🌱 How I Grow Basil in Recycled Containers (and Never Run Out of Fresh Leaves)

Basil has always been one of my favorite herbs to grow. Not only because it’s easy, but because I love walking outside, plucking a few leaves, and adding them straight into my cooking. There’s something so satisfying about knowing the pesto on my pasta or the fresh garnish on my salad came from my own garden.

When I first started gardening, I didn’t have fancy pots or raised beds. I used whatever I could find around the house—old buckets, cut-off bottles, even worn-out sacks. To my surprise, basil thrived in them! Over the years, I’ve learned that basil is one of those forgiving, joyful plants that rewards you quickly if you give it just a little love.

Let me share exactly how I grow basil, what varieties I love, and the little tricks I’ve picked up to keep my plants producing fresh, fragrant leaves all year round.

🍃 Why I Always Grow Basil

For me, basil is more than just a kitchen herb—it’s a garden essential. Every time I crush a leaf between my fingers, the smell lifts my mood instantly. I use it almost daily, whether I’m making pasta, tossing it into tomato soup, blending pesto, or even brewing a refreshing basil tea on hot afternoons.

But the best part? Basil helps the rest of my garden too. I’ve noticed that when I plant basil near my tomatoes, the tomatoes taste sweeter and I see fewer pests. It feels like basil is both a protector and a flavor booster.

Since I live in South Africa where the climate is warm for much of the year, basil grows like a dream outdoors. But even when I bring it inside, a sunny windowsill is enough to keep it thriving. Honestly, if I could only grow one herb forever, basil would be my choice.

🌱 My Favorite Basil Varieties

Over the years, I’ve experimented with many types of basil, and each one has its own personality:

🌿 Sweet Basil – This is my go-to for pasta and pizza. It’s the most classic flavor.
🌿 Genovese Basil – The leaves are bigger, and it makes the silkiest pesto.
🌿 Thai Basil – Spicy, with that licorice-like flavor. I use it in stir-fries and curries.
🌿 Lemon Basil – My favorite for teas and salads because of its citrus kick.
🌿 Purple Basil – Honestly, I grow this partly because it looks gorgeous in the garden.

I usually grow at least two types at a time. That way, I have variety in flavor (and color!) for different dishes.

🪴 How I Grow Basil in Recycled Containers

I’m a big fan of upcycling. Not only does it save money, but it also makes my garden more creative and eco-friendly. Basil is the perfect plant for this because it doesn’t mind growing in unusual containers as long as there’s good soil and drainage.

Step 1: Preparing the Container

I’ve used everything from 2-liter bottles to paint buckets. The most important step is making drainage holes—at least 4–5 at the bottom. Basil hates sitting in soggy soil. I usually fill the container with a mix of compost and good potting soil.

Step 2: Planting Seeds or Seedlings

Sometimes I start from seed, sometimes from nursery seedlings. Seeds are easy—just sprinkle them about half a centimeter deep and keep the soil moist. They usually pop up within a week in warm weather. If I’m planting seedlings, I wait until nights are warmer than 10°C so they don’t get stressed.

Step 3: Watering and Feeding

I water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Early on, I made the mistake of overwatering and ended up with droopy, unhappy plants. Now I know better: basil likes moisture but not waterlogging. Every couple of weeks, I give it a boost with compost tea or an organic fertilizer, and the difference in leaf size is amazing.

Step 4: Sunlight and Care

Basil loves the sun. Mine do best with at least 6 hours of direct light. Indoors, I keep them by a sunny window, and when it’s cloudy for too long, I sometimes use a grow light. One thing I learned the hard way: always pinch off flower buds. If basil flowers too early, the leaves lose flavor.

✂️ My Secret to Endless Basil: Pruning

The first time I grew basil, I didn’t prune it properly. It shot up tall, got leggy, and didn’t give me nearly as many leaves as I wanted. Then I learned the trick: prune often and prune smart.

I start pinching when the plant has about 4–6 sets of leaves. I always cut just above a leaf node, and like magic, the plant splits into two new branches. By repeating this, I turn one skinny basil stalk into a bushy, leaf-filled plant.

Honestly, pruning feels like free multiplication. Every cut gives me more basil later.

🌸 Preventing Bolting (Flowering Too Soon)

South African summers can get very hot, and that’s when basil tries to flower. Once it does, the leaves turn bitter. I make it a habit to check daily for flower buds and pinch them off right away. During heatwaves, I water more often and harvest extra to keep the plant focused on growing leaves.

🥫 How I Preserve Basil

Even though fresh basil is unbeatable, I don’t like to waste the extra harvest. Here’s what I do:

🌿 Drying – I tie bunches and hang them upside down in a dark corner.
❄️ Freezing – I chop leaves, pack them in ice cube trays with olive oil, and freeze. These cubes are perfect for cooking later.
🥣 Pesto – My favorite! I blend basil, garlic, nuts, and oil, then freeze in small jars. Anytime I want pasta, I just defrost one.

Between freezing and making pesto, I never run out of basil flavor, even in the colder months.

🌼 Why I Plant Basil Near Tomatoes

I’ve noticed something amazing: when basil and tomatoes grow together, both seem happier. The tomatoes taste richer, and basil keeps pests like aphids and whiteflies away. I usually plant them side by side in buckets or in the garden bed, and the results are always better than growing them separately.

🎨 Fun Container Ideas I’ve Tried

Since I love DIY gardening, I’ve had fun experimenting:

🌱 A vertical “bottle tower” where I stacked bottles to grow basil upward.
🎨 Old painted tires that made colorful planters.
👜 Hanging sacks with basil spilling out the sides.
🪣 Mixing basil with parsley and chives in a bucket for a ready-to-pick herb combo.

These projects not only save space but also make my little garden more creative and joyful.

❓ FAQ – What I Get Asked Most

Q: How much sunlight does basil need?
At least 6 hours daily. Mine thrive with 8.

Q: How often should I water?
When the top inch of soil feels dry. Never let basil sit in soggy soil.

Q: Can I grow basil indoors all year?
Yes, as long as you give it enough light and a little fertilizer now and then.

🌟 Final Thoughts

Basil has become such a central part of my gardening routine. It’s easy, forgiving, and endlessly useful. I love that I can grow it in recycled containers, harvest it almost daily, and still have enough left over to preserve.

For me, basil is more than just a herb. It’s a reminder that gardening doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive—you can start with just a bottle, a bit of soil, and a few seeds. And in return, you get flavor, fragrance, and joy.

So if you haven’t tried growing basil yet, I encourage you to give it a go. I promise, once you taste that first homegrown leaf, you’ll be hooked just like I was. 🌿

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🌿 How to Grow Basil at Home Using Recycled Containers