Key Features
- Fragrant basil variety with lush green foliage and a fresh herbal aroma.
- Produces attractive green leaves ideal for kitchen and container gardens.
- Compact, leafy growth works well in herb beds, raised beds, and pots.
- Excellent choice for fresh culinary use, garnishes, sauces, and salads.
- Warm-season herb that adds beauty, fragrance, and usefulness to home gardens.
Growing Benefits
- Enjoy fresh basil leaves straight from your home garden.
- Adds a pleasant herbal fragrance to outdoor growing spaces.
- Easy-to-grow herb suitable for beginners and experienced gardeners.
- Grows well in containers, raised beds, and kitchen gardens.
- Provides a convenient supply of fresh leaves for everyday cooking.
Seed Specifications
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Common Name: Aromatic Basil; Sweet Basil
Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum -
Plant Type: Annual culinary herb
Colors: Green foliage with small white to pale flowers
Height: Typically reaches about one to two feet -
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Fertile, well-draining soil rich in organic matter
Water: Moderate and consistent moisture; avoid waterlogged soil -
Germination Time: Usually about five to ten days
Sowing Depth: Sow approximately one-quarter inch deep
Spacing: Allow about six to twelve inches between plants -
Growing Zones: Commonly grown as an annual across USDA Zones three through ten
Flowering/Maturity: Leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season; flowering generally occurs during warm weather
Uses: Culinary herb gardens, containers, raised beds, salads, sauces, garnishes, and fresh herbal preparations
Growing Tips
- Sow seeds after the danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed.
- Keep the soil evenly moist during germination without making it soggy.
- Pinch growing tips regularly to encourage fuller, bushier plants.
- Remove flower buds when you want to encourage continued leafy growth.
Seed Storage
Store unused seeds in a cool, dry, dark location away from moisture and direct sunlight. Keep them in a tightly sealed seed packet or airtight container. Label the container with the seed variety and storage date.
Unique Facts About Seeds
- Basil belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae, alongside herbs such as mint and rosemary.
- The botanical name Ocimum basilicum is associated with the widely cultivated basil species.
- Basil seeds are very small and should be covered lightly rather than planted deeply.
- Warm temperatures help basil seeds germinate and support vigorous early growth.
