Ocimum basilicum

A small, deciduous annual herb growing to 0.6m tall and 0.3m wide.

This little herb produces rounded to elliptic, aromatic, bright green leaves. It bears spikes of small white two-lipped flowers in summer.

Prefers full sun with moist but well-drained soil.

Easy to grow from seed but more commonly purchased as small, young plants. Plant in early summer when weather conditions are nice and warm, earlier if you are growing inside. Pinch out the flowering spikes to promote the growth of new leaves rather than flowers. Mulch with an organic mulch to help suppress weeds and retain moisture. If grown for continuous use over the summer months, then staggered sowing of seed or buying of new plants may be required so that new leaves are always fresh, soft and young.

Little maintenance is usually required other than making sure the plants get plenty of sun, protection from slugs and snails, and cool temperatures as frost will kill young plants.

Flowers attract beneficial insects to the garden.

Slugs and snails love basil.

A great companion for asparagus, tomatoes, parsley and apricots.

Herb Garden