Ocimum basilicum
Common basil, Sweet basil
- Height × spread
- 0.3m × 0.15m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This luscious herb has rounded, rich, green leaves. Basil is one of those subtle summer herbs that has a wonderful warm, fruity and spicy aroma. It is delicious with tomatoes, of course. Interestingly, the ancient Greeks felt the herb had negative qualities associated with abuse and hatred. In fact, it seems to ensure successful propagation the seeds should be subjected to verbal abuse when sown. This should certainly give the neighbours something to talk about!
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.3m
- Spread
- 0.15m
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Scented garden, Herb garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Bee attraction
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Prune to remove flowers
Note: Foliage or flowers? Where luxurious foliage is required, or the flowers are not, to some people, especially attractive (as is often the case with hot-effect grey-foliage plants), remove developing flower stems entirely.
For plants grown for their foliage effect rather than the flowers, developing flower stems can be cut off at their base as they grow.