Cinnamon basil really does smell like the sweet spice, and it also has unusually beautiful and fragrant flowers. Lemon basil actually contains citral, an aromatic compound found in citrus fruit, and smells very lemony. Purple basil is often grown for decoration, as well as its scent and flowers. There are perennial basils which come back year after year, like African Blue Basil (which has pretty blue veins on its leaves) and Thai Basil, while most other varieties are annuals, which you’ll have to plant year after year. Globe and Greek basil are much more difficult to grow, but form pretty little bushes which stay well-contained.
If you live in a hot climate, you can start the seeds outside instead. To figure out when the last frost will be, consult an almanac or talk with other gardeners in your area.
If you live in a hot climate, you can start the seeds outside instead. To figure out when the last frost will be, consult an almanac or talk with other gardeners in your area.
It is important to keep your basil seeds warm after you plant them. You might consider using a heat mat or an overhead lamp to keep them warm.
To plant the basil in the garden, dig holes spaced at least 1 foot (0. 3 m) apart. Place the roots in the holes and place soil around the stems. Pat down soil around the plants to eliminate air pockets. If you want to plant the basil in a container, make sure it’s large enough to accommodate the number of plants you’re growing; they need to be planted 1 foot (0. 3 m) apart, since they grow quite large.
Pinching encourages the plant’s energy to be directed into its stronger stems and leaves. This helps the plants grow bushy. Don’t pinch on the lower part of the stem, or the basil plants will grow tall and reedy. You want them to get bushy, so pinch from the top.
