Basil is the “king of herbs,” a plant that has been used in both food and for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Its rich and varied flavors and delightful smell have continued to make it a popular garden and potted plant. Of the many varieties you can choose for your garden, bush basil plants are compact and showy and have smaller leaves than sweet basil with a concentrated punch of flavor.
What is Bush Basil?
Basil comes in so many varieties that it can be hard to choose just one or two for a limited space. Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is fairly common, a tall herb with large, glossy green leaves. Bush basil (Ocimum minimum), sometimes called dwarf basil, only grows to about 6 inches tall (15 cm.) and is compact and bushy with smaller leaves. While both are annual plants, bush basil may survive the winter in milder climates.
For culinary purposes, bush basil vs. sweet basil is a matter of taste. The leaves of both plants are used in similar ways, like in sauces or in salads. The flavor in the leaves of bush basil is more intense than sweet basil, so you get more bang for your buck. It is because of this strong flavor; you’ll often see bush basil called “spicy globe” basil.
Growing Bush Basil in the Garden or Containers
Bush basil care is simple, making this tasty and fragrant plant easy to grow even for those without a green thumb. Since it’s shrub-like, compact, and bushy, growing bush basil in a pot is a great choice. It can even be used to create a low hedge in a garden. It will grow well and easily whether you choose a container, or you put it right in the ground.
Bush basil prefers rich soil, so find a good quality potting soil, or use a fertilizer to enrich your soil. Choose a full-sun location that drains well, water your plant regularly, and it should grow well. As it grows, harvest leaves as needed. Pinching it back will actually help it grow more. If you see flowers starting to grow, pinch them off. A flowering basil plant loses its flavor.
How to Use Bush Basil Plants
The leaves of the bush basil have an intense flavor, so you don’t need to use as many as you would with other varieties. Otherwise, you can use your small leaves exactly as you would with sweet basil. Bush basil leaves go great in anything Italian, like pasta dishes and tomato sauces. You can use the leaves in salads and with vegetable dishes. Basil even tastes great in drinks, like lemonade, iced tea, and co*cktails.
Bush basil plants are easy to grow, the leaves taste great, and they look nice both in containers and gardens. They make a great choice for any garden, yard, or windowsill.
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FAQs
Basil thrives in moist soil, so check moisture levels often and water deeply once the top inch becomes dry. As basil plants grow to 4 to 6 inches tall, pinch off the topmost branches to promote more side shoots and a taller plant overall. Be sure to pinch off blooms to prevent your plant from going to seed.
What is the secret to growing basil? ›
Basil thrives in moist soil, so check moisture levels often and water deeply once the top inch becomes dry. As basil plants grow to 4 to 6 inches tall, pinch off the topmost branches to promote more side shoots and a taller plant overall. Be sure to pinch off blooms to prevent your plant from going to seed.
How do you encourage bushy basil? ›
Basil plants initially grow one central stem. Once they are reach 6-8 inches tall, pinch the central stem back by half and about 1/4 inch above the leaf axils. This will force the plants to branch and grow more leaves. As the plants keep sending out new branching stems, continue to pinch them back in the same manner.
What is the difference between basil and bush basil? ›
Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is fairly common, a tall herb with large, glossy green leaves. Bush basil (Ocimum minimum), sometimes called dwarf basil, only grows to about 6 inches tall (15 cm.) and is compact and bushy with smaller leaves.
Are coffee grounds good for basil plants? ›
Organic fertilizers are the secret sauce to a thriving basil plant. Compost soil, coffee grounds, stale beer, tea, or mineral water are all excellent choices. These natural fertilizers provide essential nutrients for your basil, promoting healthy growth and blooming. But remember, moderation is key.
What does Overwatered basil look like? ›
Signs Your Basil Plant Is Overwatered
According to Mara, if your basil plant's leaves start to show brown or black spots, it is a sign that you are overwatering. Keep an eye out for the following. Note that brown spots on leaves could also mean that the environment is too cold for the basil.
How do you keep basil happy? ›
Basil Plant Care Tips
Water deeply at least once a week to keep roots growing deep and the soil moist. Basil growing in containers will need more frequent watering. Your goal when growing basil in a container is to keep the soil from drying out. The best time of day to water basil is early in the morning.
What fertilizer does basil need? ›
A pH range of 6.0 to 7.5 is best. Fertilize sparingly, using a 5-10-5 commercial fertilizer once or twice during the growing season at the rate of 3 oz. per every 10 ft. of row.
How do you perk up basil? ›
Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water. Remove any bruised or blackened leaves, and then submerge the wilted herbs, stems and all, into the ice bath. The cold water will shock the herbs back to life. Depending on the herb and just how wilted it is, this could take as little as 15 minutes to as long as an hour.
How tall does bush basil get? ›
Height: Bush basil is a compact herb that typically reaches a height of around 30 to 45 centimeters when fully matured. Its bushy growth habit makes it a great choice for small gardens or container planting. Bush basil is a good source of vitamins A, C, and K.
Bush Basil (aka. Native Coleus, Mountain Plectranthus, Sticky co*ckspur) was traditionally used as a medicinal and ceremonial herb. Early European settlers called it the “Five Spice Plant” for its complex aroma, reminiscent of basil, mint and sage.
How to make basil grow bushy? ›
Tip #5: Pruning
Prune your basil plant when it's about 6 inches tall and has at least two to three sets of leaves. Cut the stem back to the last set of leaves, leaving about a quarter of an inch of the stem above the last set of leaves. This will force the basil plant to keep branching out and growing bushier.
How do you maximize basil growth? ›
Basil plants like a good amount of sun. Position your plants in a nice sunny spot where they can receive six to eight hours of sun per day, away from cold winds. If growing indoors, place containers on a sunny windowsill that lets in enough light.
Why is basil so hard to grow? ›
Basil is not hardy. It likes growing in warm conditions so it's best in a greenhouse or on a kitchen windowsill. It can be grown outside in a UK summer, but it needs a sheltered, warm and sunny spot, either in the ground or in containers.
What does basil need to thrive? ›
Prep. Basil is a tropical herb, and plants need sun and heat to thrive. Give it a spot that receives six to eight hours of sun daily, except in the South and Southwest, where afternoon shade is a must. Basil needs moist, nutrient-rich soil that drains well.
What triggers basil to flower? ›
Understanding Basil Flowering
The plant's transition to flowering is often triggered by longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures, signaling the right moment for it to reproduce. Environmental factors such as light, temperature, and nutrient levels greatly influence when and how a basil plant will flower.
