Ocimum basilicum (Basil)

Care Guide

Evergreen

Non-Indigenous

Herbs

Description:

Basil, also called sweet basil, is a culinary herb with rich green ovate leaves and small white flowers.

Other names:

Basil, Sweet basil, Great basil

Other Names

Basil, Sweet basil, Great basil

Plant Summary

Size:

20 – 60 cm (h) x 40cm (w)

Flowers:

March – April

Growth Rate:

Fast

Origin:

Egypt, India

Maintenance

Light Preference

Light Preference

Frost Sensitivity

Watering Needs

Ocimum basilicum (Basil)

care guide

When to ferilise

Once every 2 to 3 weeks for outdoor potted basil plants.

Once every 4 to 6 weeks for indoor potted basil plants.

How to Fertilise

Basil needs a light touch if the soil was well prepared before planting. You can add a nitrogen rich fertiliser to fuel growth when needed.

You can also use organic fertlisers such as fish emulsion or liquid seaweed.

When and how to prune basil

After the seedlings have produced their first six leaves, prune to above the second set. This encourages the plants to start branching, resulting in more leaves for harvest.
Every time a branch has six to eight leaves, repeat pinching the branches back to their first set of leaves.
After about 6 weeks, pinch off the centre shoot to prevent early flowering. If flowers do grow, just cut them off to enhance the flavour of the leaves.

Sweet basil prefers slightly acidic to neutral loamy soils that drain well.

Water regularly – Basil likes to stay moist so water deeply at least once a week to encourage deeper root growth.

It is a good idea to prevent your basil from flowering, as this increases growth and improves flavour in the leaves.

How to prevent basil from flowering

To prevent basil from flowering, regularly pinch off the flower buds as soon as you see them. This redirects the plant's energy into leaf production, keeping the basil tasting better. Also, ensure it gets enough sunlight and isn't stressed by under or overwatering, which can trigger flowering.

Ocimum basilicum (Basil)

propagation

Propagate sweet basil from seed or stem cuttings.

Propagating Basil by cuttings

Sweet basil easily takes root from stem cuttings. The best time to take a cutting is in spring when growth hormones are active.

Snip a 10 cm cutting from the soft, new growth, of an established plant below the leaf node.
Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting and dip the tip in a rooting hormone (Dynaroot #2 is my go to choice for most plants)
Place the dipped end into a container of dampened sterile seed starting mix that drains well (you can also place the cutting in a container of water – just ensure that there is room for the roots to spread).
Place the container in a warm spot with indirect sunlight and mist the cutting daily to ensure that the soil does not dry out.
The cuttings should take root in about 2 – 4 weeks. Test for root growth by (very) gently tugging on the cuttings to feel if there is some resistance.
Transplant the cuttings into individual 10-cm pots that contain professional potting mixture.
Pinch off the very top of the cutting to encourage branching or leave the stem intact to allow the newly rooted plant to increase in height.

Ocimum basilicum (Basil)

problems

Fungal problems are common in basil, mainly powdery mildew.

To prevent fungal problems, thin your basil stand to improve air circulation around the plant that can dry out fungus without the need of fungicide.

Always water your basil at the base, and never on the leaves, and water in the mornings to ensure that the water evaporates off the leaves quickly.

Sweet Basil Pests

Aphids are a common pest on sweet basil, but shouldn’t be treated with a pesticide if you’re planning on using your basil in cooking. Remove severely infested leaves from the plant or spray the aphids away with a hose to wash them away.