Ocimum gratissimum
East Indian basil
This is a tropical shrub or small tree cultivated mainly for therapeutic products, but with all the usual culinary uses of basil. It grows to around 2m tall with green leaves which are furry when young, less so as they mature. They may have purple stems, veins and flowers, or if stems and veins are pale, flowers are white. These flowers spikes are also furry.
Other common names
tree basilfever plant
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Purple | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Purple | Green Purple | ||
| Autumn | Green Purple | |||
| Winter | Green Purple |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Ocimum can be aromatic annuals, evergreen perennials or shrubs with opposite, linear to broadly-ovate leaves and small tubular white or pinkish flowers in whorls forming a spike
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow under glass in any well-drained soil
Propagation
Propagate from seed or softwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds
Get involved
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