HerbsOcimum basilicum
Sweet Basil
Sweet Basil is an annual culinary herb with glossy green, aromatic leaves that are indispensable in Italian cooking. The plant produces small white flowers in summer, but is mainly grown for its fragrant foliage. Basil is not frost-hardy and must be sown or bought fresh each year.
Characteristics
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Medium
- Height
- 30–60 cm
- Spread
- 20–30 cm
- Hardiness zone
- 10–11
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Evergreen
- No
- Flower colors
- white
- Wildlife value
- bees
Bloom period
Care guide
Plant after the last frost in full sun in warm, well-drained soil. Basil is cold-sensitive — temperatures below 10 degrees are harmful. Water regularly at the base but avoid wetting the leaves. Feed fortnightly with liquid fertiliser.
Pruning tips
Pinch out the tips regularly to encourage branching and leaf production. Remove flower spikes as soon as they appear — flavour declines after flowering. Always harvest above a leaf pair.
Good companions
HerbsThymus vulgaris
Common Thyme
Common thyme is a compact, evergreen herb with small aromatic leaves and pink to white flowers. The plant is indispensable in the herb garden and blooms in June and July, when bees flock to it in droves. Thyme thrives best on dry, lean soil in full sun.
HerbsRosmarinus officinalis
Rosemary
Rosemary is an aromatic, evergreen sub-shrub with needle-like deep-green foliage and small blue flowers in spring. The plant gives off a warm, resinous scent and is prized both in the kitchen and the ornamental garden. Rosemary thrives in warm, dry spots and is highly drought-tolerant.
HerbsMentha spicata
Spearmint
Spearmint is a vigorously growing culinary herb with bright green, aromatic leaves and small purple flower spikes in summer. Its refreshing menthol scent makes it indispensable for teas, cocktails, and desserts. Mint spreads rapidly via runners and should be planted within boundaries.