Basil tree plant grow and care – shrub type of basil an hybrid of genus Ocimum also known as Bonsai basil plant, Basil tree plant perennial evergreen plant or possible to grow as annual, used as edible plant for the leaves also used as ornamental plant possible as bonsai and it’s fragrant, can grow in tropic, mediterranean, subtropical climate or as houseplant and growing as perennial in hardiness zone 10b+ and with the right care overwinter hardiness zone 10a, and as annual in hardiness zone 5-10a, also possible to put indoor in winter.
How to grow: Warm weather, rich soil, mulch on the soil especially in the winter, well-drained soil
How to care: Add more water in hot summer days, fertilizer 2-4 year, put organic matter, prune once a year and consider to prune the bloom stems
What is the best way to start growing?
Plant, cutting (explanation of care bellow), this hybrid doesn’t produce seeds (be aware)
Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction? Necessary to start by cutting or air layering (but cutting easier) possible to graft but no point
Difficulties or problems when growing: Not something special, sensitive to frost (Won’t survive more than 6C)
Recommended planting season? Spring in hardiness zone 5-10 as annual, as perennial spring to summer in hardiness zone 10b, spring to autumn in hardiness zone 11 and hardiness zone 12+ all year.
Pests and diseases: Aphids, prodenia
Pruning season: All the season
How to prune:
Prune dead part and in the beginning of the bloom cut the bloom stem
What is the size of a Basil tree? 25-35 cm, 10-14 inch
Growth speed in optimal condition: Medium growing
Water requirement: Average amount of water
Light conditions in optimal condition for growing: Full Sun / Half shade / Full shade (with light)
Is it possible to grow indoor as houseplant? Yes, grow well indoor as houseplant
Growing is also possible in a pot / planter /flowerpot / containers: Yes, when grow in container, size 5-12 liter (1.5-3 gallon) amount of water that needed, it’s to keep the soil moist and the water go out of the pot, better not to use bottom of pot, need every two years to switch soil in the pot or just part of it, soil need to be well ventilated with good drainage, rich with organic matter, can us in potting mix or peat soil with perlite or vermiculite.
Blooming information
Bloom season: Summer
General information about the flower Small white flower that grow on inflorescence
Thinning the bloom: Should thinning the inflorescence when they start to bloom, all the strength of the plant go to the blossom
Pollination is done by: Bees, butterfly
Edible leaves
Leaves harvesting season: After the plant in full size you can start to trim all the season. Can be after 3-4 weeks
How to harvest the leaves? Trim branches but leave few buds on the branch
Information about leaves: Green oval leaves
Uses of Basil tree leaves: Pesto, salad, herb, spices
Vegetative Reproduction
How to start Vegetative Reproduction? Stems, cutting, bending a branch over and covering it with soil
The best time for vegetative reproduction: Spring / Summer, in the house you can all the year, need to take care that it’s not too much cold and better not dry
How much time does it take to grow roots in cutting? 1-3 weeks
What is the treatment and care for vegetative reproduction? When use soil: keep moist, better peat soil and better with root growth hormone also possible to put the stem in glass of water and switch the water every few days, cutting result better in warm season with high humidity, shade with light.
Scientific name:
Ocimum basilicum ‘long feet’
This plant not refer to: Greek basil tree, African tree basil, Sweet basil tree, Basil leaf tree
