Ocimum basilicum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- OH-sih-mum bass-IL-ih-kum
- Description
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Ocimum basilicum, commonly referred to as sweet basil, is an herb in the mint family. Native to the tropical regions of Africa and Asia, sweet basil prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soils.
Ornamental varieties often have showy purple foliage, making them perfect for containers. Plant in a bed or window box to create contrasting colored foliage. Miniature varieties are also available which are great for mass plantings along the edge of flower beds.
Sweet basil is easily transplanted and should be done so after the last frost. It is best pruned by pinching the tips of long stems and any flower buds. This promotes the basil to take a branching bushy form. The edible leaves are great in soups, stews, and other meat dishes.
Pests, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, Japanese beetle, and Fusarium wilt.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Vegetable Garden and Pollinator Plants
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Anise'
Ornamental flowers with purple-tinted leaves. Fragrance and taste is similar to anise. 2'-2 1/2' tall. - 'Cinnamon'
Flowers and stems are purple in color. Strong cinnamon fragrance. 2'-2 1/2' tall. - 'Genovese'
Larger leaves than traditional basil. 2' tall. - 'Greek Dwarf'
- 'Purple Ruffles'
- 'Queen of Sheba'
- 'Siam Queen'
Large leaves with purple flowers and stems. Flavor resembles spicy licorice-mint. Winner of the 1997 All American Selection.
- 'Anise'
- 'Anise', 'Cinnamon', 'Genovese', 'Greek Dwarf', 'Purple Ruffles', 'Queen of Sheba', 'Siam Queen'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Anise'
Ornamental flowers with purple-tinted leaves. Fragrance and taste is similar to anise. 2'-2 1/2' tall. - 'Cinnamon'
Flowers and stems are purple in color. Strong cinnamon fragrance. 2'-2 1/2' tall. - 'Genovese'
Larger leaves than traditional basil. 2' tall. - 'Greek Dwarf'
- 'Purple Ruffles'
- 'Queen of Sheba'
- 'Siam Queen'
Large leaves with purple flowers and stems. Flavor resembles spicy licorice-mint. Winner of the 1997 All American Selection.
- 'Anise'
- 'Anise', 'Cinnamon', 'Genovese', 'Greek Dwarf', 'Purple Ruffles', 'Queen of Sheba', 'Siam Queen'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ocimum
- Species:
- basilicum
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical Africa and Asia
- Play Value:
- Fragrance
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Rabbits and deer
- Edibility:
- Leaves and flowers in tea, as flavoring
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 1 ft. 2 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Edible
- Herb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10b, 10a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The small white flowers are lipped in shape. They are arranged in whorled racemes with bracts at the base. Some ornamental varieties have spikes of showy purple flowers. Blooms in late summer.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are bright green and are attached directly to the base of the stem. Simple leaves and opposite in arrangement at right angles to each other. Ovate in shape with smooth margins and slight bulging between the veins. 1/2"-3" in length. Very fragrant. Ornamental varieties may have purple or variegated leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stem is thin and hollow and has a branching tendency. The cross-section is square in shape.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
