Ocimum
Basil
- Height × spread
- 0.3m – 0.3m × 0.15m – 0.15m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
The culinary herb basil is one of around 35 species of annuals, perennials and shrubby plants. They originate in tropical parts of Asia. The plants are generally aromatic and have been primarily grown for their culinary value. A number of more ornamental forms have been developed that have coloured foliage in brighter shades of green or purple. There are forms with more decorative foliage that is pleasantly ruffled or crisped. They are often grown in containers, perhaps on the kitchen windowsill, and are added to a number of dishes, especially those with a Mediterranean theme.
- Flower colour
- Lilac, Pink, Purple, White
- Foliage colour
- Green, Purple, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.3m – 0.3m
- Spread
- 0.15m – 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
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bee attraction
- Hazards
- No
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.
Found in
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Ocimum basilicum var. purpurascens 'Red Rubin'
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