Herbs
Ocimum basilicum
Sweet basil
An aromatic, leafy herb for sunny kitchen gardens and containers. Regular pinching encourages a bushier plant. Pinch growing tips and flower buds for bushier, leafy growth.
At a glance
- Sun
- Full sun
- Mature size
- 18–24 in. tall × 18–24 in. wide
- Water
- Even moisture; well-drained soil
- Life cycle
- Frost-tender annual
- Bloom
- Small white summer flowers.
Sizes & prices
- 3.5''Big Leaf Basil$4.99
Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.
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Resistance & tolerances
- Moisture
- Keep moist with good drainage.
- Deer & rabbits
- Listed as resistant; browsing remains possible.
Resistance is not a guarantee; deer and rabbits may browse any plant.
Culinary uses
- Edible parts
- Leaves and flowers.
- Try in
- Soups, stews and meat dishes; leaves add aromatic flavor.
Seasonal interest
- Form
- Fast-growing, branching green foliage.
Growing & care
- Local season
- Plant after frost; treat as a warm-season annual.
- Harvest
- Pick shoot tips regularly to encourage leafy branching.
- Watering
- Keep soil evenly moist; water at the base.
Move outdoors after frost danger has passed. These are typical species dimensions; the catalog does not specify a cultivar.
Sources & photo credits
University of Minnesota Extension
Photo: TheTechnician27 · CC0 1.0
Image notes: Sweet basil foliage. species photo; uncropped.
Reviewed September 21, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.