Overview

Bring the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean to your kitchen with this set of 3 Greek Basil live plants. Each healthy plant measures between 4-7 inches tall, ready to thrive in your home or garden. Greek Basil (Ocimum basilicum minimum) is a beloved culinary herb cherished for its distinctively small, intensely fragrant leaves and classic sweet basil aroma. Unlike larger-leafed varieties, Greek Basil maintains a compact, bushy growth habit, making it an excellent choice for windowsills, containers, and smaller garden spaces. This versatile sweet culinary herb is a must-have for anyone who appreciates fresh, aromatic ingredients in their cooking, offering both beauty and utility.

These vigorous young plants are carefully cultivated to ensure a strong start in your care. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just beginning your journey into growing herbs, these Greek Basil live plants provide an accessible and rewarding experience. Enjoy the satisfaction of harvesting your own fresh basil, elevating your dishes with its unparalleled flavor and fragrance. It’s an essential addition to any basil herb garden, providing a continuous supply of aromatic leaves.

Key Benefits

Growing your own Greek Basil live plant offers a multitude of advantages, from enhancing your culinary creations to beautifying your living space. These compact and fragrant herbs are incredibly rewarding to cultivate.

• Culinary Excellence: Provides a continuous supply of fresh, aromatic leaves perfect for Mediterranean dishes, pesto, salads, and garnishes. The classic sweet basil flavor is concentrated in its small leaves.
• Compact Growth Habit: Its naturally bushy and compact form makes it ideal for small spaces, windowsills, kitchen counters, and container gardening. It’s a perfect indoor basil plant for urban gardeners.
• Fragrant & Aromatic: Emits a delightful, sweet basil scent that can naturally freshen your home or garden, creating a pleasant and inviting atmosphere.
• Easy to Grow: Known for its low-maintenance nature, making it suitable for both beginner and experienced gardeners. It’s a resilient sweet culinary herb that thrives with basic care.
• Decorative Appeal: Beyond its use as a sweet culinary herb, its attractive, dense foliage and spherical shape add a touch of lush greenery to any indoor or outdoor setting.
• Continuous Harvest: Regular pruning for culinary use encourages bushier growth and a prolonged harvesting season, ensuring a steady supply of fresh basil.
• Health Benefits: Basil is rich in antioxidants and essential oils, offering potential health benefits when incorporated into your diet. A fresh basil herb garden provides easy access to these benefits.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Greek Basil live plant is straightforward, ensuring a bountiful harvest of fragrant leaves. For optimal growth, Greek Basil thrives in locations that receive full sun to partial shade. This means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, especially if grown outdoors. When cultivating an indoor basil plant, place it near a south-facing window or under grow lights to provide sufficient illumination. In hotter climates, some afternoon shade can prevent the leaves from scorching.

Well-draining, nutrient-rich soil is crucial for healthy basil. A good quality potting mix amended with compost or organic matter works well for container planting. Ensure pots have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, which can be detrimental to the roots. Water your Greek Basil live plant moderately, keeping the soil evenly moist but never soggy. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering can cause wilting. During hot, dry periods, you may need to water more frequently. Fertilize sparingly with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season to support continuous leafy growth. Pinch off flower buds as they appear to encourage the plant to produce more leaves rather than going to seed. This practice is key to maintaining a productive sweet culinary herb.

Greek Basil is typically grown as an annual in most climates but can be perennial in warmer USDA zones 9–11. It prefers temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C) and can be sensitive to cold. Protect your plants from frost. Common issues like aphids or whiteflies can be managed with organic insecticidal soap. Regularly inspect your basil herb garden for any signs of pests or disease to address them promptly. Proper air circulation also helps prevent fungal issues.

Size & Details

This offering includes three individual Greek Basil live plants, each standing approximately 4-7 inches tall from the base of the soil to the tip of the foliage. These plants are shipped in their nursery pots, ready for immediate transplanting into larger containers, raised beds, or directly into your garden. Greek Basil is a compact, bushy variety, typically reaching a mature height of 12-18 inches and a similar spread, depending on growing conditions and pruning. Its moderate growth rate ensures a steady supply of fresh leaves throughout the growing season.

The plants arrive carefully packaged to minimize stress during transit, ensuring they reach you in excellent condition. Expect them to settle quickly into their new environment, providing you with a fragrant and productive sweet culinary herb for many months. Each plant is robust and well-rooted, providing a strong foundation for your basil herb garden. You’ll find these plants are a perfect size for creating an instant herb collection or adding to an existing one.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: Your Greek Basil live plant typically grows to a compact size of 12-18 inches tall and wide at maturity, making it ideal for containers or small garden spaces. Its bushy habit is perfect for an indoor basil plant.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: The plants are shipped in standard nursery pots, the size of which is suitable for their current 4-7 inch height. We recommend transplanting them into a larger pot (6-8 inches in diameter) soon after arrival for continued growth.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Greek Basil can thrive both indoors and outdoors. It’s an excellent indoor basil plant when placed in a sunny window, and it also flourishes in outdoor gardens or patio containers during warmer months.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This sweet culinary herb prefers full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Partial shade can be tolerated, especially in hot afternoon sun, but full sun encourages the best flavor and growth.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, growing Greek Basil is considered relatively easy, making it suitable for gardeners of all experience levels. It requires consistent watering, good drainage, and plenty of sunlight to thrive.
• Q: Can I use Greek Basil in cooking? A: Absolutely! Greek Basil is a highly prized sweet culinary herb. Its small, fragrant leaves are perfect for Mediterranean dishes, pestos, salads, sauces, and as a fresh garnish.
• Q: What condition will the plants arrive in? A: Your Greek Basil live plants will arrive carefully packaged to ensure they are healthy and vibrant. They are ready to be planted or transplanted into your garden or containers upon arrival.
• Q: When is the best time to plant? A: For outdoor planting, the best time is after the last frost in spring. For indoor growing, you can plant your indoor basil plant year-round, as long as it receives adequate light and warmth.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Greek Basil is generally grown as an annual. It will only survive winter outdoors in warmer climates (USDA zones 9–11). In colder zones, bring your plants indoors before the first frost, or plan to replant next spring for your basil herb garden.