Introducing Basil

Grow basil at home like a pro! It is nutritious and well worth the effort. This guide will help you grow this wonderful herb in the tropics.

Sweet basil is a very popular herb in Italian cooking. It is best known as the central ingredient in pesto.

Basil is originally native to India, Asia, and Africa. There are more than 60 varieties of basil, each has its own distinct flavour. However, the sweet basils are the most popular of these.

How to grow Basil at Home in Queensland

Sweet basil is our favourite and we grow a lot of it during the tropical dry season. However, we find, that sweet basil does struggle during the hot and humid conditions of a tropical summer.

Thai basil is an excellent basil to grow in a tropical summer. It grows well all year round, but comes into its own over summer.

How to Grow Basil from Seed

Plant in a loose, organic soil where your basil will get plenty of sunlight.

How to Grow Basil from Cuttings

Growing basil from cuttings is an effective and straightforward way to propagate this popular herb. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to successfully grow basil from cuttings:

Growing Basil in Pots

1. Select Healthy Cuttings: Choose a healthy basil plant with no signs of disease or pests. Look for stems that are at least 4-6 inches long with several sets of leaves.
2. Take the Cuttings: Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut a stem just below a node (the point where leaves meet the stem). Each cutting should be about 10cm (4in) long. Remove the lower leaves from the bottom 5cm (2in) of the stem, leaving a few sets of leaves at the top.
3. Prepare the Cuttings: Place the cuttings in a small container filled with fresh water, ensuring that the lower part of the stem is submerged. Place the container in a bright, warm location but out of direct sunlight.
4. Change the Water: Change the water every few days to keep it fresh and prevent stagnation. After a few days to a week, you should start to see roots forming from the submerged part of the stem.
5. Transplant the Cuttings: Once the roots are about 5cm (2in) long, the cuttings are ready to be transplanted into soil. Fill a pot or container with well-draining potting soil. Make a hole in the soil and gently place the cutting, burying the roots and lower part of the stem. Firmly press the soil around the stem to ensure good contact.
6. Water and Care: Water the newly planted cuttings thoroughly to settle the soil. Place the pot in a bright location with indirect sunlight initially, gradually moving it to full sun as the plant establishes.
7. Maintenance: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Basil prefers regular watering, especially during dry periods Fertilise lightly with a balanced, water-soluble organic fertiliser every few weeks to promote healthy growth.

Basil is a very easy to grow and versatile herb. Indeed it can be grown in pots quite easily. Furthermore you can simply grow it from seed or cutting.

Grow Basil at Home Outdoors

In the tropics it is very easy to grow basil outdoors.

Location and Soil

Plant in full sun, or at least where the plant will get sun for a good part of the day. Also, plant your seeds in well draining soil. Hence loose soil is a good medium for this plant. Here in the tropics we recommend growing basil in pots or a container bed.

Fertilising 

If you are growing direct into lovely rich soil, you may not need to fertilise your basil at all. However, if you are growing in a pot or container, fertilise your basil every 4 weeks with a liquid fertiliser.

Watering

Remember that plants will dry out quicker in a container, so be sure to water at least every 7 days.

How to grow basil indoors

How to grow basil indoors in water

Growing basil in water, also known as hydroponic growing, is a convenient and space-saving way to cultivate this aromatic herb. Simply follow the relevant steps mentioned above, but note the below tips below when growing in water:

• Place the cuttings in a clear glass jar or container filled with fresh water, ensuring that the lower part of the stem is submerged.
• Place the container in a bright, warm location but out of direct sunlight to prevent algae growth in the water. ideally 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. If growing indoors, place the jar near a sunny window or use a grow light to ensure the basil gets enough light.
• Change the water every few days to keep it fresh and prevent stagnation.
• Allow the roots to grow until they are about 1-2 inches long. Once the roots are well-established, you can continue to grow the basil in water. Ensure the water level is consistently high enough to cover the roots.

Pests and Diseases 

Insect pests and diseases are more of a problem during the wet season. This is due to the hot humid conditions.

The major pests in the tropics are leaf eating beetles, aphids and caterpillars. However, you can pick these off your plants at home, or if the challenge is bigger you can use an insecticide.

Basil Plant Indoor Benefits

Eating basil is not only enjoyable, it has many health benefits. So there are many healthy reasons to grow basil at home.

Health Benefits

Loaded with vitamins and minerals, basil is good for your health.

Weight Loss

Basil helps to slow down the process of sugar release in the blood. This makes it useful as part of an overall strategy to manage excessive body weight.

Fibre

Basil is high in fibre, especially if you eat the seeds. It also contains eugenol, which has an anti-inflammatory affect on the digestive tract. Consuming basil can be a useful part of an overall strategy to address inflammatory bowel conditions.

Immune System

Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is widely believed to improve immunity when eaten on an empty stomach.

Antioxidants

You should also grow basil at home for its antioxidants such as eugenol, anthocyanins and beta-carotene. These antioxidants help the body fight free radicals in the body, thus reducing cell damage. This can reduce your risk for a variety of conditions, such as cancer, heart disease and arthritis.

Prebiotics

Basil has prebiotic fibre that is good for gut health. The seeds are particularly helpful in this regard.

In conclusion thank you for reading and we encourage you to grow basil at home.

Other Tropical Herbs

• Cilantro
• Dill
• Garlic Chives Growing
• Ginger Growing
• Lemongrass
• Mint
• Stevia
• Thai Chili Plant
• Vietnamese Mint (laksa leaf)

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