How to grow basil

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Seed Sowing

Basil seeds are best sown indoors; it is not hardy and will benefit from being grown in a greenhouse, polytunnel, or sunny windowsill. The plants have a long growing season but can be sown successionally for regular harvests starting in February. Sow thinly and cover with vermiculite in pots or modules in a heated propagator or on a warm sunny windowsill. Once true leaves show, you can pot on several plants together.

Transplanting

Choose a sheltered sunny site; prepare the area by removing weeds and adding organic matter before planting once temperatures are reliably around 15 degrees. Harden off your plants if going outside. Transplant your seedlings into their final growing position in rows 20 cm apart.

Plant Care

Ensure the ground has enough organic matter to retain moisture and keep well-watered. Cut back to encourage more bushy growth and protect from slugs and snails. Cut back flowering stems to keep leaf production up. You can let them flower; the bees and other pollinators do love them.

Challenges

Slugs and snails really like young Basil plants. If these are a problem in your garden, sow indoors and plant out when larger. Encourage slug predators like ground beetles, lizards, slow worms and, if you’re lucky enough, hedgehogs into your garden by creating wildlife habitat.

Harvest

Harvest once established and leaves are plentiful. Cut the top growing tips to encourage bushy growth and keep picking regularly to discourage flowering, successional sowings will lengthen the harvest time.

Culinary Ideas

Basil is a fragrant fresh herb with an unmistakable aniseed note. There are many different varieties including cinnamon, lemon, Thai, Greek, red, and the classic sweet Genovese. Best added to meals at the end of cooking. Classic dishes are pesto, Thai green curry, Caprese salad (tomato, basil, and mozzarella). Basil is high in vitamin C, B6, manganese, and iron.

Seed Saving

For a good seed harvest, grow plants early in the season, as they need a long time to reach maturity. Space them a little further apart to give them room to grow.

Once flower stalks start to turn brown, cut them off and place them inside a paper bag. Leave them to dry, and the seeds should fall out into the bag. Store in a cool dark place; seeds should remain viable for around 5 years.

Varieties

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  Basil – Sweet Genovese (Organic)

  £1.95 – £3.50 Add to basket This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

  Basil – Sweet Genovese (Organic)

  The classic basil variety, very productive, aromatic and perfect for all culinary uses, especially pesto. With large bright green leaves and a smell to die for this is an essential addition to the veg plot. We think you cannot grow too much basil, we use it in almost every meal throughout the summer months. Genovese makes the most superb pesto, aromatic without being overpowering and giving us a much needed taste of sunshine when stored or frozen and then eaten throughout the winter months.

  A robust, trustworthy variety of ‘The King of Herbs’ with the perfect balance of aroma and subtlety. It is an essential companion to tomatoes.
  (Approximate seed count – 500)

  

  SKU: ZBSG Categories: Basil Seeds, Herb Seeds, Large pack Tags: Culinary herbs, Suitable for containers

  £1.95 – £3.50
• 

  Basil – Tulsi (Organic) ***NEW FOR 2025***

  £2.25 Add to basket

  Basil – Tulsi (Organic) ***NEW FOR 2025***

  Also known as ‘Holy basil’, a wonderful medicinal and culinary type of basil . Originating from India and South Asia tulsi has been used in ceremonial and therapeutic settings for many centuries and is often found growing around temples.

  Its also used in Thai, Indian and Vietnamese cuisines to add a fragrant and heady aroma to dishes.
  (Approximate seed count – 200)

  

  SKU: ZBTu Categories: Basil Seeds, Herb Seeds Tags: Culinary herbs, New for 2025, Suitable for containers

  £2.25
• 

  Basil – Thai (Organic)

  £2.00 Add to basket

  Basil – Thai (Organic)

  Irreplaceable, anise-flavoured variety used in Asian cooking on a compact plant that is equally as ornamental as it is culinary . Striking both in flavour and appearance, Thai basil has a more concentrated, spicy flavour than its more well known cousin with notes of anise and liquorice. It has smaller, narrow, pointed leaves with flowers and stems of a deep purple. It’s perfect for Thai green and red curries and stir fries and is resilient to longer cooking methods.
  (Approximate seed count – 350)

  

  SKU: ZBTh Categories: Basil Seeds, Herb Seeds, Large pack Tags: Culinary herbs, Suitable for containers

  £2.00
• 

  Basil – Red (Organic)

  £2.00 Add to basket

  Basil – Red (Organic)

  Beautiful deep red purple foliage with similar taste and properties to common green basil. Red basil has both ornamental and culinary uses. We use it as garnish or to add colour to salads or made into pesto. It will look great in your garden, not to forget the amazing sweet scent of goodness when you walk past.
  (Approximate seed count – 350)

  

  SKU: ZBRd Categories: Basil Seeds, Herb Seeds, Large pack Tags: Culinary herbs, Suitable for containers

  £2.00
• 

  Basil – Greek (Bush) (Organic)

  £2.00 Add to basket

  Basil – Greek (Bush) (Organic)

  Fantastic variety of basil with a bushy growth habit and small leaves. Greek basil (or ‘bush basil’) is a great addition to the plot, its bright green foliage makes it as ornamental as it is delicious. It works really well in containers and crops well over a long period. Can be used like other basils, in sauces, salads or as a garnish.
  (Approximate seed count – 400)

  

  SKU: ZBGr Categories: Basil Seeds, Herb Seeds Tags: Culinary herbs, Suitable for containers

  £2.00
• 

  Basil – Lemon (Organic)

  £2.00 Add to basket

  Basil – Lemon (Organic)

  This unusual basil will enchant you with its wonderful lemony basil fragrance that is caused by a high content of citral and limonene. It has a milder taste than ordinary basil and can be used in cooking or to make a herbal tea. It also goes exceptionally well in sweet dishes adding a citrusy twist.

  The plants have small, green leaves with slightly serrated edges. We just love having it growing in our polytunnel or garden and think it’s worth a try if you haven’t already.

  (Approximate seed count – 350)

  

  SKU: ZBLn Categories: Basil Seeds, Herb Seeds Tags: Culinary herbs, Suitable for containers

  £2.00