A little seed. A new beginning.
Seeds In A Cup®A LITTLE SEED. A NEW BEGINNING.

GROW SOMETHING WONDERFUL

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Your guide to planting, growing, and getting to know this plant.

THE PLANT NOTEBOOK

Basil care, from seed onward.

Botanical name
Ocimum basilicum
Common names
Sweet Basil, Great Basil
Family
Lamiaceae
Genus
Ocimum
Species
O. basilicum
01

Start growing

Sow 1/4 inch deep in warm soil. Pinch back tops to encourage bushy growth.

02

Growing with your kit

Basil is the star of the Seeds In A Cup® kit! It sprouts fast and loves the greenhouse environment.

03

Propagation

By seed or cuttings (roots easily in water).

04

Seasonal growth & harvest

Fast-growing; harvest leaves before flowers appear to maintain flavor.

05

Growing conditions

Sunny, warm, and moist garden environments.

06

Weather & tolerances

Highly sensitive to cold and frost; even a light chill can blacken leaves.

07

Pests & plant health

Aphids, slugs, and Fusarium wilt.

08

Plant safety

Safe for humans and pets.

09

Botanical features

A tender annual herb with glossy green leaves and small white flowers. Highly aromatic.

10

Varieties

‘Genovese’, ‘Thai Basil’, ‘Purple Ruffles’.

11

Garden & everyday uses

Pesto, salads, and Italian/Thai cuisines. Essential companion plant for tomatoes

12

Native range & distribution

Native to tropical regions of Central Africa to Southeast Asia.

13

Conservation

Secure; thousands of cultivars preserved.

14

Name origins

From the Greek ‘basileus’, meaning king, often referred to as the 'King of Herbs'.

15

History

Considered a sacred herb in India (Tulsi/Holy Basil) and a symbol of love in Italy.

Grow basil in a cup.