Ocimum sp (Basil)

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Plant description

Basil is a popular culinary herb. There are numerous basil cultivars. They can be grown in the ground or in containers. Foliage colour ranges from  bright green to deep purples, which make them an ornamental as well as useful garden addition.

Leaf production slows when basil flowers, so they should be pinched out regularly to keep the plant productive. Water and fertilise regularly to maximise growth. The bigger the leaf, the more shade the plant will tolerate.

Basil originated in Asia, but it's popularity means that it is now grown worldwide.

There are several varieties of basil available with all being suitable for general culinary purposes.

Using Basil in the Kitchen

Basil is one of the more distinctive culinary herbs that are a superb addition to various salad dishes, particularly those involving tomatoes and mushrooms. Basil is also a must have herb for summer as it goes hand in hand with the tomato dishes that are so useful at that time of year. It is an easily grown annual plant that is grown from seed sown any time from late winter through spring such that frost periods are avoided. As well as combining well with tomatoes it is great for pasta sauces such as pesto and also in certain soup recipes.

Growing Basil

Basil is best grown as an annual as it is very easily raised from seed and grows very rapidly if given optimum growing conditions. Sow the seed directly into its permanent position in a sunny area where the soil is well drained. An alternative is to purchase a punnet of seedlings that can be transplanted straight into the garden or into pots in a sunny position in almost any soil type. For potted plants a premium potting mix will also produce a bumper crop, especially if you use a complete liquid fertiliser every few weeks. Try to select plants that will stand up well when separated from the punnet.

When the plant is 10cm or more in height it is a good practice to pinch out the growing tip. The more tips you remove the bushier your plant will become. A handful of slow release fertiliser or well-rotted manure at planting time will provide enough nutrients to see the plant through to harvest. Individual leaves can be removed as they reach maturity or else the whole plant can be harvested before it starts to flower.

In order to increase the yield of leaves any flower buds that appear should be pinched out before they mature. This will also help to stimulate a bushy growth habit. When the plant stops producing new leaf growth the whole plant can be harvested towards the end of summer.

Additional plant information

Flowers

Flower colour: White, pink, purple
Flowering season: spring summer autumn

Scent

Different varieties have different smells, from lemon to spicy to licorice varieties.

Plant size

Maximum height: 0.5 metres
Minimum height: not specified

Maximum width: 0.5 metres
Minimum width: not specified

Sunlight, frost & salt tolerance

This plant will tolerate full or partial sunlight.
Light frost tolerance.
Plant is not salt tolerant.

Fauna attracting?

Yes. Attracts: insects.

Climate

This plant species will grow in the following climates: cool, temperate, subtropical, tropical.

Soil types & conditions

Loam: wet, moist, well-drained.

Clay: wet, moist, well-drained.

Sand: moist.

Soil pH: 5-7

Diseases

fusarium wilt, bacterial leaf spot

Pests

aphids, snails, slugs, thrips

Miscellaneous information

Planting season: spring, summer.

Types of fertiliser: good general.

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