Botanical name
Ocimum basilicum ‘Purpurascens’
Family
Lamiaceae
Spacing
1 per square foot
Depth
6 mm (¼”) deep
Requirements
Bright light indoors. Good ventilation for seedlings. Herbs do best in a hot, sunny spot. In these conditions they’ll make the highest level of the aromatic oils that give them their taste and aroma. They also prefer well-drained alkaline soil, pH 6-8.
Germination
Seeds will sprout in 5-10 days
Pests
Aphids and slugs. Aphids can be washed off with a strong jet of water. Slugs can be removed by hand. Basil is generally quite resistant when outdoors.
Timing
You can grow basil indoors all year. Start indoors in April / May for transplant to garden in June when the soil is warm.
Growing
Pinch tips for bushier growth when plant reaches about 15 cm (6″).
Harvest
75 days
Season
Warm, annual
Links
An easy recipe that only takes a few minutes to prepare:
Basil Pesto
