Description
Ocimum basilicum | Sweet Basil ‘Cinnamon’
Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum), also commonly known as Great Basil, Mexican Basil or Baja Basil, is an herbaceous annual plant that’s cultivated worldwide for use as a culinary herb. Plants reach about 18 inches tall and produce large green, oblong leaves that are highly aromatic, smell wonderfully like cinnamon. Square stems produce terminal flower spikes that reach 8 inches tall in summer. The small, white flowers are attractive to insect pollinators, including honey bees, but are sometimes removed to increase the yield of the leaves.
The genus name, Ocimum, is derived from the Greek ‘okimon’ which means ‘to smell’, in reference to the strong odors of the foliage.
Sweet basil prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soils with little competition for sun or water. Will grow in partial shade, but with less’ vigor. Plants are highly frost sensitive and must be protected against temperatures that come close to freezing. To avoid ‘damping off’ disease, basil plants should not be over-watered. Pinch tops to encourage bushier growth.
Sow seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost, using heat, humidity, and light. Transplant plants outside only after your last frost and night temps have reached an average of 45 degrees
Sweet Basil ‘Cinnamon’ is excellent with fruity dishes such as Caesar salad or in a chutney, and can easily be grown indoors in pots all year around to ensure a continuous supply of fresh leaves.
Type: Annual
Sun exposure: Full sun
Mature height: 14-18 inches
Mature width: 8-12 inches
Hardiness zones: Annual- all. Perennial in zones 10+.
