Basil? This plant is one of the most widely used aromatic plants. Want to grow more of it? The following tips will be helpful.
In fact, during the summer, every terrace is adorned with these plants.
Basil, in addition to enhancing its flavor, also enhances the appearance of your dishes. Growing it is easy. Just follow a few precautions, and your basil will grow beautifully. Don’t worry, this article was written to make your task easier.
What you need to know about basil
It is known for its mosquito repellent properties and also has many benefits. This plant is perfect for colic and digestive problems. It also relieves respiratory problems such as asthma, colds, and coughs. Its richness in water, protein, and vitamin D also makes it excellent for loss of appetite.
Basil varieties
Many varieties exist:
Basil Lettuce
Thai basil
Mexican basilBasil lettuce is grown in the Campania region. It has large leaves and a minty aroma. Greek basil has a rounded shape when it grows. Thai basil is a very aromatic plant and has a minty and licorice flavor. Finally, there is Mexican basil. It is dark red in color with a fruity aroma.
How to Grow Basil
This plant grows year-round. However, it prefers the summer months. In fact, during these months, it is lush. From autumn until February, it hardly flowers. And for optimal growth, we must expose it to 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. The soil must also always be moist. But don’t overwater. This is not good for the plant’s taste. Remember to prune the inflorescences to encourage leaf growth. It can be grown indoors and on the
balcony. You just have to pay attention to certain aspects.
Conditions for good plant development
It doesn’t require too many conditions. You can plant it in a pot inside or outside a house. Just pay attention to the climatic conditions. In general, the plant does not withstand temperatures below 10°. Therefore, if we want to transplant it, we must choose an appropriate period, which is none other than the end of May.
We must also make a good choice for the soil. The latter must be mixed, rich in nutrients and capable of ensuring good water stagnation. We must be aware that basil needs a lot of water. Hence the usefulness of moist soil. It is best to water our plants early in the morning or
late in the evening. Do not do it during the hottest hours of the day.
If you decide to grow it outdoors, use terracotta or plastic pots. At home, it’s best to place your plant on a windowsill for direct light. If this isn’t possible, you can use direct, cool LED light for 12 hours a day.
Growing Basil Outdoors
It’s important to know that growing basil outdoors is easy. Just place it in a windless spot with a temperature above 15°C. Remember, basil needs water. Water it twice a day in summer and only once in winter.
Plant the plants about 20-30cm apart when the nighttime temperature is above 15/20°C. Also, wait for the plant to recover before using the leaves. Cut off the flowers to ensure good leaf growth.