African Basil
Ocimum gratissimum
- Native to:
- Aldabra, Angola, Bangladesh, Botswana, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Caprivi Strip, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Gulf of Guinea Is., India, Ivory Coast, Jawa, Kenya, Laccadive Is., Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Sumatera, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Onjacktallcuca
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Ocimum
- Species:
- Ocimum gratissimum
- USDA Symbol:
- OCGR
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pale pink
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
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:
- Thrives in tropical and subtropical regions.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily with light and warmth; surface sow as seeds require light for germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Requires light or the seed is very fine. Surface sow and expose to light. * soak in running water for 24 hrs, germinate @ 25 °