How Fast Does Basil Grow?

Annual Herb

• Basil is an annual herb, with some varieties growing to about 2 1/2 feet wide and tall. In some regions, such as India and Asia, basil grows as a perennial. An annual typically grows for one season, while the perennial lasts for several seasons. Crushing the foliage of the basil releases a spicy fragrance, providing distinct flavor to recipes, such as spaghetti sauce.

Seeds

• Basil grows from seeds, sown when the danger of frost has past. It takes about a week for the seeds to germinate. During this time, the seeds need moist soil and temperatures at 70 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer. The young plants will begin to emerge in eight to 14 days. You can begin new basil seeds indoors any time of the year, providing you have the right indoor temperature, and provide sufficient light and moisture. When grown indoors, basil needs at least five hours of direct sunlight or 12 hours of artificial a day. If sowing seeds outside, wait at least a week after that threat of frost has past for best results.

Transplants

• When planting basil in your garden, or starting an indoor herb garden, you can start with transplants instead of seeds, which are young plants. It takes four to six weeks to grow transplants from seeds.

Harvesting

• Pruning basil not only provides fresh herbs for the kitchen, it encourages the plant's growth. Begin pruning when the plant has at least six pairs of leaves. Expect to prune basil every two or three weeks to stimulate its growth. By pinching off the flowers buds as soon as they emerge and regularly pruning, the basil will become bushy, producing a hardy crop.