Basil Plants

Basil Plants FAQs

Take a look at some of the frequently asked questions we receive from those looking to buy Basil Plants in the UK. You can contact our Customer Service Team or browse our general FAQs for further advice.

When is the best time to plant Basil?

Basil plants prefer warm conditions, so it's best to plant them outside between June and July. They'll grow well in containers in a greenhouse or on a warm windowsill from spring right through to late autumn.

How to Plant Basil Plants

Basil thrives in well-drained, fertile soil in a warm, sunny position. Sow seeds in pots or directly into garden beds, spacing plants about 20–30cm apart. If growing in containers, ensure they have good drainage to prevent root rot. Regularly pinch out the growing tips to encourage bushy growth and prevent flowering, which can reduce leaf flavour.

Is it better to grow Basil plants indoors or outdoors ?

Basil plants typically take 4–6 weeks to reach a harvestable size from seed. Once established, they will continue producing fresh leaves throughout the summer if regularly harvested. Pinching off flowers helps extend the growing season and ensures a continuous supply of aromatic leaves.

Why should I plant Basil Plants?

Basil can be grown both indoors and outdoors, which is ideal if you're juggling unpredictable weather or limited space. It always does best in warm, sunny conditions. In cooler areas, the most reliable option is growing basil under cover, such as in a greenhouse or in containers that can be kept sheltered and warm.

Outdoor growing is possible in early summer once plants have been hardened off and nighttime temperatures stay above 10 °C, but results are often less successful, and the growing season is shorter. Basil prefers free-draining compost, which is why containers are usually more successful than planting directly in the ground, and it also makes it easier to protect plants from pests. Overall, whether indoors or outside, warmth and good drainage are the keys to healthy basil plants.

How do you care for Basil Plants?

Caring for basil plants is simple, making them a great choice for beginners while still rewarding experienced growers. With just a little attention, you'll be rewarded with plenty of fresh, flavourful leaves.

Watering

Basil plants like to stay consistently moist. Basil grown in containers will need more frequent watering, as pots dry out quickly. Try to water early in the morning and avoid letting the soil dry out completely, while also mindfully avoiding waterlogging the plant.

Feeding Basil is a vigorous grower and needs very little fertiliser. Too much feeding can actually reduce flavour. Outdoors, a light liquid feed twice a season is plenty. For container-grown basil, use a very weak liquid feed every 3-4 weeks to replace nutrients lost through regular watering.

Pinching

As soon as your basil herb plant has two sets of leaves, start pinching out the growing tips. This encourages the plant to grow bushy and full, rather than tall and leggy, giving you more leaves to harvest.

How do I prevent my basil herb plant from bolting?

Basil plants are prone to bolting, when it prematurely sends up a flowering stem and runs to seed, often reducing crop quality. It's typically triggered by cold spells or changes in day length.

Basil is most likely to bolt during consistently hot summer weather, so make sure the soil stays evenly moist and provide light shade during the hottest part of the day. Keep a close eye on your basil plant and pinch off any flowering stems, cutting them about 1 inch below the flower. This stops the plant from producing seeds and helps prevent the leaves from becoming bitter, encouraging basil to stay leafy for longer.

When can I harvest my basil herb plants?

You can harvest basil leaves throughout the summer as soon as plants are well established. Pick leaves as needed, taking a few shoot tips from each plant to encourage bushy growth, or cut whole plants if you need a larger harvest. Basil plants can also be picked very young as microgreens after a couple of weeks, and even the flowers are edible, with a milder flavour than the leaves.

Why choose Marshall's Garden for basil plants?

• Expert support: Whether you're new to growing herbs or have years of experience, our friendly UK‑based support team is on hand six days a week, including bank holidays. You can also explore our growing guides for advice at any time

• 100% satisfaction guarantee: We take excellent care to ensure our basil plants arrive in excellent condition. If you're not happy with the quality of your basil on delivery, we'll put it right

• Trusted by many: Our customers love our great selection and the perfect condition of our plants – it's helped us achieve our 'Great' rating on Trustpilot.

• Over 75 years of growing experience: We've been providing guidance to beginner and advanced gardeners for decades. You can trust us to deliver basil plants that are healthy and packed with aroma and flavour.