Whether you’re growing it in your backyard, on a patio, or right on your kitchen windowsill, basil is easy to grow and endlessly useful. From starting seeds indoors to snipping the perfect leaves for your next meal, we’ll walk you through how to plant, grow, and harvest basil like a pro.
basil, (Ocimum basilicum), annual herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae), grown for its aromatic leaves. Basil is likely native to India and is widely grown as a kitchen herb. The leaves are used fresh or dried to flavor meats, fish, salads, and sauces; basil tea is a stimulant.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a fragrant culinary herb from the mint family (Lamiaceae), widely used in Mediterranean and Asian cuisines. Beyond its aroma and flavor, basil is valued for its impressive nutritional profile and natural plant compounds that may support health in multiple ways.