Everything You Need to Know About Sweet Basil — Care, Propagation & More
Your complete Filipino gardener’s guide to growing, caring for, and harvesting Albahaka — from seed to table.
What Can You Eat?
Discover the edible parts and how Filipinos enjoy this plant in everyday cooking.
Leaves used fresh in salads, pasta, and pesto. Filipino cooks add albahaka to soups, stews, and grilled dishes for aroma. Seeds soaked in water become a refreshing drink (sabja/basil seed drink).
Albahaka is found in almost every Filipino garden — both as a culinary herb and a traditional insect repellent. Placed on windowsills to ward off mosquitoes. The plant is also associated with good luck and prosperity in Filipino folk belief.
Germination Guide
From seed to sprout — here’s what to expect and how to get started.
Planting Instructions
Everything you need to prepare — soil, spacing, depth, and the best Philippine planting months.
Propagation Methods
Learn the best ways to multiply your plants — from seeds to cuttings.
Care Guide
Keep your plant happy and thriving with the right light, water, and nutrients.
Full sun (6-8 hours)
Regular; keep soil moist but not waterlogged
Compost tea every 2 weeks; avoid heavy nitrogen
20-32°C
Moderate; good air circulation prevents fungal issues
Mulch to retain moisture; pinch flower buds to extend leaf harvest.
Harvest Guide
Know when and how to harvest for the best yield and flavor.
Harvest individual leaves or cut stems above a leaf node when plant is 15-20 cm tall.
Use fresh; wrap in damp paper towel for 3-5 days in fridge. Freeze in ice cube trays with olive oil.
Common Problems & Solutions
Spot issues early and fix them fast.
Fusarium wilt
Cause: Soil-borne fungus in warm wet conditions
Solution: Use clean soil; rotate planting spots; choose resistant varieties.
Aphids on growing tips
Cause: Soft new growth attracts aphids
Solution: Spray with soapy water; encourage ladybugs.
Bolting (premature flowering)
Cause: High heat or water stress
Solution: Pinch flower buds; provide afternoon shade in summer.
Damping off seedlings
Cause: Overwatering or poor drainage
Solution: Use sterile seed mix; water from below; ensure airflow.
Perfect Plant Partners
Plants that grow well together.