Basil

This flavourful herb is a favourite in Italian dishes.

Basil is simple to grow indoors and should provide a good yield. It’s best to sow the seeds in late winter to early spring.

Fill a 7.5cm diameter pot with multi-purpose compost and sow a few basil seeds on top. Water gently, then cover the pot with a clear plastic freezer bag and secure with an elastic band. Place on a warm windowsill away from direct sunlight.

When the seedlings germinate, take the bag off and pot each seedling into its own 7.5cm pot filled with multi-purpose compost.

Top tips

– Water sparingly each morning to keep the soil moist, but not wet – basil doesn’t like having wet roots.

– Keep a basil plant going until late autumn by continually moving it into a bigger pot as it grows.

– Pick the leaves as you need them, picking from the top of the plant first to encourage regrowth.

– Basil pairs well with tomatoes, such as in a sauce or salad. For the best flavour, add fresh basil at the end of cooking, or use it as a garnish. Try it in our Aubergine Parmigiana recipe!

Key timings

Our experience

Basil is a really easy herb to grow if you give it the right conditions! Make sure your windowsill is warm and sunny but not too hot, and don’t overwater it.