Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Plant family

Mint family (Lamiaceae)

Season Overview

Propagating

Planting

Harvest

J

F

M

A

M

J

A

S

O

N

D

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Wet

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

High

Light germinator

Seeding distance

15 cm

Row spacing

20 cm

Seeding depth

0 cm

Instructions

End of July

Picking

Every week

Description

Basil is an annual plant from the labiates family that grows outdoors. Essential oils provide the intense fragrance, which makes basil a popular culinary and medicinal plant. In addition to the well-known large-leaved genover varieties, there are also small-leaved species and the hardier and perennial bush basil, as well as a total of about 65 other varieties.

Origin:

Tropical India, Mediterranean for centuries

Growing tips

Basil is very sensitive to cold. Heat-hungry plant needs a lot of water in the summer. Growing from seed is done from the end of March. The seeds should not be covered with soil, as it is a light germinator. When growing perennial varieties basil must overwinter indoors during the winter months.