You will need basil seeds, a pot or seed tray, and a well-draining seed compost or potting soil.
Fill the pot or tray with the compost or soil and lightly pat it down.
Sprinkle the basil seeds evenly over the soil. They don't need to be buried, but you can lightly cover them with a thin layer of soil if desired.
Water the seeds lightly but thoroughly. The soil should be moist but not waterlogged.
Place the pot in a warm, bright location. Basil seeds need warmth to germinate, so maintaining a temperature around 70°F (21°C) would be ideal.
The seeds should start to germinate in about 5 to 10 days.
Once the seedlings have developed a couple of sets of true leaves, thin them so that each plant has enough room to grow.
Keep the soil moist and provide your plants with plenty of light. Rotate the pot regularly to ensure all sides of the plant get equal exposure to light.
You can start harvesting when the plants are 6 to 8 inches tall. Always harvest by pinching off a few leaves at a time.