Ocimum, Basil 'Blue Spice'

Ocimumbasilicum

Family
Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Ocimum (OSS-ih-mum)
Species
basilicum (bass-IL-ee-kum)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Shiny/Glossy
Smooth
Textured
Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness
Not Applicable
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Dark Blue
Medium Blue
Blue-Violet
Lavender
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Annuals
Herbs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual
Suitable for growing in containers
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Propagation Methods
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
Direct sow as soon as the ground can be worked
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
From seed; germinate in a damp paper towel
By simple layering
By stooling or mound layering
Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Menifee, California

Stamford, Connecticut

Needham, Massachusetts

Mount Laurel, New Jersey

Binghamton, New York

Burbank, Ohio

Magnolia, Texas

New Braunfels, Texas

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Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
1
neutral
0
negative
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C
Stamford, CT | December 2014 | positive

Have grown--well, it grows itself--this basil for 10+ years; it self-seeds nicely. Called it "sweet-smelling basil" before learning it's...Read More

N
New York & Terrell, TX (Zone 8b) | March 2008 | neutral

Sow seeds on the surface of a Well drained seed sowing mix at about 59 to 70ºF, germination is 15 to 30 days.

Heating pad...Read More

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