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Basil is a member of the mint family, and its name derives from the Greek basilikón, meaning 'royal' — hence its nickname, the royal herb.
Ocimum basilicum
herb
Bees
Bumblebees1 gardener has this in their stash
Tender annual herb that hates cold. Pinch flower spikes as they appear — flowering signals the plant to stop making the leaves you want. Pairs naturally with tomatoes in the bed and on the plate. Cuttings root in water within a week.
🐛 Prone to: Aphids, Whitefly.
Attract Hoverflies, Lacewings, Ladybirds, Parasitic wasps to keep them in check — plant African MarigoldGood, AngelicaGood and AniseFair nearby.
Did you know?
Basil is a member of the mint family, and its name derives from the Greek basilikón, meaning 'royal' — hence its nickname, the royal herb.
Perilla frutescens
A fellow Lamiaceae — similar growing habits to Basil
Start Basil indoors about 6 weeks before your last frost, keeping seeds in warm soil (around 20–25 °C). Seeds usually come up in around 7 days. Move seedlings out once the danger of frost has passed, in full sun, spaced about 25 cm apart. Expect to harvest in roughly 60 days.
Water: Medium · Height: 50 cm · Soil: Well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter. Prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Avoid waterlogged conditions.
