Basil varieties for growing at home

Small-leaved basil grows best at home, preferably plants that reach V height no more than half a meter.

Here are some of them:

• Marquis– mid-early variety, low-growing plant up to 25 cm, spherical or pyramidal in shape, green leaves, have a pronounced clove-pepper aroma;
• Dwarf– compact bushes 10-18 cm in height, grown as an aromatic herb and as ornamental plant, comes in green and purple;
• Basilisk– compact bushes 20-25 cm high, leaves with a peppery-clove spicy taste and smell, early ripening;
• Troll– reaches 35-40 cm in height, leaves are green-violet, small;
• Clove– medium-sized basil 35-45 cm high with a pungent clove-anise smell;
• Philosopher– low-growing bushes (25-30 cm) with leaves purple, clove aroma;
• Spicy Globe– bushy basil with small leaves, forms spreading but compact bushes, has a lively spicy aroma;
• Bush Minette– miniature bushes, ideal for growing in containers, tiny leaves;
• Cinnamon– small bushes, leaves with a cinnamon aroma; Small-leaved basil (piccolo) – leaves are small and narrow, the taste is sweet, almost without astringency, the smell is reminiscent of allspice.

What conditions are required to grow basil?

Basil has a developed root system, so to grow it you need fairly deep and voluminous boxes, containers or flowerpots. Basilica needs regular watering, good soil permeability is important, so you need to use light structural soil.

The soil must contain peat, humus or compost; clay will promote optimal water circulation, and to prevent it from stagnating, you need a drainage layer, for which you can use fine gravel or expanded clay.

Basil is a heat-loving and light-loving crop.

The best place for growing it is a windowsill; in winter, the necessary heat will be provided by a heating radiator, and if there is not enough sunlight, it is necessary to organize lighting. Important provide protection seedlings from drafts.

The best temperature for basil growth is 25⁰ . You can keep boxes of basil on a glazed and insulated balcony or loggia, especially if their heating and lighting are organized.

If unheated balcony, and it gets cold outside, you need to cover the basil with film, protecting it from wind and hypothermia.

Optimal time for sowing or planting cuttings Basil is considered spring, March-April, then during the period of active growth the plants will receive enough heat and light.

If the owners have sufficient experience, containers with basil are kept in a warm place, for example, on a kitchen windowsill, the heating radiator is running and artificial lighting is provided, the planting season is not of fundamental importance.

Basil cuttings

You can grow basil at home two ways:

• from seeds;
• from cuttings.

If you already have basil growing in your house or friends, you can take cuttings from it, using the upper and middle part of the stem. You can also purchase a small container of growing basil at the store; if it is fresh, it can serve just fine. source of cuttings.

The cuttings are placed in water, roots usually appear within a week, after two weeks they can be planted in the ground. It's also possible rooting cuttings immediately in the ground, they need to be covered on top with cans or cut-off PET bottles; to increase the likelihood of successful rooting, add a root formation stimulator when watering.

Basil takes root quite well during vegetative propagation, and when cuttings or seedlings are planted, they will quickly reach a size that allows harvest.

But barely rooted cuttings are quite fragile, but sprouts grown from seeds are not so delicate, so sowing basil is considered more practical option , although it requires more time to wait for the harvest.

Sowing and preparation for it

Both the soil and the seeds need to be prepared. Self-harvested soil must be disinfected Preheat in the oven for up to an hour, soil purchased in specialized stores is processed.

Directly soil before sowing warmed to room temperature and enriched mineral fertilizers or humic concentrate.

Deep grooves are made in the prepared soil 0.5-1 cm with row spacing of 10 cm, prepared seeds are sown in them, the distance between the seeds should also be not less than 7 cm.

The grooves are sprinkled with earth, the soil is moistened and covered with a transparent film or glass to preserve moisture. The boxes need to be kept in a warm place, for seeds to germinate usually need 5-7 days.

The emerging shoots need good lighting, they must be illuminated at least 16 hours a day.

When seedlings will reach 5 cm in height, they can be transplanted into another box, more spacious and deep, or into pots, bush from bush at a distance 15 cm and more.

Caring for Rooted Basil

Bye sprouts less than 5 cm, enough watering without loosening. After rooting of the strengthened seedlings once every 2-3 days the soil must be loosened and watered if the soil dries out. Watering should not be excessive, otherwise the aboveground part of the plants may be affected by mold and fungus.

Water the basil in the morning with water at room temperature. If it's worth hot dry weather, watering is possible twice a day, in the morning and at lunch. Fertilizing with mineral fertilizers is carried out from the moment one or two leaves appear on the seedlings and then at intervals about a month.

For feeding the following composition is used: per liter of water take 10 g of a mixture of fertilizers: nitrogen (2 g), potassium (3 g) and phosphorus (5 g). It is not necessary to thin out the planting if sufficient distance is maintained between plants when transplanting young seedlings.

In order for the leaves to grow more actively, the plant to grow in breadth, you need to pinch off the top shoots, pinching the tops begins after 4-6 leaves appear.

During the flowering period The flower ovary is left only if the basil is grown for seeds; in plants grown for leaves, the buds are broken off; there is no need to allow flowering. Then the leaves will be more fragrant, and the plant will not wither longer.

More detailed instructions How to grow basil at home you will find in the video:

Basil harvest

Basil grows rather slowly indoors, and the leaves should not be cut until the bushes reach at least 10 cm in height. To replenish the supply of fresh herbs for the table, it is enough to periodically break off or cut off the tops of shoots from different bushes, a few leaves at a time.

As a result, basil it will be better to bush, give lush greenery, which can be used as needed without tearing down the main plant. If you need to store a lot of greens for future use, the stem is cut closer to the base, so that only 4 lower leaves. New leaves will grow from their axils.

So this is an annual plant will produce a harvest greens for a long time.

Possible problems when growing basil

Basil is a plant that is resistant to diseases and pests, but it also There is weak points . Pests such as slugs and snails, as a rule, do not threaten basil growing at home on a windowsill. Weeds also rarely appear in the treated soil.

But gray mold And fusarium Plants grown at home can also be affected, usually due to overwatering of the soil. In this case, the affected leaves are torn off; if the disease has affected the stem, the plant must be uprooted, so that neighbors don't get infected. The soil is sprinkled with ash and loosened so that the ash penetrates deeper.

To be honest, growing basil on a windowsill in winter was not part of my plans. Everything happened by chance. In summer, the bushes grew in a box on the balcony. My dacha is quite far from home, so I planted several bushes of green and purple basil seedlings at home so that I always have fresh herbs on hand - I love this herb, I appreciate the beneficial properties for the body. With the arrival of cold weather, I moved the box to the windowsill kitchen window, the bushes grew beautifully - it was a pity to pull them out.

Basil on the windowsill in winter

I thought, I’ll slowly use the greens I already have, then I’ll grow them on the windowsill in winter green onions, and closer to spring seedlings. I had no hope that basil would continue to grow in the apartment. Previous attempts to grow greens on the windowsill (parsley, dill) were not particularly successful. The kitchen window faces north, the window is almost always open, the radiator dries the air - not the best suitable conditions for plants that love warmth and light.

But it turned out differently. I used the existing leaves, and new ones grew actively. The basil was left to winter on the windowsill, delighting with fresh herbs. I plant the onions in the same box. The spice tolerates such proximity (see in the photo). The bushes, of course, are not luxurious, as they were in the fall, but they can withstand Spartan conditions.

Growing basil on a windowsill in winter - what are the methods?

Soon the box and space on the windowsill will be occupied by tomato seedlings. The onion and basil will have to be removed. In order to have fresh greens in the winter, I inquired about other ways to grow this plant on the windowsill. It can be grown:

Purple and green basil - beneficial properties

In India, this plant has been revered as sacred for many centuries. The ancient Hindus considered grass to be able to protect from sorrows and misfortunes, bring joy and prosperity to the home, and give health and longevity.

How is spice on the windowsill useful for me specifically in winter?

See, these spicy greens with mass useful properties in an apartment in winter it is not at all superfluous, it supports and protects the body.

Hello. The age of greenery is short-lived, no matter how hard you try. To flavor a dish winter time And early spring you have to use store-bought dried herbs. But green fragrant bushes can be grown on your windowsill. And so supply yourself with healthy spices all year round. Today you will learn how to grow basil at home. Unpretentious basil, with a pleasant aroma, first began to be cultivated in India and Iran. In ancient times, it was considered a medicinal plant due to its properties.

A little about varieties

Before you run to the store in search of seeds, decide on the desired variety of basil. Their number exceeds more than 150 varieties, and not all are suitable for growing at home. To grow basil on a windowsill, pay attention to the following varieties:

• Common basil is purple in color. The variety is characterized by a pleasant peppery-clove aroma and pronounced spicy taste. It is used fresh and dried in salads, preserves and marinades. Easy to care for.
• Purple Basil of Yerevan. Gives 2-3 harvests per season. It has a tart taste of tea and allspice. It will be an excellent addition to soups, salads, fish and meat dishes and sauces.
• Purple Basil Tulsi. Used in India for rituals and cooking spicy dishes.
• Vietnamese is ideal as an ingredient for salads and other dishes, thanks to its intense aroma and sweet taste.
• Italian (or Genoese) has a very strong anise aroma, making it a must-have addition to Italian pesto sauce. If you are a lover of Italian pasta and other dishes of this cuisine, feel free to grow it at home. It grows well in indoor pots.

Basil is also classified by its aroma. After all, the culinary use of the spice depends on the aroma. Thus, basil with the aroma of anise is suitable for vegetable and fish dishes, and spices with the aroma of lemon, pepper and cloves will “sound” perfectly in meat dishes.

For lovers of the aroma of cloves, varieties such as Smuglyanka, Gvozdichny Aromat, Spring mood and Dark Night. The following varieties have a clove-pepper aroma: Basilisk, Fantaser and Marquis. The following varieties have a peppery aroma: Compatto, Aramis, Rosie, Orion and Ruby. To grow basil at home with lemon aroma pay attention to the following varieties: Spark, Lemon Basil and New. The menthol aroma is represented by the Velvet variety. To flavor sweets in the confectionery, they use the Vanilla Aroma variety.

How to grow basil

This spice can be grown at home in several ways: from young shoots or seeds. Both methods are good, but in order for basil to delight you all year round, it is better to grow the spice from seeds.

You can start growing basil at any time of the year. But most optimal time Spring is considered to be the time for growing. So, when the desired variety has been selected, the seeds have been purchased, and in the month of April, you can start sowing.

Basil bushes grow rather large and require a lot of space, so it is better to sow the seeds in long flower boxes so as not to torment yourself with transplants. The soil for sowing seeds can be taken from the garden or vegetable garden, fertilized with universal fertilizer for vegetables.

There is no need to sow the seeds too deeply, as this prevents the rapid emergence of seedlings. Leave a 10 cm wide space between the seeds. When sprouts appear and reach a height of 5 cm, you need to loosen the soil every 3 days. Loosening - prerequisite for spices grown indoors, it enriches the soil with oxygen.

Basil prefers moderately moist soil. Water it every morning, if the weather is hot and dry, watering can be done twice, adding watering at lunchtime.

Basil comes from the subtropics and reaches out to the sun, so place the box with the crops on a sunny windowsill. Keep the temperature to about +25 degrees. If you keep a box of basil on the balcony and are afraid that it is lacking warmth, wrap it in plastic wrap.

All plants are prone to diseases and pest attacks, basil is no exception. Greenhouse plantings of basil get sick less often than those planted in a vegetable garden or garden, but you need to know the enemy by sight. Basil has a tendency to contract gray mold and fusarium. To prevent these diseases, monitor the amount of watering; it is excessive watering that causes these diseases. If you see damaged stems, remove them to avoid infecting healthy bushes.

Basil is annual plant, he is very warm and light-loving, since his homeland is the tropics. In our climatic zone in open areas it grows only in summer season, but at home - all year round. Therefore, if you decide to plant basil on the windowsill, then you will have the opportunity to pamper yourself and your loved ones with fresh vitamins, because this bush is a real “treasury” useful substances for the body. In addition, it has a unique taste, so the leaves are added to various dishes (soups, meat, fish, salads). Food with basil acquires a special appetizing aroma. How to grow basil on a windowsill? This is not at all difficult, but you should remember some planting rules and features of caring for this crop.

Lighting and temperature conditions

It is best to place the container with the plant right next to sunny window. The best temperature is 21-25 degrees. The temperature should not be allowed to drop below 20 degrees, otherwise growth will be inhibited. If basil grows at home on the balcony, then during the cold season it is necessary to cover it with cellophane film to prevent hypothermia. Basil does not like drafts, try to eliminate this possibility. Sunlight should be applied to leaves and stems for at least 3-5 hours a day.

Planting container and soil for basil

Long wooden containers or elongated clay flower pots are ideal for growing basil bushes at home; the main thing is that they are large enough, since the root system grows profusely.

Before planting, it is best to warm the soil and fertilize it with mineral fertilizer or humic concentrate.

The container you choose should have good drainage to prevent liquid stagnation. Black soil and sandy loam are suitable for planting this plant.

Fertilizer and watering

The plant likes regular and moderate watering. Water the basil as the soil becomes dry, about once every five days. The soil should be slightly moist. If you are growing the crop at home, then you do not need to water it too much, as this can only harm the basil. If you do flood the soil and your plant begins to become moldy, you should take appropriate action immediately. Eliminate infected leaves and stems to avoid further spread of the disease to healthy parts. Then dust the ground with ash and loosen it thoroughly.
Basil needs to be watered daily, preferably in the morning. In hot summer time, you can water 2 times a day (during daylight hours). Spray the bush occasionally, and in summer carry out this procedure every day.

Once every 30 days, you can use fertilizing for the bush. Feed your basil with an all-purpose fertilizer that includes gummates or organic compost.

When caring for the plant, it is important to regularly loosen the soil every 3 days. Thanks to this procedure, a sufficient amount of oxygen enters the ground, which is so lacking for a plant living at home.

Basil propagation methods

By growing basil at home, you can get excellent results. But how to do this and where to start? First of all, let's start with the methods of propagation of this plant, there are several of them:

1. A young bush from a cutting. Basil is propagated by cuttings, and this is the most convenient and quick method getting a new bush. Simply take a few shoots or tops from an adult bush and place them in a container of water for 7-14 days. The cuttings should take root, then they can be planted in pots. After 40-50 days, the first greens will appear and can be eaten. Such a plant will bring you green leaves within 3-4 months.
2. Growing a new plant from seeds. This is a longer and more painstaking method, but such a bush will last you much longer than one grown through cuttings. It will take eight months to a year for young basil to fully develop from seed.

How to grow basil bush from seeds?

Any plant variety is suitable for growing at home, but it is better to choose varieties with a relatively short stem length. To start, you can take a small pot or plastic glass. Only later, when the young shoot has several true leaves, it will need to be carefully planted in a larger container without damaging it. root system. Although you can immediately plant the seeds in large pots.

The soil needs to be fertile and light. Regular black soil with compost will do. For fertilizer take mineral fertilizing. Ensure high drainage properties of the soil, because this is very important for the plant. Styrofoam or broken bricks are suitable for this purpose. Before the soil layer, lay out the selected material with a layer thickness of 2-4 cm.
Before planting in the ground, basil seeds must be soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate. Then you should plant the seeds in watered soil, pressing them about 1 cm. Make an interval of 10 centimeters between seeds. When you finish planting, cover the pot with cellophane and do not remove it until it emerges.

In order for the seeds to germinate as quickly as possible (in 5-7 days), a temperature of 23-27 degrees is required. After about 40-50 days, the first spicy leaves will begin to appear and can be eaten. When you cut the greens, leave 3-4 leaves on the stem to ensure the future growth of new shoots. While the bush has not yet bloomed, remove the top so that it grows wider.

Instructions for planting and caring for basil at home

1. Early March is most suitable for planting, then you will not have to highlight the plants. Take the seeds and soak them for a couple of hours in a solution of potassium permanganate. Prepare the pot with soil as described above. Plant the seeds, 3-5 centimeters apart from each other, sprinkle them with about one centimeter of soil.
2. Then cover the pot with a bag or plastic cap; remove this “greenhouse” only when the first shoots appear. Keep the pot of seeds in a warm place.
3. After removing the lid, move the sprouts to a well-lit area. If you planted seeds in autumn period, before a young bush requires artificial lighting. To do this, use a fluorescent lamp, directing it at the sprouts for 8-10 hours a day. This procedure will speed up plant growth.
4. When the shoots become longer and a second corolla of leaves appears, plant the plants in separate larger containers.
5. From this stage it is necessary to increase the time of artificial illumination to 12 hours. Plants should not be watered or fed too much. When the third corolla of leaves appears, spray the young basil with water at a comfortable temperature every 7 days in the morning or afternoon.

Varieties of Basil

To grow at home, you can use any type of basil, but it is best to take varieties with miniature leaves (Dwarf, Marquis, Basilisk).

Varieties vary in leaf color and aroma, so choose a plant to suit your tastes. Basil gives cooked dishes a special aroma, the notes of which vary depending on the variety.
Yerevan. Its leaves are a rich blue hue and smell of tea and allspice.
Baku. The leaves are purple-brown and add clove and minty notes to food.
Spoon-shaped. The leaves are green and smell of laurel and cloves.

Now you know how to grow basil on a windowsill. Growing a basil bush at home will not be difficult if you adhere to the above care rules. Don’t be lazy to care for the plant, then it will delight you with an excellent harvest of spicy leaves!