Product Field NotesHerb Plants
Sweet Basil: The Pesto Herb for Warm Summer Days
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Sweet basil is the basil most kitchens mean when they say basil. It grows fast into a bushy plant of bright green, glossy, oval leaves with a sweet, spicy, slightly clove-like fragrance, and it is the backbone of pesto, tomato salads and summer pasta.
It is also a creature of warmth. Plant it too early and it sulks; plant it after the nights warm up and it takes off.
Sweet basil at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Ocimum basilicum |
| Leaves | Bright green, glossy and oval, 1 to 3 inches |
| Flowers | White, sometimes pink-tinged, in upright spikes; edible |
| Size | 12 to 24 inches tall, 8 to 14 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts mid-July, peaks mid-August |
| Hardiness | Grown as an annual; killed by frost |
| Water | Moderate |
| Fragrance | Sweet and spicy with a clove-like note |
Basil in a lavender garden
Basil and lavender both love sun and heat, but basil wants consistent moisture and richer soil, while lavender wants lean ground and dry roots. The most practical setup is a few pots of basil on a sunny patio beside potted lavender, or a kitchen bed nearby where you can water the basil daily in July without soaking lavender crowns.
Together they make a fragrant cook's corner. Glossy green basil next to silver lavender is a pleasing contrast, and if you let a few basil plants flower, bees will visit both. Plan your kitchen garden in the Companion Plant Planner.
Growing tips
- Timing: wait until nights stay above about 50 to 60 F. The Frost Date Estimator helps you plan.
- Pinch early: once a plant has three or four sets of leaves, pinch the top just above a leaf pair. It branches into a fuller plant.
- Pinch flowers: remove flower spikes as they form; flavor is best before the plant blooms.
- Water: steady and at the soil, especially in containers.
- Airflow: warm, wet, humid weather favors basil downy mildew, and it is also prone to Fusarium wilt. Space plants and avoid wetting the leaves.
Harvesting and using basil
Harvest by cutting stems just above a pair of leaves; new shoots grow from that point. Use leaves fresh in pesto, sauces, salads, soups and stews, and scatter the edible flowers over a tomato salad. Basil bruises and blackens in the refrigerator, so store cut stems in a glass of water on the counter, like a bouquet. For winter, blend leaves with olive oil and freeze in small portions.
Sizes offered
Sweet basil comes as 3-inch plugs, 4-inch pots and 1-gallon pots. A gallon pot gives you pesto sooner; several plugs fill a bed. See the product page for current sizes and availability.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my basil leaves turning black?
Cold is the usual cause, either nights below about 50 F outdoors or storage in the refrigerator.
Can basil grow in the same pot as lavender?
Not well. Basil needs more water than lavender likes. Give each its own pot.
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