Basil (Ocimum basilicum) — aromatic plant.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) – aromatic plant. Basil is the aromatic herb par excellence, with fragrant leaves used fresh in cooking; sensitive to cold.
Benefits
- Aromatic leaves for the kitchen
- Attracts bees and pollinators
Seasonal care
- Spring: Start of the growing season: apply a suitable fertiliser and provide full sun.
- Summer: Water moderately.
- Autumn: Autumn is a good time for planting; gradually reduce watering.
- Winter: Frost-sensitive (down to about 5°C) – overwinter it in a bright, cool place.
Specifications
- Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum
- Botanical family: Lamiaceae
- Life cycle: Annual
- Foliage: Semi-evergreen
- Exposure: Sun
- Placement: Outdoors
- Growth rate: Medium
- Minimum temperature: 5 °C
- Drought resistance: Medium
- Mature height: 25-45 cm
- Mature width: 25-50 cm
- Flowering period: Summer
- Flower colour: White/purple
- Fragrance: Aromatic foliage
- Soil: Well drained, slightly chalky
- pH: 6,0-7,5
- Watering: Moderate
- Fertilising: Light, in spring
- Pruning: Regular harvesting
- Mulching: Optional
- Product code: 4011012
- EAN code: 6420384011012
Warnings
- Sensitive to cold – keep outdoors only in summer
- Pinch out the tips for a bushy plant
- Regular watering, without excess
Frequently asked questions
Does it survive winter outdoors?
Not entirely – it is frost-sensitive (down to about 5°C); in northern regions it should be sheltered in winter or grown in a pot.
What exposure and watering does it prefer?
Sun; moderate watering. Basil is the aromatic herb par excellence, with fragrant leaves used fresh in cooking; sensitive to cold.
When does it flower?
Flowering period: summer.
