basil - holy
Ocimum tenuiflorum - Indian basil / holy basil
A small, upright, bushy variety with highly aromatic, purple-green, serrated leaves that are used in culinary dishes, particularly...
approx 200 seeds
£2.99
available to order from autumn
1
Plant description
A small, upright, bushy variety with highly aromatic, purple-green, serrated leaves that are used in culinary dishes, particularly Thai. Ocimum tenuiflorum boasts attractive spikes of pink flowers that appear in summer and is a useful companion plant when grown alongside tomatoes (it deters whitefly). A short-lived, tender perennial, it is most commonly grown as an annual when regularly picked.
Eventual height & spread
Plant features
Position
Full sun
Rate of growth
Fast-growing
Soil
Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or peat-free general purpose compost
Hardiness
Frost tender
How to care for Ocimum tenuiflorum:
Pick plants over regularly and remove any developing flowerheads immediately to prevent bolting (running to seed) and to encourage lots of fresh young leaves.
Sowing instructions:
Sow seeds into pots of free-draining seed compost on a warm, sunny windowsill or in a greenhouse from late spring. Protect seedlings from slugs and cold and keep well-watered as they grow. Plant out into the herb garden or into roomy pots or troughs from early summer, after all threat of frost has passed, allowing 15-20cm between plants.
GOES WELL WITH
How to use companion plants
Companion planting is a method of growing different plants adjacent to one another for the benefit of one or both of the companions. Some plants are thought to confuse or act as a decoy to potential pests, while a few provide food for the pest's natural
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