Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an actual annual, usually dying after going to seed. In frost-free climates, however, it sometimes survives for a couple of decades. Sweet basil, also called common basil and just basil, grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 11. The plant tends to self-seed, producing new plants year after year and supplying the fresh herb without you having to replant. Certain techniques may keep sweet basil producing during winter, allowing you to get the absolute most from the plant.
Provide the Basics
Sweet basil, which is part of the mint family (Lamiaceae), originated in tropical Asia. It requires at least six hours of sunlight daily and grows best in full sun. The herb plant can be found in a number of varieties, all of these flavorful and fragrant. Sweet basil can develop with different herbs and vegetables in inground beds and container gardens. The plant grows up to 3 feet tall and creates an abundance of tender leaves. Water sweet basil’s soil regularly, and spread mulch on top of the soil but not touching the plant. Mulch holds moisture and insulates plant roots.
Prolong the Plant
Finding the most culinary use from sweet basil throughout its lifetime requires pinching off the tips of its own stems as soon as its buds come out in summer. Wash your hands before pinching to reduce the risk of causing infection from the plant. Stopping the plant in blooming and going to seed makes its growth slimmer with more leaves. Use a sharp knife or clippers equipped with a household disinfectant to cut corners which become leggy and to harvest leaves and stems for kitchen use.
Use the Backup Plan
Self-seeding is a strategy that supplies another year’s herb harvest. At the end of summer, let two or more stems on every sweet basil plant flower and go to seed. If you would rather gather the seeds to plant indoors or in a different location, then collect the seedpods by hand as soon as they’ve dried on their plant, then store the seeds in airtight containers such as plastic zipper bags or vials with tight-fitting stoppers.
Resurrect the Herb in Winter
In warm locations, sweet basil completes its normal lifespan outdoors. Elsewhere, frost kills the plant, and low temperatures allow it to turn dark and wither. Keep a handy supply of fresh sweet basil through sunlight by taking cuttings from the plant before the weather turns cold and rooting the cuttings indoors. Another option is to harvest the stems to within 1 to 2 inches of the soil, and then pot the rest of every stem to regenerate indoors. Sweet basil grows well indoors in front of a window which receives bright light. Pour out all water from every potted plant saucer after watering.