 inch of potting soil. If the gauge holds 3/4 inch of water, for example, provide 1 1/2 gallons of water for every 10 square feet of soil. During summer, the plant may need watering twice a day. Basil can also be grown as a window ledge plant all year round. Fill the planter half-full with potting soil. Basil plants are easily grown and trimmed to form protective hedges. If the temperature drops below 39°F, basil will turn up its toes and die. Be sure to try Thai basil, holy basil, and red rubin basil — each variety has its own characteristics. Or make a second sowing outdoors in June in order to have small plants to pot … Thai basil … Thai basil plants do best with at least six to eight hours of daily sun. Because it holds up better to heat, Thai basil is ideal for wilting into sauces at the end of cooking. Sun is a key ingredient. Start seed indoors for 4 weeks before introducing to the outside environment for 2 weeks prior to planting. Thai basil plants need at least six hours of direct sunlight to flourish. Plant basil outside after all danger of frost has passed, choosing a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil or grow plants in containers. Now that you have harvested the basil, what are you going to do with it? If you would like to know how to grow a big harvest of basil watch this video for my five top tips on basil growing! To me, Thai basil lends a bit of mystery to a dish with warm licorice or anise flavor. long on purple stems with purple flowers. Passionate for travel and the well-written word, Judy Wolfe is a professional writer with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Cal Poly Pomona and a certificate in advanced floral design. Grow potted Thai basil in a dark plastic container with multiple drainage holes. To get the highest yield of tender and flavorful leaves, pinch the tip of each branch, starting in early summer when the plants are 6" tall, to encourage bushiness. 3. More increases its risk of root rot. If your choice is to purchase from the nursery, pick up a rosemary plant as well. Thai basil leaves are at their fragrant, flavorful best just as flower buds emerge. Plant the new basil in a sunny area, water in and fertilize with a nutrient rich fish emulsion or seaweed solution two to three times during their active growing season. When harvesting Thai basil, remember to be gentle as the leaves bruise easily and you don’t want that to happen until you are going to use them. Plant Height. It is from the same family as the common basil. National Gardening Association: Plant Care Guides -- Basil. A rain gauge helps determine when to water. The United States National Arboretum: Basil-icious! Care needed to grow a sweet basil plant varies slightly between indoor and outdoor cultivation. With their lovely purple stems and purple-veined leaves on a shiny, dark green background, Thai basil plants are grown not only for their culinary uses but also as an ornamental specimen. Grow basil in well-drained, fertile soil in a warm, sheltered position out of direct midday sun. When you harvest your growing Thai basil plant, take it down to about 6 inches (15 cm.). thyrsiflora) finds its way into curries, stir fries and other Asian specialties. Thai basil can be purchased from the nursery or started from seed. Pinch the leaves or stems off between your thumb and forefinger, or remove them with clean, sharp stem clippers. During the first 2 months of the growing period, fertilize every 2 weeks. If we look at how to plant Thai basil in the home garden, our first concern is obtaining the plants. There are as many uses for basil as there are types. It thrives on the same conditions as basil nice sunny spot with well drained soil and water regularly. Seeds germinate slowly, a bit faster when heated from below, and basil enjoys hot weather and full sun. Some Thai basil uses are to infuse with vinegar or oil, to flavor Pho with mint and chilies, make tea, or pair with most any chicken, pork or beef dish. It's a warm season annual, it will grow 1 to 2 feet tall and wide. Always follow label recommendations for the amount and frequency of fertilizer applications. Adding compost at planting time provides garden Thai basil with the necessary nutrients for the entire growing season. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! That temperature should then drop at night to somewhere around 68°F (20°C). Plant outdoors in early spring as long as temperatures don’t drop below 50°F. How to propagate Thai basil An annual herb, Thai basil is best grown from seed sown in punnets or trays before being transplanted out into the garden. Care should be taken not to plant basil outdoors until after the last spring frost has passed. And growing basil outside rather than indoors is the easiest of all — it grows throughout USDA zones 2 to 11, according to Missouri Botanical Garden. A windowsill is often a good place to grow your basil but make sure that it is free from draughts - some windows, even double-glazed ones, sometimes let small draughts in and basil hates draughts. Thai basil plants do best with at least six to eight hours of daily sun. **Adding compost at planting time provides garden Thai basil with the necessary nutrients for the entire growing season. Seed can also be sown outdoors in drills from May -June 6″ apart. Keep plants bushy and productive by pinching the tips of branches regularly and re… Grow a few basil plants in containers so you can bring them indoors before fall frost. It can sustain much larger plants, and they don’t dry out quite as quickly. Follow along with this handy How to Grow Basil from Seed Guide and grow some flavour.! Plant the new basil in a sunny area, water in and fertilize with a nutrient rich fish emulsion or seaweed solution two to three times during their active growing season. Start your seeds off in pots of moist peat-free multi-purpose compost on a warm but not sunny windowsill. Planting basil from seed is truly enjoyable. Handle the plants carefully, as they are quite delicate. It will grow quite well in part-shade or diffused light, but it tends to stretch and become leggy. Likewise, it should be kept watered to avoid drying the soil quickly. A temperature of around 75°F (24°C) during the day is optimal for Thai basil. Basil plants like moisture. Sweet basil thrives year-round if you grow it indoors, but it is an annual plant outdoors. If you grow yours in containers like I do, the container itself … Potted Thai basil dries out quickly. Growing Thai basil tends to be more compact than other types of basil, so harvest at the top of a group of leaves; otherwise, the stem will rot. Over-watering will cause the leaves to yellow and drop, and under-watering will make flowers and buds suffer, so it is important to attain a balance when watering Thai basil. Simply add basil to mayonnaise for a basic aioli. If you're planning to grow basil in a pot and want to add fertilizer, your plants will require only a very weak liquid solution every 3 to 4 weeks to compensate for nutrients washed away by frequent watering. By: Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. Learn more. Choose growing basil seeds or plants. In a pinch, you can bruise the leaves of basil and rub the oils on your skin as a mosquito repellent. Take the number of stems or leaves you need by pinching them off directly above another set of leaves. An 8-inch lettuce bowl or 6-inch pot has room for a single plant. Thai basil can be grown alongside common sweet basil. Recipes online include one for making Thai basil beer and a recipe for Thai basil pesto with peanuts, rice vinegar, fish sauce and sesame oil, which will keep in the refrigerator for a week. Boasting maroon-stemmed, glossy-green leaves and blue-violet blossoms attractive enough to grace flower arrangements, Thai basil grows equally well as a garden or container plant. Growing Basil Outdoors or In Basil hates having wet roots overnight, so aim to water plants in the morning if possible. To be able to mature fully, this herb needs to be exposed for at least 6 to 8 hours every day. In loose, well-draining soil, 1 inch amounts to roughly 6 gallons for each 10 square feet. Don’t even think of planting the larger and more vigorous green basils, cinnamon basil, or Thai basil in a pot smaller than 12” (30 cm). Sign up for our newsletter. Thai basil grow and care – shrub‎ type of basil of genus Ocimum also known as Thailand basil, Thai basil perennial or cold annual plant used as edible plant for the leaves also used as ornamental plant and it’s fragrant, can grow in mediterranean, subtropical, temperate or tropic climate and growing in hardiness zone: 10b+ (perennial), 5-10 (as annual). Sunlight: Basil is happiest in a warm spot in full sun, however in hot regions it will benefit from some shade. When growing basil indoors for transplant, start them 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost date. Basil prefers a rich well drained soil in a sheltered yet warm position.. More information on Thai Basil seeds. Also, water the Thai basil prior to harvest to intensify the flavor. If, at the week's end, it registers less than 1 inch, provide enough supplemental water to make up the difference. To get a quality crop that lasts from early spring to mid-autumn, it’s best to grow basil in a container. Nighttime temperature must not go below 50° Fahrenheit or 10° Celsius. Harvest the leaves in the morning when their essential oils are at their peak and the flavor of the growing Thai basil will be at a premium. Will you start by growing basil seeds or basil plants? All Rights Reserved. When to Plant Basil. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Fertilize plants every three weeks with a half-strength dose of micronutrient-enriched, 12-4-8 liquid houseplant food. Based on testimonies, basil is best grown around parsley, oregano, chamomile, lettuce, peppers and tomatoes. Well-drained soil is good soil for basil. with leaves 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm.) Thai Basil has aromatic, pointed green leaves with a hint of licorice flavor. It is closely identified with Italian cooking, although it is originally from India. 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You can put basil in bouquets, tisanes, soups, and almost any fish dish. One inch of weekly water through the growing season keeps a garden plant healthy. They can also be bruised and rubbed beneath the eyes and on the forehead for a relaxing reprieve from a long stressful day. It grows very much like common basil except when it flowers it has nice deep purple flowers. Outdoors, containers (sow direct in final pots, or in plugs and later transplant to final pots), and hydroponics. You can keep a plant in a pot going all summer long by moving it into a slightly bigger container every time roots show through the drainage holes in the bottom – plants could end up in a 20cm (8in) container. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Florida Gardener: Can You Imagine a Garden Without Basil? Water weekly but keep the water off the leaves; water from the base. If you live in a hot area, use mulch around the plants (the mulch will help hold in moisture and suppress weeds). Like sweet basil, Thai basil is a perennial. As basil stems aren’t very strong it doesn’t fare well in windy conditions so it is best to keep it protected. Leaf colors span from rich green to deep purple, with smooth or crinkled leaves… For the most vigorous garden plants, choose a well-drained, fertile site with a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. It prefers full sunlight (6+ hours a day of direct light) and a warm climate, meaning more than 70 °F (21 °C) during the day and no colder than 50 °F (10 °C) at night. If you make a mistake, cut the stem all the way back to the next set of leaves. Provide plants with plenty of sunlight - supplementing with grow lights if necessary - and keep them in a warm location to encourage strong, healthy growth of plants and the best tasting foliage. How to Grow Basil Make sure that the soil is moist. Growing Cultures. Keep reading for more information on Thai basil uses. Thai basil is usually used fresh, preferably soon after harvesting, but you can also chop it up or run it through a food processor and freeze in ice cube trays. soil Expect to use between 60 and 90 pounds of compost for each 10 square feet of soil. Herb Society of America: Basil Growing Guide, Landreth Seed Company Newsletter: Container Gardening -- Things Every Container Gardener Should Know. In order to grow Thai basil plants indoors, it’s important to mimic the outdoor conditions of summertime. At the end of the growing season, keep your basil. Fertilize basil plants with liquid plant food every 2-4 weeks. Amend the soil before planting by working a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic, well-aged compost worked into its 6 to 8 inches. Thai basil prefers soil that is lightly moist, slightly acidic, well-drained and rich in organic matter, such as compost. It also dries and freezes well so you can have the herb to use all winter long. Thai basil plants need at least six hours of direct sunlight to flourish. A container plant, however, needs regular fertilizing to compensate for the nutrients rain and watering leach from its potting mix. A licorice- and clove-infused variety of the annual sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) used to spice up many tomato-based dishes, Thai basil (Ocimum basilicum var. In any case, it’s better to avoid growing Thai basil at a temperature below 68°F (20°C) during the … If the plant is between 6 and 8 inches tall, it's large enough to harvest for the kitchen. If you use clippers, disinfect them between cuts in rubbing alcohol to avoid spreading disease. The deeper root zone makes a huge difference when growing basil in containers. Basil should be fertilized on a regular basis with organic fertilizer. Thai basil (Ocimum basilicum var. If you choose to add fertilizer, a light application of a liquid fertilizer twice a season is all you really need for basil growing outdoors.

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