Sweet Basil
Ocimum basilicum
Also known as
Wild Basil, Basil, Red-Leaved Basil, Bush basil, Dark opal basil, Common basil
Photo by CandideUK (All rights reserved)
Full Sun
Easy care
Moderate watering
Tender
H4-H1c
RHS hardiness
-10°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
90cm | Max | 60cm |
20cm | Min | 20cm |
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has a mild fragrance
More images of Sweet Basil
Sweet Basil Overview
Ocimum basilicum is known as Sweet Basil, it is an aromatic annual or biennial herb with a strong flavour that is used heavily in Italian cuisine. This is a great choice for baking due to its sweet taste. Easy to grow, maintain and can be grown in a container indoors. Sweet Basil can also be grown as an ornamental, it produces pretty, small white-pink flowers, with some cultivars producing more showy blooms. An infusion is used as a homoeopathic medicine to soothe a cough or treat cramping.
Common problems with Sweet Basil
Japanese beetles, and earwigs.
Sweet Basil Companion Plants
How to harvest Sweet Basil
Start harvesting the leaves when the plant is about 20 cm in height, pinch off flowers to lengthen the harvesting period. Leaves can be dried or preserved in olive oil.
How to propagate Sweet Basil
Seed
Sow seeds shallowly indoors in winter or outside from Springtime. Germination takes 7-14 days.
Cuttings
Take a 10 cm stem cutting from just below a leaf node from a stem that hasn't flowered. Remove the leaves 5 cm from the bottom end. Plant 5 cm deep. Keep moist or keep in a glass of water until well-rooted!
Special features of Sweet Basil
Crop rotation
Basil is a medium feeder and needs a moderate amount of nutrients.
Pot plant
Can be grown in a container provided it is large enough.
Indoor plant
Can be grown in a container indoors provided it receives a minimum of 6 hours of light and a moderate amount of water.
Attractive leaves
Edible leaves
Attracts bees
Attracts butterflies
Other uses of Sweet Basil
Culinary, fragrance, conservatory
Culinary
Sweet Basil can be used for various culinary dishes, including salads, vinaigrette, and pizzas. It is a popular ingredient of pesto.
Insect repellant
Strong scent deters mosquitoes and flies.
Medicinal
A basil infusion is also used to soothe a cough or treat cramping.
Deer Resistant Plants
Although never fully deer proof - they are less likely to eat these.
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