The Benefits of Basil: Why Every Garden Needs This Versatile Herb
If there is any plant you must have in your garden, it’s basil. Basil is one of the most versatile herbs with a comprehensive range of benefits that extends past the kitchen table. With numerous varieties to choose from, basil is a must-have for any gardener.
Some of my favorite ways to use basil include companion planting, cooking, and natural pest control—plus several more that we’ll explore in depth below.
Basil is one of my favorite herbs to grow, and for good reason. Once transplanted or sown, it quickly takes off, filling the garden with its fragrant leaves and countless benefits. Basil adds a pleasant pop of color and aroma to your garden that draws in necessary pollinators and insects, while repelling pests.
If you've never grown basil from seed or cuttings, now is the perfect time to start. Whether indoors, outdoors, or in hydroponic setups, basil is one of the easiest herbs to cultivate—and once you do, you won’t look back!
Types of Basil
Whether you're planting Genovese basil for classic pesto, Thai basil for bold flavors, or purple basil for a unique garden twist, this beneficial herb thrives with minimal effort. Personally, I’ve grown Genovese or Sweet basil, Thai, & Lemon Basil. Last season, I grew a mix of basil types to experiment with different flavor profiles, explore their unique benefits, and add a vibrant selection of colors and fragrances to my garden.
Each basil variety brought something special to my garden. Genovese basil had the classic aroma and rich flavor perfect for homemade pesto and pastas, while Thai basil added a slightly spicy, anise-like taste that elevated stir-fries. Lemon basil, with its refreshing citrusy notes, became a favorite for summer salads and homemade balms.
Beyond their culinary uses, I also noticed differences in how they grew. Thai basil, for instance, seemed to handle the heat better and flowered more quickly, attracting pollinators throughout the season. It also added a striking pop of color among my green plants, making my garden even more vibrant.
If you're new to growing basil, I’d recommend starting with Genovese or Sweet basil for its versatility and growing ease. If you love experimenting with flavors, Thai or lemon basil can be great additions. And for those looking to enhance their garden’s beauty while still enjoying a flavorful harvest, purple or cinnamon basil are worth a try, although I have yet to grow these.
Companion Planting
Basil thrives alongside most crops and becomes even more beneficial as it matures. With regular harvesting, it branches out and takes on a bushy growth habit. Last season, my basil plants grew over a foot tall and nearly a foot wide, developing thick, sturdy stems that made them more resilient to heat and weather fluctuations. Not only did I have an abundance of basil to harvest, cook with, and store, but the larger plants also acted as natural ground cover, helping to retain moisture in my garden beds during the hottest days.
In addition to retaining moisture, basil also enhances soil quality. When planted alongside crops like tomatoes and peppers, it helps stimulate beneficial soil microbes that play a key role in nutrient cycling. This process breaks down organic matter, releasing essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—key elements for healthy plant growth and productive harvests.
Beyond soil health, basil’s strong aroma can subtly infuse neighboring plants with its essential oils, enhancing their flavor profiles. This is especially valuable in culinary gardens. Last season, I noticed a remarkable difference in my tomatoes—those surrounded by basil developed richer, more robust flavors compared to the previous year when I had only a single basil plant nearby.
One of my favorite ways to incorporate basil into my garden is with the holy trinity of plants—Basil, Tomato, and Marigolds. It adds the perfect blend of companion planting and visual beauty in any set up.
There are just a few exceptions where some plants do not do well planted next to basil. They are sage, cucumbers, or other vining plants due to competition for resources and pest pressure.
Pest Repellent
Speaking of pest pressure, basil serves as both a natural repellent and an effective trap crop. A trap crop is a plant that attracts harmful insects, keeping them away from more vulnerable crops. Basil naturally repels pests like aphids, mosquitoes, flies, and tomato hornworms, helping to protect plants from damage and disease. As mentioned earlier, while basil’s strong aroma is pleasant to us, it deters critters like tomato hornworms that can wreak havoc on tomato plants.
In my first year of growing tomatoes, I only had a single basil and tomato plant, and unfortunately, an aphid infestation left me with just three tomatoes—for the entire season. However, last season, I grew about eight tomato plants alongside an equal number of basil plants. The difference was incredible—I never experienced aphids, and I only spotted two hornworms late in the season after cutting back my basil for a final harvest.
Another great use for basil in pest control is as a homemade repellent spray. Steeping fresh basil leaves in boiling water for a few hours creates a natural solution that can be sprayed onto plants to deter pests. While I haven’t tried this method yet, I’ve heard it works exceptionally well in organic gardening.
Attracts Pollinators
When allowed to flower, basil attracts a variety of beneficial pollinators. Like most flowers, basil produces nectar that bees, butterflies, and more absolutely love. The increased presence of these pollinators also gets them near your neighboring plants, like tomatoes, so that they can be pollinated and produce fruit.
Pollinators can quite literally swarm your basil plants, so pay attention before touching the basil or harvesting it to avoid accidentally upsetting or deterring pollinators. I experienced this once my basil plants grew to an incredible size. It made it a bit more challenging to harvest but I was glad to see my other crops getting the necessary pollinating attention they needed to grow.
Thai basil, Lemon basil, and Holy basil are some of the best varieties to plant to attract pollinators. The later of the three is more commonly used as a medicinal herb and is sacred in Hinduism.
My only recommendation is to regularly keep up with the flowers, as if allowed to fully flower or for too long, the plant may begin to self-seed and die back.
Ease of Growing & Propagation
Basil thrives in nearly all garden set ups, whether it be container gardening, raised beds, in-ground, indoor—with adequate lighting—or outdoor. Once established, basil grows prolifically, making it easy to take cuttings for propagation. Cuttings are simply harvested sections of a plant that can develop roots and grow into a new plant. To increase success, you can dip the cut end into a rooting hormone before planting it in soil, which helps encourage faster root development.
Ensure that basil has warm, well-draining soil when planting. Harvesting or taking cuttings regularly promotes bushier growth. Only harvest up to 1/3 of the basil at a time to avoid shocking it.
Culinary Benefits & Recipes
Basil is a staple ingredient in many cuisines around the world. Freshly harvested basil elevates homemade sauces, pestos, salads, and pasta dishes with vibrant, aromatic flavor. Whether used fresh or preserved, homegrown basil offers a noticeable difference in taste compared to store-bought—though, to be fair, this applies to just about anything grown in your own garden.
You can use a dehydrator to dry basil for preservation. Dried basil from the grocery store can cost anywhere from $3 to $6 dollars, which is insane! Growing your own basil not only saves money but also provides an abundant harvest that can be used fresh, dried, or frozen to enjoy year-round. I have about 5 large bags of basil in my freezer from this summer. It makes the perfect addition to dishes long after harvest.
One of my biggest projects last year was making my own infused balm from scratch. Using basil, lavender, and rosemary from my garden, I carefully dried the herbs and infused them in olive oil for several weeks. Once the infusion was ready, I combined it with melted beeswax and coconut oil before pouring it into tins. The scent and quality far surpassed any store-bought balms, but what made it truly special was knowing that every ingredient came from my own hard work and dedication. This project deepened my love for gardening, and the balms turned out to be incredible for skin and lips—plus, they made perfect holiday gifts! I’d love to share the recipe in a future post with some helpful tips!
Starting from Seed Tips
Basil seeds should be sown shallowly, as they need light to germinate. With the right conditions, seedlings will emerge quickly, and you’ll have thriving plants in no time.
Planting Depth: Sow seeds ¼ inch deep and lightly cover with soil.
Germination Time: Seeds typically sprout in 5–10 days with warm temperatures.
Temperature Needs: Ideal soil temperature is 65–85°F (18–29°C) for best germination. You can use a heating mat to help.
Light Requirements: Basil thrives in full sun (6–8 hours per day).
Spacing: Once seedlings are established, thin them to 6–12 inches apart for optimal growth.
Please check the specific variety for its individual needs, although the above tips should generally cover most. Starting indoors or outdoor sowing will depend on your growing zone and basil type.
Basil is truly one of the most rewarding herbs to grow, offering benefits that go far beyond the kitchen. From enhancing soil health and repelling pests to improving the flavor of neighboring plants and providing an abundance of fresh herbs for culinary and medicinal uses, basil is a must-have in any garden. Whether you're growing it for companion planting, homemade remedies, or simply to enjoy its fresh, vibrant taste, this versatile herb is easy to cultivate and endlessly useful. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend adding basil to your garden—you’ll quickly see just how valuable it can be! And if you’re interested in trying your hand at infused balms, stay tuned for a future post where I’ll share my recipe and tips!
Some images by FreePik.
