Photo: Caw VusCC BY-SA 4.0Image: PlantoScanresized / cropped
Basil Plant Plant Care
Ocimum basilicum L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Basil, also called great basil, is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae (mints). It is a tender plant, and is used in cuisines worldwide.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–90°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Basil Plant?
Water Basil Plant every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–90°F (16–32°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 3 months during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Where Is the Basil Plant Native To?
What Is the Basil Plant?
Basil Plant (Ocimum basilicum) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Ocimum genus. Basil Plant is native to tropical regions from Central Africa to Southeast Asia. Basil Plant is also known as Basil, Sweet Basil, Common Basil.
Basil Plant displays an upright, bushy herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Basil Plant produces small, tubular flowers in shades of white, pink, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Basil Plant?
Ocimum basilicum requires watering every 4–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Basil Plant Need?
Basil Plant thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Basil Plant Prefer?
Ocimum basilicum grows best at temperatures of 60–90°F. Basil Plant prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–90°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Basil Plant?
Well-draining, fertile soil with a neutral pH. Good drainage is essential for Basil Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Basil Plant?
Feed Basil Plant every 3 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 3 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Basil Plant?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Basil Plant?
Basil Plant can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american basil plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Basil Plant Toxic to Pets and Children?
Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list. View the ASPCA entry
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Basil Plant?
Basil Plant is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Basil Plant Need?
Basil Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Basil Plant is native to tropical regions from Central Africa to Southeast Asia. In cooler regions, grow Basil Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10b – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Basil Plant is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Ocimum genus — compare its care with other Ocimum species on PlantoScan.
Ocimum is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Basil Plant thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ocimum basilicum L., family Lamiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 597 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Basil Plant as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: Caw Vus, CC BY-SA 4.0, PlantoScan.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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