Ocimum gratissimum grow and care – shrub type of basil genus Ocimum also known as Clove basil or African basil, Ocimum gratissimum perennial evergreen or annual plant used as edible plant for the leaves also used as ornamental plant and it’s fragrant, grow in tropic climate and growing in hardiness zone: 12+ (perennial), 5-12 (as annual).
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 / Seed / Vegetative Reproduction
Is it necessary use vegetative reproduction in Ocimum gratissimum? Not necessary but possible vegetative reproduction
Difficulties or problems when growing: ?
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, in warm place strong place
Pruning season: All the season
How to prune: Prune in the beginning of the bloom
Size of the plant: 40-60cm, 16-24 inches
Growth speed in optimal condition: Fast growing / Medium growing
Water requirement: Average amount of water / Big amount of water
Light conditions in optimal condition for growing: Full Sun
Is it possible to grow indoor as houseplant? No
Growing is also possible in a 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, when it’s grow as perianal 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 purple 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
Vegetative Reproduction
How to make Vegetative Reproduction? Cutting
The best time for vegetative reproduction: Spring, early summer
How much time does it take to grow roots in vegetative reproduction? 1-2 weeks
What is the treatment for vegetative reproduction? Put in glass of water and change the water every few days
Edible leaves
Leaves harvesting season: All year
How to harvest the leaves? Recommend to trim the big leaves but not old leaves
Information about leaves: Green leaves in ovate-cordate shape with serrated edge
Uses of Ocimum gratissimum leaves: Salad
How to grow Ocimum gratissimum from seeds
Sowing requirement: Small round brown seeds
Saving seeds until sowing: Room temperature, dry
Sowing season: Spring, but as perennial spring to autumn
