Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

About The Plant

The most well-known and commonly used culinary herb. It’s an aromatic, delicate annual with a spicy odor and flavor. It can grow to be 12-18 inches tall, with green to purple foliage. The size of the leaves can range from huge lettuce-like leaves to very minuscule half-inch leaves. Basil is a tropical plant native to Central Africa and Southeast Asia. It is a delicate plant that is utilized in cuisines all over the world.

Dimensions of plant in basic planter: √ò 15CM x H ~40CM

Plant Care

Sunlight: Full sun.

Watering: Water lightly everyday. Water the soil deep enough such that the root zone is moist too. Drip irrigation systems or soaker hoses are perfect for this. If you allow the soil to dry out, the leaves may yellow and drop. Apply a layer of mulch around your plants to help retain moisture while preventing weeds from growing in your herbs. If a herb garden is smothered with weeds, your herbs won’t get adequate nutrients from the soil for healthy growth, turning your herbs yellowish & sickly.

Fertiliser: Apply organic granular fertiliser or liquid fertiliser. Avoid chemical fertilisers as the higher amount of chemicals applied (e.g. Nitrogen), the lesser the flavour & the slower the growth of the herb. Apply organic fertiliser instead.

Soil: Plant in a moist, rich, well-drained soil.