Basil care
The summer kitchen herb; loves sun and warmth. (Ocimum basilicum)
- Light
- As much sun as possible
- Water
- Water when the top of the soil is dry
- Cats
- Non-toxic
- Dogs
- Non-toxic
Care card
Light
As much sun as possible: a south-facing window.
Water
Water when the top of the soil is dry. Do not let it sit in water.
Humidity
Average.
Soil and pot
Free-draining potting mix.
Feeding
Light feed every few weeks while you are picking it.
Through the year
Spring
Pinch tips to make it bushy. It can go outdoors after the last frost.
Summer
Pick often; remove flower buds to keep leaves tasty.
Autumn
Bring pots indoors before the first frost.
Winter
Give it the sunniest window and water lightly.
Leaf trouble?
Why houseplant leaves turn yellow
Several yellow leaves at once usually mean the roots are staying wet. Feel the…How often to water a houseplant
There is no single weekly schedule. Water when that plant's soil says so, then…Brown tips and crispy edges
Brown tips usually mean dry air, a pot that dried out too far, or minerals in…Drooping houseplant leaves
Droop can mean thirst or roots that are too rotten to drink. Feel the soil…Fungus gnats and other small pests
Fungus gnats breed in mix that never dries. Letting the top layer dry, and…Background
Basil (Ocimum basilicum), also called great basil, is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae (mints). It is a tender plant and is used in cuisines worldwide. In Western cuisine, the generic term "basil" refers to the variety also known as Genovese basil or sweet basil.
From Wikipedia’s article Basil, by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
More kitchen herb plants
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: toxic and non-toxic plants Pet safety
- Wikipedia: Basil Background