American Basil Plant Care

American Basil (Ocimum americanum) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Ocimum genus. American Basil is native to Africa, the Indian subcontinent, China, and Southeast Asia. American Basil is also known as Hoary Basil.

American Basil displays an upright, bushy herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. American Basil produces small, tubular flowers in shades of white, pink, or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Ocimum americanum 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.

American Basil thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Ocimum americanum grows best at temperatures of 60–90°F. American Basil prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, fertile soil with a neutral pH. Good drainage is essential for American Basil to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed American Basil 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each 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.

American Basil can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to basil plant plant care, which shares the same genus.

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American Basil 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.

American Basil grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. American Basil is native to Africa, the Indian subcontinent, China, and Southeast Asia. In cooler regions, grow American Basil as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.