Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a popular warm-season herb prized for its strongly aromatic leaves. It is an excellent choice for herb gardens, vegetable gardens and containers, providing a regular supply of fresh basil throughout the warmer months. Growing to 45cm or taller, Sweet Basil performs best during spring and summer and can begin producing harvestable leaves in approximately 6–8 weeks.
Sweet Basil Growing Information
- Planting position: Full sun to part shade
- Height: 45cm plus
- Plant spacing: 45cm apart
- Planting season: Spring to summer
- Harvest: Approximately 6–8 weeks
- Watering: Water regularly
- Fertilising: Fertilise regularly for best results
- Tolerance: Frost sensitive
Planting & Growing Tips
Plant Sweet Basil in well-drained soil and water regularly, particularly during hot weather. Pinch out the growing tips as the plant develops to encourage a bushier, more productive plant rather than tall, leggy growth. Harvest leaves regularly once the plant is established. When harvesting, cut the stem just above a pair of leaves rather than removing individual leaves only. This encourages new side shoots and helps produce a fuller plant.
Growing Sweet Basil in Pots
Sweet Basil is well suited to growing in containers. Choose a pot with good drainage and position it in a sunny to partly shaded location. Container-grown basil can dry out more quickly during warm weather, so check the soil regularly and water when needed.
Companion Planting
Sweet Basil can be planted with chilli, eggplant, tomatoes and beetroot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do when Sweet Basil starts flowering?
If you want to continue harvesting plenty of basil leaves, remove flower heads as they appear. Allowing the plant to flower and set seed directs more of its energy towards reproduction, while removing the flowers encourages continued leafy growth.
Can Sweet Basil survive winter?
Sweet Basil is a frost-sensitive annual and is mainly grown during the warmer spring and summer months. In cooler areas, it will usually decline as temperatures fall. A plant grown in a pot can be moved to a warm, protected and brightly lit position when colder weather arrives, although growth will generally slow considerably.