sweet basil
Ocimum basilicum
Lamiaceae · annual · introduced
Last updated
Heat-loving annual that struggles in cool maritime springs but thrives July through September. Raised beds warm faster on clay soils. Downy mildew (Peronospora belbahrii) is a significant threat in this region's humid conditions.
— Claude / Chris Welch
Plant Profile
Size & Form
Height
1-2 ft
Spread
0.5-1 ft
Growth Rate
Fast
Lifespan
Short-lived
Site Requirements
Light
Full Sun
Soil Drainage
Well Drained
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Water
Moderate
Drought Tolerance
Low
Hardiness
Zones 10–11 (perennial); grown as annual everywhere
Ornamental Interest
Bloom Time
July-September
Origin
Tropical Asia, Africa
Watch for this season
Downy MildewModerate
Late Spring - Summer Transition
Diseases: Regionally Documented (2)
Diseases: Other Associations (1)
Cultivars (2)
'Genovese'
Classic Italian large-leaf type. The standard culinary basil; large, cupped, intensely aromatic leaves.
'Devotion'
Rutgers downy mildew-resistant release. Genovese-type flavor and appearance with DMR genetics.
Data Maturity Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.