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Ocimum basilicum · Herb
The fragrant summer herb behind pesto and countless tomato dishes. It loves warmth and hates cold, so wait for settled weather before planting out. Regular pinching keeps it bushy and delays flowering, giving you leaves for months.
💧WaterWhen the top 1 in is dry, every 1–2 days in pots in summer (estimated)
☀️LightFull sun, 6–8 hours
🐾PetsNon-toxic
Care at a glance
- Light
- Full sun, 6–8 hours
- Water
- About 1 in per week; keep soil evenly moist
- Soil
- Fertile, well-drained, pH 6.0–7.5
- Temperature
- Best 70–90 °F; damaged below 50 °F
- Spacing
- 10–12 in between plants
- Container
- At least 1 gallon, 8 in deep per plant
- Harvest
- First leaves 3–4 weeks after transplanting (estimated)
- Lifespan
- Annual
When?
Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before your last frost, or sow outdoors once nights stay above 50 °F. Sow again every few weeks for a steady supply until late summer (estimated).
Step by step
- Sow seeds 1/4 in deep in warm, moist mix; they sprout in 5–10 days.
- Thin seedlings so each has room, and plant out after nights warm up.
- Water at the base in the morning; wet leaves overnight invite disease.
- Pinch the top pair of leaves once the plant has 3 sets, just above a leaf joint.
- Remove flower spikes as they appear to keep leaves tender.
- Feed lightly every 4–6 weeks; too much fertilizer dulls the flavor.
- Harvest from the top down, never more than a third of the plant at a time.
Common problems
Black or dark spots after a cold nightChill damage; plant out later or cover on cool nights.
Yellow leaves with gray fuzz underneathDowny mildew; remove affected plants, space wider, water at the base.
Holes in leavesSlugs or beetles; check in the evening and hand-pick.
Plant flowers early and gets woodyHeat or stress; pinch tips regularly and sow a fresh batch.
Pets
Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Eating a lot may upset the stomach. If in doubt, ask your vet.
Related tools
Similar plants
Sources
This page is general guidance; no pesticide doses are given.