I tried Alan Titchmarsh’s basil growing tips and my plant is thriving

I followed Alan Titchmarsh’s advice all summer, and my plant has never looked better

Herbs rank among the simplest and most satisfying plants to grow, offering fresh flavours, delightful scents and numerous culinary applications. Whether nurtured in a garden bed or on a windowsill, most herbs flourish when given the correct balance of sunlight and moisture.

Basil stands out as one of Britain’s most beloved herbs, prized for its adaptability and aromatic foliage.

Gardening authority Alan Titchmarsh recently revealed his essential guidance for cultivating robust basil in a YouTube video for GrowForItHQ. His straightforward recommendations helped me establish my own basil and transform it into a flourishing plant throughout the summer months.

He said: “Basil plants need plenty of sunlight and are prone to fungus if they’re planted too close together.

“So I’m spacing my plants 10cm apart so they get air circulating around them.”

“It’s a wonderful job doing this. You get glorious aromas assailing your nostrils. It tends to be one of those herbs that loves it warm and sunny and then shrivels up come the colder weather, but when it’s like this, perfect basil weather.”

After completing his planting, Alan said he had a “lovely herb pot that looks good on the table”, noting that it works brilliantly in numerous dishes.

Taking Alan’s guidance on board, I divided my basil plant to give each stem more room and improve airflow.

I also relocated it to a sunnier position where it could absorb ample sunshine, which basil requires to prosper. Throughout warmer spells, I have ensured the plant receives regular watering to prevent the soil from becoming parched.

This is particularly crucial given that it is growing in a container, which tends to dry out more rapidly than plants in beds.

Since implementing these straightforward adjustments, my basil has appeared considerably healthier and more robust, displaying far more vibrant foliage — ideal for topping pizzas and salads.

To promote bushier growth, I also intend to nip the tops of the stems off rather than allowing the plant to grow excessively tall.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), basil plants grown in containers can become depleted of nutrients, making it essential to use an organic-based, balanced liquid fertiliser to stimulate leafy growth.

They added: “Avoid using potassium-rich fertilisers like tomato feed, as these encourage flowering.”