Ocimum basilicum (Sweet basil)
Click the tabs to read more
Comment on a listing
Plant supplier links
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
- View all photos
- Login to upload a photo
My Plants List
Create your own plant list and get plant care reminders direct to your inbox!
My Plant Care
Get more detailed care advice, specific how-to guides and care reminder prompts right to your inbox!
My Garden Match
Check you are planting correctly with our unique garden match tool.
Did you know 30% of new plants purchased die within the first year because they are planted in the wrong place? Don't make that costly and upsetting mistake!
My Questions
Ask a question, make a comment and discuss plants and gardening!
 |
Beginner skill rating |
 |
0.5m max. spread |
 |
0.5m max. height |
 |
1-2 years to maturity |
 |
1 hour care per year |
Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum
Other names: Sweet basil, Lemon basil, Common basil, Greek royal, Kiss-me-Nicholas, Greek basil, Sweet green basil
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to add this plant to your plants list
Genus: Ocimum
Species: O. basilicum - O. basilicum is an aromatic herb with bright green, delicate leaves and spikes of small, tubular white or pink-tinged flowers in late summer.
Ocimum basilicum is: Deciduous
Flower: White, Pink, Insignificant or absent in Summer
Foliage: Bright-green in Summer
Fragrance: The foliage has aromatic leaves
Habit: Clump-forming, Erect
Plant with: Artemisia dracunculus French (French tarragon ), Artemisia dracunculus Russian (Russian tarragon)
Get personalised monthly care reminders with care how-tos specific to this plant.
Watch out for
Specific pests: Aphids , Leafhoppers
Specific diseases: Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning: Pinch out flower heads as they appear to ensure continued leaf growth. If left to flower, cut back after flowering.. REGISTER to read more...
Propagation methods: Seed. REGISTER to read more...
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Ocimum basilicum (Sweet basil) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to match this plant to your garden
Suggested uses: Add to salads, City, Containers, Drying, Flavouring food and drinks, Foliage only
Cultivation: Plant as an annual in light, well-drained, fertile soil in a sheltered position in full sun. Ideally grown in a container or pot . Water freely in summer.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy |  |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | |
| Light: | Full Sun | |
| Aspect: | South, West | |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | |
What Shoot members say...
"The care calender is so useful and there is so much info on so many plants - brilliant!"
Jill, Twitter fan from Dorset
Gardens with this plant
Georgie
Laura Wood
Melissa Isles
Report content or feedback to Shoot
Add ? to your lists
To add this plant to your lists login to your account or register for a new account.
Registration is free and straightforward.
