How Much Light Does Basil Need? PPFD & DLI
Likes heat and frequent watering. Prune the top to make it bushier.
- Peak PPFD: 245–380 µmol/m²/s
- Peak DLI: 14–22 mol/m²/d
- Air temperature: 22–28 °C
- Relative humidity: 50–65 %
- VPD target: 0.8–1.2 kPa
- Do not leave the substrate dry for more than 2 days
Targets per growth stage
| Stage | From day | PPFD | DLI | Photoperiod | pH | EC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seedling | 0 | 100–200 µmol/m²/s | 6–12 mol/m²/d | 16 h | 5.8–6.2 | 0.8–1.2 |
| Growth | 14 | 210–310 µmol/m²/s | 12–18 mol/m²/d | 16 h | 5.8–6.2 | 1.4–1.8 |
| Mature | 30 | 245–380 µmol/m²/s | 14–22 mol/m²/d | 16 h | 5.8–6.2 | 1.6–2.2 |
Watering
Loves warmth and frequent waterings. Prune the top for bushy growth.
Sources
- Stallknecht, E. (2025). Calculating and Using Daily Light Integral (DLI): An Introductory Guide. Virginia Cooperative Extension, SPES-720NP — Supports: light targets
- Walters, K.J. & Lopez, R.G. (2023). Modeling purple basil, sage, spearmint, and sweet basil responses to daily light integral and mean daily temperature. PLOS ONE 18(11):e0294905 — Supports: light targets
Values not covered by a source above are common growing practice, not taken from a primary source.