Basil is an upright herb that grows edible pink, white, or purple flowers. Basil grows in a bushy form. Common or Sweet Basil will grow up to 3 feet high. Its leaves are very spicy and its blooms are white or pink. The main difference between the varieties is taste. Basil flavors range from clove and cinnamon to lemon and licorice. When brushed the Basil bush smells wonderful. Growing Basil near your kitchen is a good idea so it can be picked fresh for cooking.
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Basil is categorized by its leaf color: purple or green. Some of the
green-leaved Basil varieties include Anise Basil, Cinnamon Basil, Compact Green Gem Basil, Lemon Basil, Lettuce-leaf Basil, Mexican Spice Basil. Purple-leaved Basil comes in Dark Opal Basil, Mulberry Dance Basil, Purple Basil, Purple Fringe Basil, Purple Opal Basil, and Purple Ruffles Basil.
Planting Locations
Basil has several different purposes bedsides culinary. Growing Basil beside tomatoes will repel Tomato hornworms and other pests that can plague tomatoes. Basil can also serve as a human insect repellent. Plant Basil near an outdoor sitting area. Lemon Basil will repel Japanese beetles. Gently rub its leaves to release the scent and deter insects.
Purchasing & Planting
When purchasing Basil plants chose strong plants with numerous stems. Do not buy plants that are overgrown. Avoid Basil plants with pale or dried leaves and those plants that are potbound. When planting your Basil dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the plant’s pot. Add a thin layer of gravel to the bottom of the hole. Mix equal amounts of compost or manure with the soil and replace some back into the hole. Remove your Basil plant from the pot and place it at the same level it was growing in the pot. Fill in with soil and firm down.
To maintain your new Basil plants spray with liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks or after each harvest. Be sure to handpick all weeds and remove any debris that might harbor slugs. Keep your Basil plants watered but do not leave water on the leaves. This can cause brown spots. Try using drip irrigation. Once the plant has 6 leaves cut the stem just above the second pair. This will cause your Basil plant to branch out yielding an early harvest.
Growing Tips
Basil likes full sun. Growing Basil plants must get at least 6 hours of direct sun a day. Basil will grow in partial shade but only in the hottest areas of the country. The soil must be well-drained and moist. Basil loves rich soil so be sure to mix in compost before planting. Basil flowers are edible but have a more mild taste than the leaves. To extract the best flavor possible from your Basil freeze the leaves. Frozen leaves will turn black but will keep their flavor.
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The archenemy of Basil is the slug. To prevent slug infestation spread diatomaceous earth around the seedlings. Be sure not to mulch, as this will attract slugs. A piece of metal that sticks out of the ground around your Basil plants makes a great slug stopper.
Seasonal Care
For seasonal care begin in early spring. If growing Basil from seed sow the seeds indoors about four weeks before the last frost. Replant into individual pots when the Basil plants have two sets of true leaves. In late spring plant Basil outdoors. In the South plant every four weeks for a continuous harvest. During the summer keep your Basil plants from flowering by pinching their stems. After each harvest more branches will grow from the stem. Harvest plants every week or so.
Varieties of Basil
When deciding what type of Basil to use focus on the flavor you prefer. Green-leaved Basil comes in several varieties. Anise Basil has fringed green leaves and pink flowers. Anise Basil, as its name suggests has a spicy flavor with licorice overtones. Growing Basil of this type is a great idea if you like Italian Tomato dishes. Cinnamon Basil has shiny green leaves and small pink flowers. The intense cinnamon flavor is laced with sweet Basil essence. Compact Green Gem Basil is a dwarf variety only reaching 12 inches tall. This Basil plant is perfect for edging a flowerbed. Lemon Basil has pointy, light green leaves with a lemony flavor. Lemon Basil is perfect for tea and potpourri. It repels Japanese Beetles. Lettuce-leaf Basil has large long wide leaves. This Basil has a sweet somewhat spicy flavor. Mexican Spice Basil has a sweet spicy aroma and purple blooms. It is good for drying. Try using it with fruit or cheesecake.
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Purple-leaved Basil also comes in many varieties and flavors. Dark Opal Basil has purple-fringed leaves and is very aromatic. Mulberry Dance Basil has leaves with mulberry splotches and an anise scent. Purple Basil with its lilac flowers has deep purple stems and leaves. Purple Fringe Basil is a medium sized plant with deep purple leaves, violet flowers and a licorice scent. Purple Opal Basil has deep garnet purple leaves with pink flowers. The leaves have a sharp bite and work well in herbal vinegars. Purple Ruffles Basil has large deep-fringed leaves with a mild flavor. It looks very nice as an ornamental plant.
Quick Facts
In general Basil can spread up to 24 inches wide and 40 inches tall. Both the flowers and leaves are edible and the leaves cast off wonderful aromas. Basil can be grown in all zones in full sun with well-drained moist soil. This annual can be harvested all summer.