Can you grow basil indoors year-round?
Written by
Michael Sullivan
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Maintaining basil plants indoors all year long will take intentional alterations to simulate seasonal perseverance. My basil plants thrive through Minnesota winters primarily due to four key aspects of plant care. These aspects are light changes, temperature control, humidity management, and timing propagation. Each of these items counteracts seasonal restrictions and provides continual growth.
Winter Lighting
- Supplement natural light with full-spectrum LEDs
- Maintain 14-hour daily light cycles
- Position lights 6-8 inches above plants
- Use timers for consistent daily schedules
Temperature Control
- Maintain steady 70°F (21°C) year-round
- Use seedling heat mats during cold months
- Insulate windowsills against cold drafts
- Monitor with digital thermometers
Propagation Cycle
- Start new cuttings every 4 weeks
- Root in water near bright windows
- Transplant when roots reach 2 inches
- Maintain 3 generations simultaneously
Maximize winter conditions for persistent growth. Decrease watering frequency by 30% in summer, cluster plants together for shared humidity. Operate humidifiers during the heating season. Mine slow in January but spring back vigorously in February as long as I am consistent.
Establish a continuous propagation system for continuous harvests. You will want to have designated areas: germination station for seeds, rooting zone for cuttings, and top shelf areas for mature plants. Plan it so every 3-4 weeks stems get propagated and separated to replace older plants before finishing their life cycle. This will create a cycle of continuous production.
Manage light transitions between seasons slowly. When changing from winter artificial light to spring sunlight, I introduce plants slowly. I give my plants 2 hours of direct sunlight each day for a week and then increase the time by 1 hour each week. In the fall, I also reverse that process. This is to avoid causing shock. I typically transition over 3 weeks.
Keep track of environmental changes via some elementary devices, position thermometers and hygrometers in proximity to the plants. Note the changes in a designated journal. I even record the weekly modifications that help sustain a homeostasis. That forward-thinking prevents damage to plants and sustains production year-round.
Read the full article: How to Grow Basil Indoors Successfully
