Ocimum gratissimum

RHS Plant Profile
East Indian basil

Other common names

tree basil, fever plant

Synonyms

Ocimum basilicum 'Tree'
Ocimum viride
Ocimum suave

Shrubs Herbs - Culinary

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.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand, Chalk

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand Chalk
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds