plant

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Updated 9 Jun 2026 · AI-parsed entry

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) — a plant, for Full sun, Medium water. Companions: Tomato, Cucumber.

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Sunlightfull sun to partial shade
Watermoderate

↑ Gives back

Biomassmedium
Pollinator_attractionhigh

Companions

Through the year

Emergence

Seeds germinate when soil temperatures are consistently warm.

Flowering

Flowering typically begins in mid-summer as days lengthen, continuing until frost.

Harvest

Leaves can be harvested continuously from young plants until frost.

Senescence

Plants are sensitive to cold and will die back with the first autumn frost.

Timing is relative to your local season (temperate Northern Hemisphere).

Soil interactions

Drainagewell-drained
Nitrogen fixingNo
MycorrhizalNo
Soil textureloam, sandy_loam
Organic matterMedium
Compaction toleranceLow

Propagation

Methodsseed
Difficulty1 / 5
Establishes in~0 yr
Self-seedingModerate

Wildlife & pests

Attractsbees, butterflies
Repelsflies, mosquitoes, aphids, tomato hornworm
Can host diseasesfusarium wilt