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Annual BiennialHerbs - Culinary

Ocimum basilicum 'British Basil'

basil 'British Basil'

An upright, bushy, half-hardy perennial, grown as an annual, with aromatic, glossy, edible, mid-green foliage and long spikes of tubular, lilac-pink flowers in summer. Noted for its tolerance to outdoor conditions and may be suitable for warmer climates in the UK

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Plant nurseries
3 suppliers

Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1–2 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1C

Botanical details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Ocimum can be aromatic annuals, evergreen perennials or shrubs with opposite, linear to broadly-ovate leaves and small tubular white or pinkish flowers in whorls forming a spike
Name status: Not established

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow as an annual in moist but well drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun. Although suited to colder conditions, it may not grow well outdoors in some parts of the UK. Best grown in a container. See basil cultivation for more information

Propagation

Propagate by seed in gentle heat in spring under glass or indoors. Alternatively, sow direct in April and May. See sowing seeds indoors for further advice

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Pinch out flower heads as they appear to encourage continued leaf growth. If left to flower, cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails and leafhoppers

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews

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