Botanical name
Ocimum basilicum
Other names
Sweet basil, Lemon basil, Common basil, Greek royal, Kiss-me-Nicholas, Greek basil, Sweet green basil
Genus
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.
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
The foliage has aromatic leaves
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect
COLOUR
Flower
White, Pink, Insignificant or absent in Summer
Foliage
Bright-green in Summer
HOW TO CARE
Watch out for
Specific pests
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Pinch out flower heads as they appear to ensure continued leaf growth. If left to flower, cut back after flowering.
Propagation methods
Seed
WHERE TO GROW
Ocimum basilicum (Sweet basil) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
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.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered