In the United States, basil is grown commercially in western and southern states where the climate is favorable including Arizona, California, Florida, New Mexico, and North Carolina (Fig 1). Where does basil naturally grow? Basil is native to tropical regions from central Africa to Southeast Asia.
You may be thinking “Where does basil grow naturally?”
Basil is native to tropical regions from central Africa to Southeast Asia. It is a tender plant, and is used in cuisines worldwide.
This is what I ran into. B asil will grow best in a location that gets 6 to 8 hours of full sun daily, though it can perform well in partial sun, too. Soil should be moist but well-drained. Basil works great in containers or raised beds, as these allow for better drainage.
This of course begs the query “Where does Basil come from?”
One answer is, despite its popularity in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, basil is actually native to the South Pacific islands and southern Asia. It is a member of the mint family and grows as an annual. It is also quick-growing – from seed to harvest in just about 3 – 4 weeks – which makes this a rewarding herb to grow!
How do you grow Basil?
Basil works great in containers or raised beds, as these allow for better drainage. If you’re planning on cooking with these plants, plant in clean soil, don’t use insecticides, and grow them away from driveways and busy streets so that exhaust won’t settle on the plants.
So, how to grow Basil indoors?
Some articles claimed choose a location with great drainage. Whether you’re growing basil outdoors in the ground or in a container, the drainage needs to be excellent. Choose a location with good sun. Another important thing to remember for basil plant care is to choose a spot where the basil plants will get plenty of good sunlight. Choose growing basil seeds or plants.
Another frequently asked query is “What is the best type of Basil to grow?”.
I discovered moisture needs: Well-drained soil, but water well in the heat of the summer. Best for: Cooking and garnishing traditional Italian dishes. One of the most common types of basil, and one that I often grow in my garden, is Genovese basil. This Italian variety pairs well with a variety of dishes and has smooth, bright green foliage.
You should be wondering “Does Basil need to be in a vegetable garden?”
Let us find out! however, basil does not need to remain in the vegetable or herb garden. Some of the shorter, purple varieties, like “Spicy Globe,” actually make nice edging plants in the ornamental garden, if you don’t have problems with animals eating them. And any type of basil can easily be grown in containers.
How big do basil plants get?
The flowers are edible, too, so don’t despair if a few plants get ahead of you. The size of your plant will depend on the variety, the growing conditions, and how much you harvest. The Sweet Basil variety can reach 6 feet tall but grows to about 2 to 3 ft. for most gardeners.
The next thing we wondered was, how much Basil does a plant produce?
One answer is that if you pick regularly, twelve basil plants can produce 4 to 6 cups of leaves per week. The best method for storing basil is freezing. Freezing will prevent the plant from losing a good portion of its flavor. To quick-freeze basil, package whole or chopped leaves in airtight, resealable plastic bags, then place in the freezer.
Moreover, how much sun does Basil need?
Let us dig a little deeper! where to plant basil – Plant basil in a spot that gets plenty of sun. 6 – 8 hours a day is ideal. Growing basil from root propagation – Basil can easily be propagated simply by snipping a small section off an existing plant.
Is Basil an annual or perennial plant?
Basil is an annual herb that thrives in warm weather. Its leaves and stems grow quickly, so you can harvest them until frost. Give basil a moist, well-drained garden spot that gets six to eight hours of sun each day.