Clove Basil Plant Care

Clove Basil (Ocimum gratissimum) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Ocimum genus. Clove Basil is native to Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia, and the Bismarck Archipelago, and naturalized in Polynesia, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama, West Indies, Brazil, and Bolivia. Clove Basil is also known as Shrubby Basil, African Basil.

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

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Ocimum gratissimum 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.

Clove Basil thrives in full sun to partial shade.

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

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

Feed Clove 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.

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

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Clove 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.

Clove Basil grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Clove Basil is native to Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia, and the Bismarck Archipelago, and naturalized in Polynesia, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama, West Indies, Brazil, and Bolivia. In cooler regions, grow Clove Basil as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.