Why are my Basil plants growing so thin?

I planted some basil seeds in a pot (potting soil) and set it on my window sill. All of the seeds germinated and have grown to about 3 inches, they or VERY thin little sprouts with 2 leaves at the end. I thought maybe they weren't getting enough sunlight so I put them outside but within 5 minutes they were wilting in the sun so I put them back indoors and they recovered. What should I do to generate growth? They were planted 3 weeks ago.

Why are my Basil plants growing so thin?
Don't pinch them back, as the leaves are what manufacture the food...and since they only have one set it will kill them!



Second...they need more light, but aren't ready to be put outside in the full sun.



They need to be 'hardened off' first. Put them outside in a shady spot. The light outside in the shade will be stronger that the light they are receiving from the window. Give them a couple of days like this, then move them to a slightly brighter (sunnier) spot. again take your time, as to much sun will burn these tender little plants up. Be careful that the soil doesn't dry out while they are in this adjustment period.



It will probably take you about ten days to get them acclimated to the outdoors, then you can transplant them to where they will be growing.



Once they are planted, you can pinch back the tops so the plants will be fuller. Also when they begin to bloom pinch the blooms off so the plant keeps producing leaves.



Hope this helps.
Reply:Did you pinch back the top ? If you don't do that you'll end up with leggy plants.



When you're ready to put it outside you will need to first put it in filtered shade, maybe under a tree, and only gradually introduce it to direct sun, making sure to water and tend to it as it gets used to the outdoors.
Reply:Give them a little fertiliser, and make sure there thinned out, and getting enough sunlight. You might put them in a bigger pot also.Bye
Reply:Your plants need more sun and they need to be transplanted. A basil plant is a full sun plant. When you germinated them they were in filtered light (even if they were in a south window). I would transplant them in to 4 inch pots and bury the stem up to the first leaves. Be careful as the plants are brittle. Then put them outside in morning sun and gradually get them used to more sun. You can feed them with a liquid plant food at this time also. Just remember if a little is good more is NOT better. In a week (weather and climate permitting) they should be ready to set out in the ground. If you are just going to container garden use one plant to an 8 inch pot. Use the leaves fresh (pesto) and the leaves will freeze well for later use.