Under Construction

Plant Care
The Ocimum basilicum Plant Care Instruction has been successfully copied to your clipboard. Go to plant list and paste it.
Plant Care
You have successfully used the Ocimum basilicum Plant Care Instruction.
Ocimum basilicum

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

BasilCommon BasilSweet Basil
  • General Information
  • Buy
  • Plant
  • Sow Seeds
  • Fertilize
  • Water
  • Prune
  • Mulch
  • Protect
  • Pest/Disease Inspection
  • Treat for Pest/Disease
  • Transplant
  • Propagate
  • Harvest
  • Special requirements

General Information

Basil is a deliciously fragrant herb. It is an easy to grow annual that should be planted in early spring and will usually produce and survive until hit with a frost, or extreme cold. Snails and slugs like it as much as humans, so young plants need protection or they will be devoured overnight.

Sunset Zones

USDA Zones

Web Link

Buy

When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share!

January
Buy seeds or starts this time of year.

Plant

When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions?

January
Plant seeds or starts this time of year.

Sow Seeds

When can you plant these seeds? When's the best time? Can you start them indoors and move them out? Do they have any special requirements?

January
Direct sow seeds or start in pots anytime November through March.

Fertilize

When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year?

Water

Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year?

January
Fairly drought tolerant, needs occassional watering only if extended dry period.

Prune

When's a good time to prune this plant? How about deadheading, pinching back, trimming or any other grooming? Any special requirements?

Mulch

Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much?

January
Mulch lightly with organic mulch.

Protect

When and how should you protect this plant from birds, deer, rabbits? Does this plant need be covered, or wrapped or painted or moved?

Pest/Disease Inspection

What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear?

Treat for Pest/Disease

How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements?

Transplant

When's the best time to dig up and transplant this from one spot to another? (This is different than planting). Any special requirements?

Propagate

When's a good time to divide, take cuttings, layer or propagate this plant. Any special requirements?

Harvest

When's a good time to harvest this plant? What's the best way to harvest? Are there special requirements or features?

January
Harvest leaves and flowers whenever you need them.

Special requirements

Any other requirement for this plant? Is there anything that doesn't fit into the other care categories?