How to Grow Basil on a Balcony: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Basil is one of the most rewarding herbs you can grow on a balcony. It grows quickly, smells amazing, and turns everyday meals into something special. With the right pot, soil, and routine, you can keep fresh basil coming for months.

Use this guide together with the planting and harvest logs in my balcony gardening journal (ASIN B0FZVM9K3L) to track how your basil performs from seedling to final harvest.

Step 1: Give Basil the Light It Loves

Basil thrives in warm temperatures and plenty of light. On most balconies it will do best with:

• At least 4–6 hours of direct sun per day.
• Shelter from cold drafts and strong, drying winds.
• Protection from temps below about 50°F (10°C).

Step 2: Choose a Good Container and Potting Mix

Basil doesn’t like cramped roots or soggy soil. A healthy plant starts with:

For more container ideas, see Best Containers for Balcony Herbs.

Step 3: Planting Basil (Seeds or Starts)

Using Small Plants (Starts)

1. Fill your pot with potting mix, leaving a couple inches at the top.
2. Remove the basil start from its nursery pot and gently loosen the roots.
3. Place it in the new pot and backfill with soil up to just below the rim.
4. Water slowly until excess drains out the bottom.

Growing from Seed

1. Fill the pot with moist potting mix.
2. Sow basil seeds on the surface and cover with a thin layer of soil.
3. Keep the soil lightly moist until seedlings appear.
4. Thin seedlings so the strongest plants are a few inches apart.

Step 4: Watering and Feeding Basil

Basil likes consistent moisture but hates “wet feet.” That means:

• Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
• Water deeply until some drains out of the bottom.
• Empty saucers so the pot doesn’t sit in standing water.

Every 3–4 weeks, feed basil with a diluted liquid fertilizer or gentle organic feed. Too much fertilizer can make the plant tall and weak, so go easy.

Step 5: Harvest Basil the Right Way

Proper harvesting actually encourages more growth. Here’s how:

• Wait until the plant has at least 4–6 pairs of leaves.
• Pinch stems just above a pair of leaves, not from the very bottom.
• Never remove more than one-third of the plant at once.
• Remove flower buds as soon as you see them to keep leaves sweeter.

Step 6: Common Basil Problems on Balconies

Most basil issues are easy to fix once you know what to look for:

• Yellowing leaves: Often too much water or poor drainage.
• Drooping in midday sun: Normal in heat; check soil dryness and water if needed.
• Spindly, stretched stems: Not enough light; move to a sunnier spot.
• Leaves losing flavor: Plant may be getting ready to flower—pinch off flower buds.

Grow Basil as Part of a Full Balcony Herb Garden

Basil is just one piece of a thriving balcony garden. Pair it with other easy herbs to create a full “mini kitchen garden” outside your door.

• How to Grow Herbs on a Balcony
• Best Herbs for Balcony Gardens
• Container Herb Gardening Tips