Our Price: $8.25
Culinary
Aroma
Container
Pollinator
IndoorOcimum basilicum
Light: Full sun
Temperature: Annual
Watering: Keep soil moist, do not let soil get too dry.
Soil: Light, well drained soil. If need you can use Plant Feed once a month.
Comments: never prune more than 50% of your plant's leaves, this could cause too much stress on your basil plant. Continuous trimming avoids these annuals going to seed; allowing your plant to focus more on producing foliage than blooms!
If you are into herb gardening for culinary herbs, Italian Large Leaf Basil is a must have basil plant. This culinary herb is a sweeter pesto type basil with high yields in the garden. A large variety with medium-dark green leaves, this basil is bigger than most others found in the basil family. Fairly resistant to damage from pests and disease, Italian Large Leaf self-seeds easily and grows well in a container. Very aromatic and as popular with bees and butterflies as it is with chefs, this is one of our most favorite basil plants. When compared to Genovese the flavor and scent are sweeter and less clove like. Plant in full sun and harvest frequently to keep from going to flower.
Basil is also a fantastic natural mosquito and pest repellent and its blooms are great for attracting helpful pollinators to your garden. Planting Basil near beets, asparagus and tomatoes will also improve your crops.
Basil is a wonderful plant to plant near your kitchen windows or doorways, not just for its use in your favorite dishes, but because this culinary herb has terrific natural pest repellent properties! Said to effectively keep house flies and mosquitoes away, planting Basil near entryways to your home, rubbing it on your skin and clothing, and planting it around your yard and patio will help reduce the amount of unwanted summer pests. Planting it in your garden will also keep destructive pests like Thrips, white flies, and aphids away from neighboring plants. Basil blooms are also very attractive to butterflies and other useful pollinators.
Basil is said to increase the health and flavor of many vegetables like asparagus, bell peppers, cabbage and especially tomato plants when companion planted together. For best results, do not plant Sage or Rue near your Basil, as this is said to inhibit the plant's growth and flavor. Instead, grow Chamomile near your Basil plants to encourage its success.
