Forum home› Fruit & veg
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Any tips for growing basil (indoors)

zsedenyzsedeny Posts: 32
in Fruit & veg
I started some basil off from seed under a grow light but months later, all I have are a few tiny leaves on the few plants left alive. Not sure what I’m doing wrong. Lots of people seem to have trouble growing basil. Anyone have any tips?
«1

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Basil originally comes from Thailand, so ideally those are the sort of conditions it needs.
    Lots of strong sun, high temperatures and lots of humidity - not easy to achieve in the UK in mid winter.
    I love basil and have tried growing indoors out of season, but with little success.
    I sow seed in March and plant them amongst the tomato plants in my greenhouse and by mid-summer I've got more than I know what to do with.


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • zsedenyzsedeny Posts: 32
    Thanks. That’s interesting. Do you think a heated mat would help for the colder months indoors?
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    Buy a potted plant from the supermarket and replace it when it gets too leggy. OK, that’s not in keeping with the spirit of this thread but there’s no need to make life more difficult for yourself!

    Incidentally, James Wong says basil should not sit in a saucer of water overnight. Watering is best done in the morning.
    Rutland, England
  • zsedenyzsedeny Posts: 32
    Ok I’ll buy some. 🤣 Although was keen to avoid whatever chemicals they spray it with. Obviously I can wash that off, I just prefer organic. 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    edited February 2021
    It may help a little.
    The main problem is a lack of 'strong' light. Sunlight may appear to be really strong even at this time of year, but it isn't.
    Also there's the lack of humidity.
    In Thailand it's so humid almost all the time and is often close to 100%.
    I can see the humidity in where I'm sitting atm is 23% which is really dry. This is due to the central heating. Outside the humidity atm is 61%
    There is another basil fan who has posted here and does seem to grow it successfully.
    I'll have a search and see if I can find the thread.

    I don't know if it helps but I found it-
    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1046663/any-ideas-on-how-to-lower-the-humidity-indoor-for-growing-basil/p1

    I'd go for Ben's suggestion though.
    Don't assume plants have been sprayed with pesticides. Often they're grown in almost surgical like environments, so there's no need for sprays.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • zsedenyzsedeny Posts: 32
    Oh ok, good news about the probable lack of pesticides. And I’ll take a look at the thread. Thanks!
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    We grow it from seed in the greenhouse, but not until Apr/May when it's much warmer.  If you ever buy a Basil plant from the supermarket, take some cuttings and stick them in a jar of water.  They root very easily, and you will have spare plants.  Although buying the initial plant is a cheat, it's a much easier and quicker way of getting additional plants.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Wait until April and sow then - on a windowsill or greenhouse in trays or pots. 
    Once they've germinated, and have a few pairs of leaves, don't try to separate seedlings and plant up individually -  divide into clumps to grow on in pots. If you have three or four seedlings in a 3 or 4 inch pot, they'll grow readily and fill it quickly. 

    In warm areas, you can have it outside once conditions are suitable, or keep it indoors or in a greenhouse.  I mostly have mine indoors here  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • zsedenyzsedeny Posts: 32
    So if I have 3-4 seedlings in a 3-4 inch pot, how often am I looking at watering in them? I know the answer is always ‘It depends on factors x, y and z’ but please give me a rough idea. 🙂 I can’t ‘read’ plants or the soil so no idea. I’m very new to green fingered pursuits. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It can be trial and error, but if the seedlings are looking a bit droopy, they probably need water. If you lift the pot up and it's very light, it's probably quite dry. Try not to let them get so dry that when you water, it all just runs through. If that happens, just let the plants soak the water back up into the compost. An inch of water travels roughly nine inches down, so you don't need a huge amount to water a small pot  :)
    You would need a tray or saucer under the pots anyway to avoid excess water running through and causing damage to the window ledge. 

    I find I need to water most days once it's warmer, but as long as they aren't shrivelled up, it's easy enough to revive them. You'll gradually get used to the idea of when they need water though.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Sign In or Register to comment.