Overview

Discover the joy of fresh, homegrown herbs with this set of Greek basil live plant seedlings. Known for its small, intensely fragrant leaves and sweet flavor, Greek basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Minimum’) is a culinary delight. This offering includes three vibrant plants, each standing approximately 4-7 inches tall, ready to be transplanted into your garden, containers, or windowsill herb collection. Often referred to simply as ‘bush basil’ or ‘miniature basil’, this variety is cherished by home cooks and gardeners alike for its robust taste and tidy growth habit. Unlike some larger basil varieties, the Greek basil live plant maintains a compact, spherical shape, making it an excellent choice for smaller spaces or decorative arrangements. It’s an indispensable herb for Mediterranean cuisine, adding a fresh, aromatic punch to sauces, salads, and more.

These young seedlings are cultivated to provide a strong start, ensuring you can quickly enjoy a bountiful harvest of this beloved herb. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just beginning your journey into growing fresh produce, these easy-to-care-for plants offer a rewarding experience. The vibrant green foliage and delightful aroma will not only elevate your dishes but also add a touch of natural beauty to your living space. Prepare to transform your culinary creations with the unparalleled freshness of your very own Greek basil live plant.

Key Benefits

Cultivating your own Greek basil live plant offers a multitude of advantages, from enhancing your culinary skills to beautifying your home. These plants are specifically chosen for their exceptional qualities:

• Superior Culinary Flavor: Enjoy the authentic, sweet, and slightly peppery flavor that sweet basil herb is famous for, perfect for pestos, pasta, salads, and more.
• Compact & Bushy Growth: The naturally small and dense form of this compact basil plant makes it ideal for windowsills, kitchen counters, small gardens, or decorative pots without taking up too much space.
• Easy to Grow & Maintain: Known for being fast-growing and relatively low-maintenance, these basil plants are suitable for gardeners of all experience levels.
• Aromatic Fragrance: The leaves release a delightful and invigorating aroma, acting as a natural air freshener and adding a pleasant sensory experience to your home or garden.
• Versatile Usage: Thrives both indoors and outdoors, allowing you to enjoy fresh basil year-round, regardless of your climate or available space.
• Healthy & Vibrant Start: You receive three healthy, established seedlings, approximately 4-7 inches tall, ensuring a strong foundation for your herb garden.
• Continuous Harvest: With proper care and regular harvesting, your Greek basil plants will continue to produce fresh leaves throughout the growing season.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Greek basil live plant is straightforward, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh, aromatic leaves. Basil thrives in warmth and sunshine, making proper light exposure crucial. For optimal growth, place your basil plants in a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. If growing indoors, a south-facing window is ideal, or supplement with a grow light, especially during shorter winter days. These plants prefer consistently moist, but not waterlogged, soil. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, and ensure good drainage to prevent root rot. Avoid overhead watering to minimize fungal issues; instead, water the soil directly at the base of the plant.

The ideal soil for your Greek basil live plant is a well-draining, fertile potting mix rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is preferred. These basil plants are generally hardy in USDA Zones 9-11 when grown outdoors, but can be cultivated as annuals in cooler climates or brought indoors before the first frost. Fertilize every 2-4 weeks during the active growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Pinch off flower buds as they appear to encourage bushier growth and prolong leaf production, ensuring you have plenty of culinary basil for your dishes. Watch out for common pests like aphids and spider mites, and treat promptly with organic insecticidal soap if necessary.

Size & Details

This offering includes a set of 3 Greek basil live plant seedlings, each carefully cultivated to ensure health and vigor upon arrival. The plants are approximately 4-7 inches in height when shipped, providing a robust start for your herb garden. They feature a naturally compact and bushy growth habit, typically maturing to a size of 8-12 inches tall and wide, making them a perfect compact basil plant for various settings. These plants are shipped in their nursery pots, with roots established in soil, ready for direct transplanting into larger containers or your garden bed. Greek basil is known for its relatively fast growth rate, allowing for initial harvests within a few weeks of planting. Expect a continuous yield of small, fragrant leaves throughout the growing season with regular pruning and harvesting.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: Each Greek basil live plant typically grows to a compact size of 8-12 inches tall and wide, making it an excellent choice for small spaces and containers. The seedlings you receive will be approximately 4-7 inches tall.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Greek basil is versatile and can be grown both indoors and outdoors. It thrives outdoors in warm climates (USDA Zones 9-11) and can be grown as an annual in cooler regions, or kept indoors year-round.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: For best results, your sweet basil herb requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. If growing indoors, place it in a bright, sunny window or under a grow light.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, Greek basil is known for being relatively easy to care for, making it suitable for both beginner and experienced gardeners. It’s a fast grower and responds well to regular watering and pruning.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your three Greek basil plants will arrive as healthy, established seedlings, approximately 4-7 inches tall, carefully packaged in their nursery pots with soil to ensure a smooth transition.
• Q: Can I use this basil in cooking? A: Absolutely! This variety is a highly prized culinary basil, offering a sweet and potent flavor perfect for Mediterranean dishes, pestos, salads, and more.
• Q: How long until I can harvest the leaves? A: You can typically start harvesting small amounts of leaves from your Greek basil live plant within a few weeks of planting, once the plant has established itself and started producing new growth.
• Q: What’s the best way to water it? A: Water your basil when the top inch of soil feels dry. Water thoroughly at the base of the plant, avoiding wetting the leaves, and ensure the pot has good drainage.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Greek basil is perennial in USDA Zones 9-11. In colder zones, it is typically grown as an annual or brought indoors before the first frost to protect it from cold temperatures.
• Q: Is this plant suitable for containers? A: Yes, its naturally compact and bushy growth makes it an excellent compact basil plant for growing in pots, containers, and window boxes, both indoors and outdoors.