How to Grow and Care for Basil in Containers
Intro: Sweet basil, which is the basil plant variety used in Italian dishes, is an aromatic herb that you can grow in plant containers in your balcony garden or inside near a sunny window. The sweet basil plant has beautiful shiny leaves that are delicious in fresh dishes!
Scientific Name: Ocimum basilicum
Plant Type: Herb. This container plant is most often treated as an annual, but can be a perennial in warmer climates.
Light: Needs 6 to 8 hours of light a day. Sweet basil can be grown indoors.
Water: Water this plant consistently, and do not let it dry out. Do not get water on the leaves.
Propagation: To propagate sweet basil, collect seeds that the flowers produce, or use cuttings (cut a 4-inch or more stem right beneath a leaf, tear off the last couple of leaves, and then place in a glass of water until roots sprout).
Misc. Info: The basil plant's small white flowers should be pinched off unless you want the plant to produce seeds. If sweet basil flowers are permitted to grow, the basil's leaves will stop growing, and the stems will become woody. Aphids can be a problem insect pest with this plant.
