How to Use a Basil Plant

Use basil in tomato or Italian dishes.

Basil is an annual culinary herb native to India and Asia where it grows as a perennial. Although Sweet Basil is the best known and most widely grown, there are over 40 varieties that range from ruffled purple basil to miniatures that can be grown in a pot. Flavor varies from the traditional peppery to cinnamon or lemon. Used as a seasoning, this culinary herb imparts distinct flavor, but that's not the only use for basil.

Things You'll Need

• Garden clippers
• Vegetable oil
• Homemade soap recipe
• Potpourri recipe

Instructions

1. Harvest basil before blooming occurs, as this is when it is most pungent. Prune basil every two to three weeks. Use Sweet Basil to season tomato or Italian dishes, in stir-fries or to add a little zip to sauces and stews.

2. Plant basil in the flower garden as an ornamental plant. Adding several varieties adds texture to the garden bed, as leaves vary from large ruffled leaves in purple or gold to smooth pale-green leaves. When in bloom basil attracts butterflies and flying insects to you garden adding movement and color.

3. Add fresh basil to vegetable oil to create flavored oil for stir fry or other culinary uses. The Oregon State University cautions that oils made with fresh herbs must be refrigerated and used within three weeks to prevent food poisoning -- but states that oil made with dried herbs can be stored safely at room temperature.

4. Add dried basil leaves to homemade soaps or candles for fragrance -- or add to potpourri to add fragrance to the home. You can dry basil on screens set outdoors in the sun or hang bunches upside down with twine in a dark, dry and well-ventilated room indoors.

Tips & Warnings

• Harvest basil in the morning when the essential oils are the most pungent.

• Cut back basil to encourage new growth after blooming. Allow 6 to 8 leaves on the stock when cutting back.

• Do not over-fertilize herbs as this may decrease the amount of oils responsible for fragrance and flavor.

References

• Oregon State University Extension; Herbs and Vegetables in Oil; May 2009
• Ohio State University Extension; Growing, Selecting and Using Basil; Jeanne Youger;

Resources

• University of Rhode Island; Growing, Harvesting and Using Culinary Herbs; Gary Goa et al, 2000