Sweet Basil

Sweet Basil: variety and characteristics

Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an annual herb of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). A large-leaved sweet basil that is exceptionally well suited to pesto. The plants are full of volatile oils responsible for the intoxicating aroma and strong flavour.

Like all basil plants, large-leaved sweet basil is easy to grow from herb seeds for the garden or to grow in a container.

This basil grows to a height of 45-60 cm. The dark green, glossy leaves grow up to 7 cm. in length.

Pick the very large leaves and use them fresh or dried in tomato dishes, pasta sauces, vegetables and soups. Basil is most aromatic when fresh.

The best time to harvest is just as the plant starts to form flower buds, well before the flowers open.

Pick the leaves continuously to encourage new growth. Pinch out the growing tips to encourage bushier plants and delay flowering.

Basil is the king of aromatic herbs — for tomato salad, pesto, pasta and pizza. It grows easily in the garden, in a pot and on a windowsill.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 87%
• Seeds per packet: 497–673 pcs (0.9 g)
• Seed origin: India
• Sowing: March and April; transplants or direct
• Flowering: June – September
• Harvest: June – September
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Sweet Basil

Sweet Basil seeds are sown in March and April. The plants flower from June to September. The crop is harvested from June to September. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Sweet Basil

• Sowing method: seedlings or direct
• Depth: 0.3–0.5 cm
• Spacing: 20–30 cm
• Germination: 5–10 days at 20–25 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Sow basil seeds directly in the garden once all danger of frost has passed. For areas with short growing seasons, start the herb seeds indoors 4 - 8 weeks before moving outside. Grow the basil herb in rich, well-drained soil and in the sun. Plant basil in the vegetable garden next to tomatoes and peppers as a companion plant to repel aphids, mites and hornworms on the tomatoes. Basil seeds need warmth to germinate, ideally around 21°C. This can easily be achieved on a sunny windowsill indoors. Basil can also be grown indoors all year round, especially if you have a sunny window or full-spectrum lights. It does great in containers; just make sure you add some compost or another nutrient-rich amendment to your potting mix. Once germinated, encourage strong seedlings by giving them plenty of sun and moisture. Do not overwater: basil seedlings are very prone to damping off. A greenhouse is the ideal place for your basil plants, just make sure you water them often to prevent them from flowering prematurely.

Sow in warm soil — below 12 °C basil stops growing. Pinch out the tips so it branches, and remove flowers for more leaves.

Harvest and use

Pick the leaves before flowering — the aroma is strongest then. Cut above a pair of leaves so that new shoots form.

Frequently asked questions

When should Sweet Basil be sown?

The recommended sowing months are March and April. Sowing method: seedlings or direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 497–673 seeds, pack size 0.9 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 87%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

Can basil be grown on a windowsill?

Yes — on a sunny window, in a pot with drainage, with regular but moderate watering.

Why does basil turn black?

From cold below 10 °C or from overwatering. Only take it outside after mid-May.