Photos are representative and may not match your specific variety.
Sweet Basil
Herb
HerbOcimum basilicum
- Partial sun
- Zone 10
- 74 days to maturity
- Herbs
- 12" spacing
- High water
- Annual
- pH 6–7
Overview
Sweet Basil is a tender annual herb prized for its vibrant green leaves and distinctive aromatic flavor. This heirloom variety reaches harvest maturity in approximately 74 days, producing compact, bushy plants ideal for containers or garden beds. Its sweet, clove-forward taste with subtle anise undertones makes it the quintessential choice for Italian cuisine, fresh pestos, and culinary applications. Unlike spicier basil varieties, Sweet Basil's delicate, complex flavor profile and ease of cultivation have made it a kitchen garden staple for centuries.
Planting
Direct sow after last frost when soil is 65°F+, or start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost
Growing
Sun: partial. Water: high. Soil pH: 6–7. Space plants 12" apart. Germination: 5-10.
Pests & diseases
Common pests: Aphids, spider mites, Japanese beetles, slugs. Common diseases: Fusarium wilt, bacterial leaf spot, downy mildew.