Photo: © Daniel IseliPlantoScanImage: PlantoScan
Camphor Basil Plant Care
Ocimum kilimandscharicum Gürke
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant boasts elongated, lance-shaped leaves with a striking purple undersides, making it a standout in any collection. Originating from the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, this plant is prized by collectors for its unique foliage and its ability to thrive in hot, sunny conditions.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–90°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Camphor Basil?
Water Camphor Basil 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.
What Is the Camphor Basil?
Camphor Basil (Ocimum kilimandscharicum) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Ocimum genus. Camphor Basil is native to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, and Ethiopia.
Camphor Basil displays an upright, bushy herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Camphor Basil produces small, tubular flowers in shades of white, pink, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Camphor Basil?
Ocimum kilimandscharicum 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 Camphor Basil Need?
Camphor Basil thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Camphor Basil Prefer?
Ocimum kilimandscharicum grows best at temperatures of 60–90°F. Camphor Basil prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–90°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Camphor Basil?
Well-draining, fertile soil with a neutral pH. Good drainage is essential for Camphor Basil to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Camphor Basil?
Feed Camphor 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.
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 Camphor Basil?
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 Camphor Basil?
Camphor Basil can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american basil plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Camphor Basil Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Camphor Basil, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
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 Camphor Basil?
Camphor 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Camphor Basil Need?
Camphor Basil grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 13. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Camphor Basil is native to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, and Ethiopia. In cooler regions, grow Camphor Basil as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9b – 13
Keep exploring plants
Camphor Basil 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.
Camphor Basil 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 kilimandscharicum Gürke, family Lamiaceae (first published in Pflanzenw. Ost-Afrikas , C: 349 (1895)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Camphor Basil, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: © Daniel Iseli, PlantoScan.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9b – 13, 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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