Basil belongs to the Ocimum genus.

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Plant Wiki

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Basil originates from India where it is considered sacred to the Gods. Basil is a tender low-growing herb that is grown as a perennial in warm, tropical climates. It thrives in hot weather, but behaves as an annual if there is any chance of a frost.

• Lifecycle The lifecycle that this plant exhibits. Annual Category The basic category that this plant belongs to. Herb
• Hardiness How frost hardy this plant is. Half Hardy Country of Origin Where this plant originated from. India
• Mature Height How tall the plant will be when it grows up. 45.0 cm / 17.55" Mature Spread How wide the plant will be when it grows up. 30.0 cm / 11.7"
• Bloom Time When this plant usually blooms. ? Harvest Time When this plant is usually harvested. Mid Summer

How to keep this plant happy

To produce high quality basil, grow it in full sun in warm, well-drained soil. Pinch or cut the leaves off as required, but always from the top. When the plants begin to produce flowers, pinch those out as soon as possible to encourage more leafy growth. If growing Basil in containers or indoor pots then add a small amount of fertiliser every month or so. Water every week (more often if growing in outdoor containers or indoors). When watering your Basil make sure to water at the base of the plant avoiding showering the leaves and stems.

• USDA Zone Range The zones that this plant is recommended to grow best in. 4 - 10 pH Range The level of acidity that this plant thrives in. 5.5 - 7.0
• Water Requirements The amount of water that this plant likes to drink. Medium Nitrogen Requirements The amount of nitrogen that should be present in the soil. ?
• Soil The type of soil that this plant likes to live in.
  Potting Mix Combination
  Sun The type of light that this plant likes to sunbake in.
  Full Sun Partial Sun
• Min. Air Temperature The lowest air temp that this plant will be happy in. 21°C / 70°F Max. Air Temperature The highest air temp that this plant will be happy in. ?

Sowing and Germinating Instructions

Cover with finely sieved compost.

• Can Sow Direct? Can seeds be sown directly in situ? ? Sowing Depth Seeds should be sown at this depth. 0.3 cm / 0.0"
• Sowing Distance Apart This plant should be sown at least this distance apart 1.27 cm / 0.39" Sowing Row Distance Apart This plant should be sown in rows at least this distance apart ?
• Min. Germination Temperature The lowest temp that this plant will germinate from seed. 10°C / 50°F Max. Germination Temperature The highest temp that this plant will germinate from seed. 15°C / 59°F

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Planting Out / Transplanting Instructions

All basils are tender annuals which are easy to grow, but are very susceptible to cold weather. They should be planted in late spring after all danger of frost is past.

• Planting Distance Apart Seedlings should be planted this far apart. 23.0 cm / 8.97" Planting Row Distance Apart Rows between plantings should be at least this far apart. ?

How long does it approximately take to grow?

• Days to Germination From seed to seedling 15 days Average 15 days | Min 2 days | Max 235 days (38)
• Days to Transplant From seedling to transplant / planting out + days
• Days to Maturity From transplant to harvest / maturity of plant + 40 days Total Growing Days From seed to maturity = days

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When should I start sowing and growing?

• When to sow The number of days to sow before or after your last frost date. 20 days before Last Frost Date When to plant out The number of days to plant out before or after your last frost date. 21 days after Last Frost Date

Etymology

The word basil means "king" in Greek - it is believed to have grown above the spot where St. Constantine and Helen discovered the Holy Cross.

Folklore

Jewish folklore says that basil adds strength while fasting. The Oxford English Dictionary quotes speculations that basil may have been used in "some royal unguent, bath, or medicine".

Other Names

Sweet Basil, Tulsi