Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a warmth-loving culinary herb in the mint family. It grows fast in soil, coco and especially well in hydroponics — regular harvesting keeps it bushy.

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Important notes

flowering: Once basil flowers it bolts and the leaves turn bitter. Pinch off flower buds regularly to keep the flavour.

Lumière

Very bright: 6+ hours of sun or 14–16 h of grow light. Too little light makes plants leggy and low in flavour.

Arrosage

Keep evenly moist, never bone-dry, but avoid waterlogging. In soil/coco water as the surface dries; in hydro it is fed continuously.

Température

Keep warm: 20–26 °C. Below 12 °C it suffers cold damage (black blotches).

Humidité

50–65 %. Still, humid air encourages downy mildew.

Valeurs cibles par méthode et phase

Hydro
Phase pH EC (mS/cm) Eau °C Air °C Humidité % Lumière h Durée (jours)
Germination 5.8–6.2 0.4–0.8 22–25 22–26 65–75 16 7
Plantule 5.8–6.2 0.8–1.2 20–23 20–25 60–70 16 14
Végétatif 5.6–6.4 1.2–1.8 20–24 20–26 50–65 16 25
Récolte 5.6–6.4 1.2–1.6 20–24 20–26 50–60 14 30
Terre
Phase pH EC (mS/cm) Eau °C Air °C Humidité % Lumière h Durée (jours)
Germination 6.1–6.5 0.4–0.8 22–26 65–75 16 7
Plantule 6.1–6.5 0.8–1.2 20–25 60–70 16 14
Végétatif 5.9–6.7 1.2–1.8 20–26 50–65 16 25
Récolte 5.9–6.7 1.2–1.6 20–26 50–60 14 30
Coco
Phase pH EC (mS/cm) Eau °C Air °C Humidité % Lumière h Durée (jours)
Germination 5.8–6.2 0.4–0.8 22–25 22–26 65–75 16 7
Plantule 5.8–6.2 0.8–1.2 20–23 20–25 60–70 16 14
Végétatif 5.6–6.4 1.2–1.8 20–24 20–26 50–65 16 25
Récolte 5.6–6.4 1.2–1.6 20–24 20–26 50–60 14 30

Problèmes fréquents

Downy mildew, grey mould, fungus gnats; black leaves in the cold. Give airflow and water from below.

Space & Size

Final height
40 cm
Final width
25 cm
Spacing
20 cm
Root depth
20 cm
Min. container (Hydro)
≥ 3 L
Min. container (Terre)
≥ 5 L
Min. container (Coco)
≥ 4 L

Pests & diseases

Pest / Disease Symptom Organic treatment
Aphids sticky, curled leaves rinse off, beneficials, neem
Whitefly white flies under leaves yellow sticky traps, neem
Downy mildew yellowing on top, grey fuzz beneath airflow, keep leaves dry, remove affected growth
Damping-off seedlings collapse at base avoid overwatering, good airflow

Edible parts

  • Leaves · edible from Végétatif — main harvest, best fresh
  • Flowers · edible from Floraison — edible, mild flavour

Techniques de rendement

Harvest/pinch above a leaf pair so the plant branches. Remove flower spikes early or growth slows.

Propagation & pollination

Method
seed
Germination time
7 days
Germination temp
20-25 °C
Sowing depth
0.5 cm
Pollination
self
Hand pollination needed
no

also roots very easily from cuttings in water

Companion planting

🟢 Good neighbours: Tomato, Coriander (Cilantro), Cherry Tomato

Flavor

sweet and aromatic, with clove and pepper notes

Storage

Do not refrigerate (it turns black)! Keep stems in a glass of water at room temperature.

History

Basil comes from tropical Asia and Africa and has been known for thousands of years – sacred in India and the heart of Mediterranean cooking (pesto) in Italy.

Nutrition

Rich in vitamin K and antioxidants (essential oils such as eugenol). Low in calories.

Techniques

Sources

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