Sweet Basil
Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Sweet Basil is the classic Mediterranean herb prized for glossy green leaves with warm, anise-kissed aroma and tender texture; fast growing and sun loving, it delivers abundant fresh harvests for pesto, salads, and sauces in beds and containers.
Distinctive Features
Essential Flavor: Large, tender leaves with sweet, clove-like perfume ideal for raw and cooked dishes; Vigorous Habit: Rapid, branchy growth responds to frequent pinching for continuous yield.
Growing Conditions
- Sun Exposure: Full sun (6+ hours) for strongest growth and oils.
- Soil: Fertile, well-drained loam enriched with compost; avoid soggy sites.
- Water: Moderate and consistent; water deeply when the top 1 in is dry.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: Annual in most climates; perennial in Zones 10 to 11.
- Mature Size: About 18 to 30 in tall and 12 to 24 in wide.
- Bloom Time: Summer; pinch buds to prolong leaf production.
- Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral, about 6.0 to 7.2.
Ideal Uses
- Culinary: Fresh leaves for pesto, caprese, pasta, and soups.
- Container Gardens: Thrives in patio pots with regular feeding.
- Kitchen Beds: Productive, fragrant edging near pathways.
- Cut and Come Again: Repeated harvests from pinched plants.
- Pollinator Patch: Flowers attract bees if allowed to bloom late.
Low Maintenance Care
- Watering: Keep evenly moist; avoid wet foliage late day to reduce disease.
- Pruning: Pinch tips weekly above a node to promote branching; remove flower buds promptly.
- Fertilizing: Feed every 2 to 3 weeks with balanced liquid fertilizer or side-dress with compost midseason.
- Mulching: Apply a thin layer of fine bark or straw to conserve moisture and limit soil splash.
- Notes: Plant after frost and warm soils; provide airflow to deter downy mildew; start new plants midseason for continuous supply.
Why Choose Sweet Basil?
- Unmatched Taste: The standard for authentic Italian flavor.
- High Yield: Rapid growth responds to frequent harvesting.
- Versatile Planting: Performs in beds, raised planters, and pots.
- Kitchen Convenience: Snip-to-plate freshness all summer.
Grow in full sun with rich, well-drained soil and steady pinching for a season-long stream of fragrant leaves.
OUR SIZING
Not sure what 2 inch B&B or 30 Gallon Clump really means? This guide breaks down all our plant size terms so you know exactly what to expect, whether you're ordering online or picking up at our nursery. From caliper measurements to container volumes, we've decoded our system to help you shop with confidence.
Plant Detectives Shipping Guide
Nationwide plant shipping made easy. Learn how we ship trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials. No order too big or too small. Fast, careful, and contractor-friendly.