How to Grow Basil in Pots: A Simple Guide for Summer

Few plants say summer quite like basil.

Its scent immediately makes me think of ripe tomatoes, outdoor lunches and simple pasta eaten on warm evenings.

Even better, basil is wonderfully happy growing in a pot.

You don’t need a vegetable garden or much space. A sunny balcony, terrace or windowsill can be enough.

Here’s how to keep a pot of basil healthy and productive throughout summer.

Choose a Good-Sized Pot

One of the most common problems with supermarket basil is overcrowding.

What looks like one lush basil plant is often many seedlings growing together in a very small pot. They quickly compete for water, nutrients and space.

If you bring one home, consider dividing the plants gently and repotting them.

Choose a container with drainage holes so excess water can escape.

Basil likes moisture, but it doesn’t like sitting permanently in wet soil.

Give Basil Plenty of Light

Basil loves warmth and sunshine.

Place your pot somewhere bright where it receives several hours of sunlight each day.

In very hot climates, however, intense afternoon sun combined with a small pot can dry the plant extremely quickly.

If your basil repeatedly wilts despite regular watering, try giving it morning sun and a little protection during the hottest part of the afternoon.

Water Consistently

Potted basil can become thirsty surprisingly quickly during summer.

Check the soil regularly by touching the surface with your finger. If it feels dry, it is probably time to water.

Water thoroughly rather than giving the plant tiny amounts several times a day.

Whenever possible, water the soil around the plant rather than constantly soaking the leaves.

The goal is simple: moist soil without permanently waterlogged roots.

Don’t Just Pick Individual Leaves

This is probably my favourite basil-growing trick.

Instead of repeatedly removing individual leaves from around the plant, harvest whole growing tips just above a pair of leaves.

The plant can then produce new shoots from that point.

Instead of becoming one long, thin stem, your basil becomes bushier and produces more leaves.

In other words, the more intelligently you harvest it, the more basil it can give you.

Pinch Off the Flowers

Eventually, basil will try to flower.

The flowers are beautiful and pollinators may enjoy them, so there is nothing wrong with allowing some basil to bloom.

But if your main goal is producing lots of tender leaves, pinch off flower buds as they appear.

This encourages the plant to continue putting energy into leafy growth.

Feed Occasionally

Plants growing in containers depend entirely on what is available inside their pot.

If your basil has been growing for several weeks, occasional feeding with a suitable organic liquid fertiliser can help maintain healthy growth.

Follow the instructions on the product rather than assuming more fertiliser means more basil.

It doesn’t.

Harvest Often

Don’t save your basil for a special occasion.

Use it.

Regular harvesting encourages fresh growth and prevents you from suddenly discovering a huge plant that has started flowering while you weren’t looking.

Add fresh basil to tomato salads, pasta, pizza, soups and sandwiches.

And when you have plenty, make pesto.

A Simple Summer Pleasure

Growing basil isn’t complicated, and perhaps that is why I enjoy it so much.

A terracotta pot, sunshine, water and a few minutes of attention are enough to bring something fresh to the kitchen throughout summer.

Place a pot somewhere you pass regularly.

Touch the leaves occasionally.

Enjoy that unmistakable scent.

And when the tomatoes are finally ripe, you’ll already know what to pick next.

Do you grow basil every summer, or is this the year you’re finally going to try?