Basil comes in so many cool varieties, from classic bright greens to deep, moody purples. But did you know you can actually train certain green varieties into a miniature tree? It’s a total conversation starter for your kitchen or patio. Here’s how you can grow your very own basil topiary.
Buying a Basil Tree
Sometimes you’ll spot these “basil trees” at high-end garden centers or specialty nurseries sold as a rare find. If you’ve just brought one home, your first job is to make sure it’s happy. Take a peek at the bottom of the pot—if you see roots poking out of the drainage holes, it’s time for repotting .
When moving your tree to a new home, use a high-quality herb potting mix. Since these mixes are often light on nutrients, I recommend mixing in some organic slow-release fertilizer , like horn meal, to keep it fed. Also, don’t rush it outside into the direct sun! Give your new plant a few days in partial shade to acclimate, or those tender leaves might get a nasty sunburn.
Your basil tree will be happiest at around 70°F (20°C). You can keep it outdoors during the summer or let it live on a sunny windowsill year-round. Just remember to water consistently with room-temperature, filtered water (basil isn’t a fan of cold showers or heavy lime!).
How to Grow Your Own Basil Tree
Want to try a fun garden DIY? Growing your own basil tree from a standard potted plant is a rewarding little project. Here’s my step-by-step guide:
- Gently remove the basil plants from their store-bought pot and shake off most of the old soil.
- Pick out the strongest, tallest individual seedling from the bunch.
- Fill a fresh pot with high-quality soil . Coconut coir or any well-draining potting mix works great.
- Mix in some organic fertilizer (like horn meal) to give your “tree” the energy it needs to grow.
- Carefully plant your chosen seedling and place a small bamboo stake or flower stick right next to the stem.
- Secure the stem to the stake with a soft tie so it grows nice and straight.
- Strip off all the lower leaves, leaving only about three pairs of leaves at the very top.
- Keep an eye out for flower buds! If you see a bud forming, pinch it off immediately. If it flowers, the “trunk” will stop growing taller.
- If you want a taller tree, pick the strongest side shoot at the top and train it upward against the stake as the new main trunk.
- Maintenance is key: keep rubbing off any new leaves or side shoots that try to grow along the trunk.
- To get that bushy “tree crown” look, regularly pinch back the tips of the top branches. This encourages the plant to branch out and get thick.
- As your tree gets bigger, plan on repotting it every few months to give the roots room to breathe.
Quick Tip: You can actually try to overwinter your basil tree! They do best in a heated sunroom or a very bright, warm spot indoors during the chilly months.