How to Grow Chinese Basil

Choose a sunny location for your Chinese basil. It also grows well in partial shade. The soil must be moist but well-drained and rich in organic matter. Work the soil to a fine texture, using a garden tiller and rake.

Plant seeds inside in pots 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost of the year. Place the pots in a sunny window and keep them at 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Alternatively, plant the seeds outside after the last frost. Press the seeds into the fine soil. Do not cover them with dirt because the seeds need sunlight to germinate.

Keep the soil fairly moist during the growing season, but do not let it remain soggy.

Remove spent flowers immediately after they wilt. Chinese basil seeds can spread around the area and become invasive to the rest of the garden and beyond.

Propagate established Chinese basil plants by cutting off a few of the stems. Freshly cut Chinese basil can be used for propagation. Plant the stems directly into the ground or into pots. Bury at least one leaf node in the soil. Because Chinese basil is an annual, propagating cuttings in pots inside will help it survive through the winter. In areas that have warm winters where temperatures stay above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, it is not necessary to bring them inside.