Basil
There’s something kind of magical about snipping a few fresh basil leaves right from your kitchen counter and tossing them into a pasta sauce or salad.
If you’ve been wondering how to grow basil indoors, the good news is: it’s way easier than you think!
…Even if you don’t have a green thumb (yet)!
Here’s everything you need to know to grow lush, fragrant basil inside your home, no backyard required.
The Basics: What Basil Needs to Thrive Indoors
Basil is a fast-growing herb that absolutely thrives in hydroponic systems.
As long as you give it light, warmth, and water, it’ll reward you with tons of fresh, aromatic leaves in just a few weeks.
Here’s what basil loves:
- Light: Indoors, basil needs 14 hours of light. Hydroponic systems include built-in grow lights that make this foolproof.
- Water: Indoor gardens keep the roots consistently moist without overwatering. Just keep the water tank filled.
- Warmth: Basil is a warm-weather herb and grows best in 70–80°F. Keep your unit away from AC vents or cold windowsills.
The Easiest Way to Grow Basil Indoors: Use a Hydroponic Garden
If you want a completely stress-free experience, hydroponic systems are the way to go.
No dirt. No guessing.
Just plug it in, pop in a basil pod or your own seeds, and let the indoor garden do the work.
Best Hydroponic Gardens for Growing Basil:
- LetPot Air Smart Garden: compact, sleek, and affordable
- AeroGarden Harvest: comes with basil pods so you can get started right away
- Click and Grow Smart Garden 3: great for small spaces
- Lettuce Grow Farmstand: perfect if you want to grow multiple basil plants and more
basil is so easy you can grow it in even a small countertop garden
Basil Varieties
You don’t have to stick with just the basic Genovese basil (though it’s a classic).
There are tons of other fun options you can try in your hydroponic garden, especially if you’re starting from seed.
Here are some indoor-friendly basil varieties to consider:
- Noga Basil: classic Italian flavor, great for pesto and heat tolerant
- Purple Basil: adds color to salads and cocktails
- Thai Basil: slightly spicy, perfect for curries and stir-fries
- Lemon Basil: bright citrus notes, great for summer drinks and fish dishes
- Italian Cameo Basil – huge leaves, fast growing, great for container growing
You can find indoor-compatible seeds at:
Read more: My Favorite Online Seed Companies
Most indoor gardens come with seeds (with the exception of LetPot).
You can use their included basil seed pods first, then once those are used up, re-plant the indoor garden with your own seeds.
Just make sure to pick up empty pod baskets and additional sponges. I have a more in-depth guide to using your own seeds here.
homemade pesto using basil from my indoor garden
How (and When) to Harvest Basil
Harvesting basil the right way will keep it growing strong for months.
Here’s how:
- Wait until your basil has at least 4–6 sets of leaves
- Snip just above a pair of leaves, using scissors or your fingers
- Harvest regularly: the more you cut, the bushier it grows!
- Avoid pulling off just the large bottom leaves which can stunt the plant
- You want to encourage branching by trimming the tops
More Tips for Growing Basil in a Hydroponic Garden
Refill the water tank before it runs dry. Most indoor gardens have a water-level indicator or alert light.
Add nutrients as directed. Most kits include liquid plant food you add every 2 weeks.
Rotate your basil pods if your grow light isn’t evenly distributed, especially in larger systems.
Snip off flower buds as soon as they appear. Flowers, if left to develop, will shift the plant’s focus to producing seed instead of growing new leaves.
Read more: My Complete Indoor Garden Setup
Guide to Growing Basil Indoors
Here’s a video grow guide covering everything you need to know about growing basil indoors, from seed starting to pruning, harvesting plus lots of basil recipes!
FAQs About Growing Basil Indoors
Can I grow basil indoors all year round?
Yes! With a hydroponic garden and grow lights, basil can thrive 365 days a year.
How long does hydroponic basil last?
Most basil plants stay productive for 6 months.
After that, they will start to flower. If you pinch off the buds and prompt the plant to keep focusing on growing new leaves, it will keep going.
But, if left to flower, the basil leaves often turn bitter so it’s worth restarting with fresh seeds or pods.
Can I grow multiple types of basil at once?
Absolutely. Just make sure each plant has enough space and light!
Lettuce Grow Farmstand, LetPot Max and AeroGarden Bounty are great larger indoor gardens that have enough space to grow several varieties at once.
Read more: The Best Affordable Indoor Gardens
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