Here's a step-by-step guide on how to grow holy basil at home:
Seeds: Sow the seeds about 1/4 inch deep in a pot filled with moist potting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist and place the pot in a warm, sunny location. Germination may take 7-10 days.
Planting: To pot up a young holy basil plant, choose a pot that is slightly larger than the plant's root ball. Make sure the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
Preparing the pot:
Fill the pot with a well-draining potting mix to grow the plant. You can use commercial potting mix or make your own by mixing equal parts potting soil, compost, and perlite.
Planting:
To seed seedlings, carefully plant them in the pot and cover the root ball with soil. To seed a mature plant, remove it from its original container and place it in a new pot.
Watering:
Water the plant thoroughly after planting. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot.
Sunlight:
Holy basil thrives in full sun so place the pot in a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Temperature:
Holy basil cannot tolerate extreme cold and prefers warm temperatures. The ideal temperature is between 65-85°F (18-30°C).
Humidity:
It grows faster in slightly humid conditions so mist the plant occasionally or place a tray of water near it to maintain humidity.
Pruning:
To encourage bushy growth and prevent the plant from getting tall, cut off the top growth regularly.