Basil

Genus: Ocimum basilicum
Family: Labiatae

Introduction

Basil is one of every herb gardener’s favorites. Easy to grow and full of flavor, who can resist this fragrant herb? While basil is a favorite herb today, it hasn’t always been so everywhere. Different areas of the world had vastly different opinions of this herb and its properties.

India, where basil is believed to have originated, is worshipped by the people. Basil was laid on the dead to help their entrance into the afterlife and ward off evil spirits. In Moldavia it was believed that it would cause a young woman to fall in love with the young man whose hand she took a basil sprig from.

While some Greeks called basil the King of the Herbs (derived from the word basileus), many believed it caused insanity and rage. It was said to cause scorpions to nest in the brain of someone who sniffed the herb too much. The Romans believed that venomous beasts would grow out of basil that had been tossed on a pile of horse manure. Here it was believed that the name was derived from the legendary basilisk, a reptile that could look at a person and cause instant death. Semer le basilica means literally “sowing the basil” in French to represent someone who is ranting and raving.

Special Features

The English, in the 1600s, used basil in their cooking and also put it on their doorways to keep away flies as well as evil spirits.

By the 1800s, Europeans and Americans added basil to their baths and massage oils for relaxation. It was often used in teas as well. A cup of basil tea is said to help many stomach ailments such as constipation, gas, cramps and vomiting. It is also believe to help in digestion. In the past it has been used to pull out the venom from an insect bite by placing one of the leaves over the wound.

A bath with basil leaves will relax and revitalize. Dried basil leaves in potpourri help add a sweet, strong scent that isn’t overpowering. Basil can be used to give luster to hair as a hair rinse.

The culinary uses of basil are endless. Tomato blends such as pasta sauces and pesto are probably the most common use for basil in the U.S. Basil can give an invigorating flavor to veal, lamb, fish, and poultry and be a wonderful additive to soups and salads. One of our favorite recipes is herbal bread with a blend of basil, thyme and oregano. Basil is also a wonderful addition to oils and vinegars.

Examples

There are many varieties of basil. Sweet basil is the most commonly grown. There are over 150 species in the basil family.

For added color in either the herb or flower garden, try adding O. Basilicum Purple Ruffles” or O. Basilicum “Purpurascens’ (Dark Opal Basil). Both have beautiful, deep purple colored leaves with lavender flowers.

For a wonderful, lively scent try O. Americanum (lemon basil). And if you like the smell of anise; there is O. Basilicum ‘Anise’ just for you! It is another purple leaved basil with the blended smell of sweet basil and anise.

Hardiness

Basil is very easy to grow in the hot summer, but is strictly an annual.

Growth Habit

A non-invasive plant in your garden, most varieties of basil grow to a height of 1-2’. Basil is a small bush that grows fuller when the flower spikes are pruned from the plant. This will also give your leaves added flavor.

Bloom Time

Basil will flower in July and August. The flowers will be about 1/2” long. White and lavender are the flower colors of the most common varieties with white being prominent. Camphor basil grows a white flower with red anthers. Flowers can be dried and hung to retain their fragrance. We have used dried flowers fro our basil to scent a fire in the fireplace.

Propagation

Basil can be seeded directly in the garden, but most people plant it in cells or trays 6-8 weeks before transplanting it outside. It is very easy to germinate and under the right conditions will have a high success rate. Plant seeds 1/8” deep in your growing medium. The seedlings will need low moisture. Some put a sheet of plastic wrap over the tray to hold in moisture although I have never found it necessary. Keep the planting medium warm, approximately 70°.

Transplanting

Transplanting should be done when the first true leaves appear. Manure compost mixed into the soil before transplanting will help the seedlings take off. Pull the seedling from the tray by its leaves, not by the stems. Give basil a good home and it will do well.

Soil

Basil grows best in rich, moist, well-drained soil (Rodale’s, p. 26). The soil pH should be around 6.0.

Irrigation

Basil does not need a lot of water. The hot summer weather is just the ticket for basil. Do not water daily; the soil should be kept mildly moist.

Sunlight

Basil worships the sun. Give it one of the sunniest spots in your garden and it will thrive for you.

Care

One of the reasons basil is so popular to new and old herb gardeners alike is that it is so easy to care for. Keep the soil mildly moist and weeds down and care will go smoothly. If it looks like a drought is imminent, the basil plants should be watered and mulch placed on top of the soil to hold in the moisture. Make sure that the ground is warm before mulching, however, because the young roots need the warmth.

Basil can be grown indoors as a beautiful window plant. Again, soil should be kept mildly moist (make sure it can drain in its pot). Put the plant in a window with full sunlight.

Pests and Diseases

Basil is better known for the pests it deters than ones it attracts. Flies, aphids, mites, tomato hornworms and asparagus beetles are all thought to be kept away by basil.

References

Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, 1987. pp. 22-26
Kowalchik, Claire and Hylton, William (Editors).

Iowa State Extension
Growing and Using Basil