You can grow basil indoors with no sunlight as long as you replace sun with the two things basil actually needs: bright, consistent artificial light and warmth. Most indoor basil fails because it’s kept on a dim windowsill and watered like a houseplant.

Quick answer: grow basil indoors with no sunlight

• Use a full-spectrum grow light 6–12 inches (15–30cm) above the plant

• Aim for 12–16 hours of light daily (consistent schedule)

• Keep basil warm (18–26°C is ideal) and away from cold drafts

• Water when the top 2–3cm of compost is dry (don’t keep it soggy)

• Pinch tips often to keep it bushy and prevent early flowering

Do this first: Put basil under a grow light today — low light is the main reason it goes leggy and weak indoors.

If you’re not sure how far to place the light or how long to run it, Grow Light Placement makes the setup simple.

Why basil struggles indoors without sun

Basil is a high-light herb. Without enough light, it becomes:

• leggy (long stems, wide gaps)

• pale (lighter green leaves)

• slow (little new growth)

• more prone to pests and mildew

A grow light fixes this, but basil also needs warmth and good watering rhythm to stay healthy.

The easiest setup to grow basil indoors with no sunlight

You don’t need anything fancy — just a reliable light and a simple routine.

Light (the non-negotiable)

Basil needs bright light intensity. For most homes, a dedicated grow light is the difference between “survives” and “thrives”.

A full-spectrum LED grow light panel gives basil the consistent light it needs on darker shelves or kitchens.

Best placement: 15–30cm above the top leaves, adjusted as it grows.
Best schedule: 12–16 hours on, then a dark period.

Warmth (often overlooked)

Basil hates cold. If it sits near a cold window overnight, growth slows and leaves can blacken.

Good signs your basil is warm enough:

• leaves stay perky and soft

• new growth appears weekly

• stems don’t go limp after watering

How to plant basil indoors for strong growth

Choose the right pot size

Basil roots like a bit of space, but oversized pots stay wet too long.

• Small basil plant: 12–15cm pot

• Multiple plants: 18–22cm pot (or split them into separate pots)

A simple indoor plant pot with drainage and saucer helps avoid soggy compost indoors (which is one of the quickest ways basil dies).

Use a light, free-draining mix

Basil wants even moisture, but it must drain well. Heavy compost indoors leads to root problems.

If your pots stay wet for days, Improve Indoor Plant Drainage is a helpful fix list (it’s not just a basil problem).

Watering basil indoors without sunlight (the easy rule)

Basil doesn’t like extremes.

Water when: the top 2–3cm feels dry
Avoid: keeping the pot constantly wet

Indoor basil often fails because:

• low light + constant wet compost = weak roots

• weak roots = droopy basil and yellowing leaves

If you want a simple routine so you don’t forget checks (and overcorrect), Indoor Plant Maintenance Routine fits nicely here.

Feeding basil indoors (don’t overdo it)

Basil doesn’t need heavy feeding, but indoors it can benefit from light nutrition once it’s growing steadily.

A gentle option that’s hard to overdo is a seaweed plant feed liquid, used diluted every couple of weeks.

If you want to understand indoor feeding without guesswork, Liquid Fertilizer explains the basics in plain English.

Pinching and pruning: the secret to bushy basil

Basil grows best when you pinch early.

How to pinch:

• Find a stem with 2–3 leaf pairs

• Snip just above a leaf pair

• The plant splits into two new stems (bushier growth)

If you want a simple pruning routine that applies to herbs and houseplants, How to Prune Indoor Plants is a solid next read.

Basil does best with regular harvesting and warm, bright growing conditions — University of Maryland Extension’s basil growing advice also highlights that basil thrives with consistent pinching/harvesting and plenty of light.

Long-tail mini sections (quick answers)

Why is my indoor basil tall and floppy?

Almost always not enough light. Move the light closer and increase daily hours.

If you want a clear overview of what counts as “enough light”, Best Lights for Indoor Gardening breaks it down simply.

Why are basil leaves turning yellow indoors?

Common causes:

• soggy compost

• cold nights

• low light

• overfeeding

Can I grow basil from supermarket basil indoors?

Yes, but supermarket pots are crowded. Split into smaller clumps and repot.

FAQs About Growing Basil Indoors With No Sunlight

Can basil grow under normal LED room lights?

Usually not well. Room lights are too weak. Basil needs a proper grow light close to the plant.

How many hours should grow lights be on for basil?

12–16 hours daily is a good range.

Should basil be near a window if there’s no sun?

It can be, but cold drafts and low light can still cause problems. A grow light is more reliable.

Do I need to rotate basil under a grow light?

If light comes from one direction, yes. If it’s overhead, less important.

Final Thoughts on Growing Basil Indoors With No Sunlight

You can absolutely grow basil indoors with no sunlight — just treat light like a “sun replacement”. Keep the grow light close enough, run it long enough each day, keep basil warm, and water only when the top layer dries. Once you start pinching regularly, basil becomes one of the easiest indoor herbs to keep productive.

Related Articles

• Best Lights for Indoor Gardening

• How to Prune Indoor Plants