Sweet Basil
Ocimum basilicum
- Native to:
- Andaman Is., Australia, Bangladesh, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Cambodia, India, Jawa, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Maluku, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
Castielli,Jamshid Nurkulov,Eiku en exil,BernaBotto,PumpkinSky,Andrey Butko (www.wikidata.org),Eiku en exil,Bedlan Gerhard, Dr., Institut für Pflanzenschutz, BOKU, Tulln, Österreich.,Bedlan Gerhard, Dr., Institut für Pflanzenschutz, BOKU, Tulln, Österreich.,Schlaghecken Josef,Mokkie,H. Zell
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Ocimum
- Species:
- Ocimum basilicum
- USDA Symbol:
- OCBA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink, purple
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Celery leaftier (Udea rubigalis), cucumber moth (Diaphania indica-complex), Pyrausta sp.
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Ceratina arizonensis, Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Two-spotted Longhorn (Melissodes bimaculatus), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Butterflies:Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Western Pygmy Blue (Brephidium exilis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- native to tropical regions with fertile soil
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 5–14 days
- Notes:
- Requires warm soil temperatures (70°F+) and light for optimal germination. Do not cover seeds deeply.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Germinate @ 25°C