More Information
| Botanical Name |
Ocimum gratissimum |
| Seeds Per Pack |
50 |
| Life Cycle |
Annual |
| Min. Time to Germinate |
6 Days |
| Max. Time to Germinate |
14 Days |
| Depth to Sow Seeds |
Surface Sow; press seeds gently into the soil to make good contact, but do not cover with any additional soil; these seeds require light to germinate |
| When to Sow |
Indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost, Outdoors after all danger of spring frost is past |
| Growing Height |
24-36 in. (60-90 cm) |
| Plant Spacing |
18-24 in. (45-60 cm) |
| Hardiness |
N/A |
| Sun Exposure |
Full Sun |
| Danger |
N/A |
| Bloom Time |
Late Fall/Early Winter, Late Summer/Early Fall, Mid-Fall |
| Other Details |
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater |
| Soil pH Requirements |
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) |
| Days to Harvest |
70-80 |
| Propagation Methods |
From herbaceous stem cuttings, From seed; direct sow after last frost, From seed; germinate in a damp paper towel, From seed; sow indoors before last frost |
| Seed Collecting |
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds, Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry, Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored |
This rare and exotic basil produces leaves that are highly aromatic and reminiscent of basil-clove. It is native to Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia, and the Bismarck Archipelago, and naturalized in Polynesia, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama, West Indies, Brazil, and Bolivia. African basil grows well as a perennial in warm climates, or as an annual in colder areas.
