How much sun does a basil plant need?

Basil plants require from 6 to 8 hours of sunshine each day. They grow best in the morning sun and benefit from afternoon shade, when the day is at its hottest.

Basil is a hardy herb which grows rapidly in the spring and summer. It can thrive in a garden or in a pot as long as the soil is at a pH of between 6 to 7 and the soil is well drained. When planted in a garden, keep each plant between 12 and 18 inches apart, and no matter where it's grown, basil requires an organic fertilizer to remain healthy.