Botanical Name: Ocimum
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Common Name: Basil  
Plant photo of: Ocimum
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Water Saving Tip:

Even though it's hot, your lawn only needs to be watered twice a week to stay healthy.

And don't water the whole lawn for a brown spot—drag out a hose.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Annual, Herb

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

n/a

 

Flower Season

n/a

 

Leaf Color

Bronze, Green, Purple, Variegated

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Medium, High

 

Growth Rate

Fast

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Ranch, Spanish

 

Accenting Features

n/a

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Raised Planter

 

Special Uses

Container

 

Attracts Wildlife

Hummingbirds, Butterflies

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

Basil is an annual herb, seemingly indispensable in the kitchen. And there are several species and varieties of basil, and so it seems to appear in nearly every cuisine. Leaf size and color are determined by variety; and being in the mint family, they all have stems with whorls of bracts and flowers that appear late summer.
Grow in soils that have been enriched with compost and are well draining. Prefers full sun, though they will tolerate a bit of shade. Deadheading will maintain leaf production, though the flowers are greatly loved by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.