Basil.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Facile

Type de plante

Annual herb

Lumière

Full sun, at least 6 to 8 hours daily.

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 1 à 3 jours

Taille adulte

1 to 2 feet

Croissance

Rapide

Rusticité

USDA 10 à 11

Floraison

Mid to late summer

Entretien

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. Pinch off the top sets of leaves regularly to encourage a bushy shape and prevent premature flowering. Watch for wilting, which is a clear sign your plant is thirsty.

Arrosage

Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Engrais

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.

Taille

Pinch back the growing tips weekly to promote branching and delay flowering.

Rempotage

Basil is typically grown as an annual, so repotting is rarely necessary.

Sol

Well draining, nutrient rich potting mix.

pH du sol

6.0 to 7.5

Température

10 à 35°C

Humidité

40 à 70%

Résistance à la sécheresse

Faible

Durée de vie

Annual, typically one growing season.

Parfum

Fort

Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins

Moyenne

Sécurité

Humains

Basil is non-toxic to humans.

Enfants

There are no specific safety concerns for children handling this plant.

Allergènes de contact

Some people may experience mild skin irritation from the essential oils in the leaves.

Allergènes aéroportés

The pollen is not typically an airborne allergen.

Comestibilité

Basil is generally safe, but avoid excessive consumption if you are pregnant or nursing.

Comment l'identifier

• Opposite, oval shaped bright green leaves
• Strongly aromatic, sweet and peppery scent
• Small white or purple flower spikes
• Square stems typical of mint family

Hauteur

0,3 à 0,6m

Envergure

0,2 à 0,4m

Feuilles

green, purple, deciduous

Fleurs

white, pink, 0,5 à 1cm

Problèmes courants

• Downy mildew — Causes yellowing leaves and gray fuzzy growth on the undersides.
• Aphids — Small insects that suck sap from new growth.

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed, cuttings

Quand planter

spring, early summer

Hivernage

Basil is frost-sensitive and will die in cold weather. Bring pots indoors before the first frost if you wish to extend the season.

En pot

Basil grows very well in containers, provided the pot has good drainage and is at least 20 cm wide.

Planting basil near tomatoes is a classic pairing that benefits both plants in the garden.

Bonnes associations

• Tomate — Basil is said to improve the flavor of tomatoes when grown nearby.
• Poivron — They share similar water and light requirements.

À éloigner de

• Ruta graveolens — Rue can inhibit the growth of many herbs when planted in close proximity.

Espèces similaires

• Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora — It has a distinct anise flavor and purple stems.
• Holy Basil — It is a different species often used for medicinal tea.

Science

Famille

Lamiaceae

Genre

Ocimum

Ordre

Lamiales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Tropical regions of central Africa to Southeast Asia.

Préservation

Basil is widely cultivated and is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in warm, sunny environments with well-draining soil.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons

Utilisations

culinary herb, container gardening, companion planting

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Why is my basil flowering?

It is bolting, which happens when the plant reaches maturity or experiences stress.

Can I grow basil indoors?

Yes, it thrives on a sunny windowsill with at least six hours of light.

D'où vient le nom

The name originates from the Greek word basilikon, meaning royal plant. It was historically associated with royalty.

Bon à savoir

• Basil belongs to the mint family.
• The name comes from the Greek word basileus, meaning king.
• Pinching off flower buds keeps the plant producing leaves longer.