Ocimum basilicum

Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil) — a tender, fragrant annual herb native to tropical Asia, prized in kitchens worldwide and once known as the “royal herb.” The botanical home of our basil range.

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  • €4,95

    Thai basil for aromatic leaves and color thai basil seeds are an annual herb choice for gardeners who want a distinctive basil with ornamental appeal and a bold, culinary-friendly aroma. This basil Thai variety seeds...

  • Sweet Basil Mixed Mix seeds (Ocimum basilicum) – annual herb Sweet Basil Mixed Mix (Ocimum basilicum) – annual herb seeds from SeedsChoice
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    €3,96€4,95

    Sweet basil mix for colorful kitchen gardens sweet basil mixed seeds bring variety to your herb collection with a lively blend of aromas, leaf shapes, and colors. This annual herb seed selection is based on...

  • Basil Dark Opal Purple Leaf seeds (Ocimum basilicum) – annual herb Basil Dark Opal Purple Leaf (Ocimum basilicum) – annual herb seeds from SeedsChoice
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    €3,96€4,95

    Deep purple basil for pots and borders basil dark opal seeds produce a striking annual herb with reddish stems and dark red basil leaves that stand out in beds, edging, and mixed containers. This variety...

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    Classic Italian basil for everyday kitchen use basil italiano classico seeds are a classic choice for gardeners looking for a traditional Italian basil with a well-known Genovese character. This annual culinary herb is valued for...

  • Sweet Basil Siam Queen seeds (Ocimum basilicum) – annual herb Sweet Basil Siam Queen (Ocimum basilicum) – annual herb seeds from SeedsChoice
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    Compact Thai basil with decorative purple flowers sweet basil siam queen seeds are an annual herb choice for gardeners who want a compact, ornamental basil with standout deep red to purple flower spikes. This Siam...

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    Napolitano basil with distinctive lettuce-like leaves napolitano basil seeds are an annual herb seed choice valued for their bold, broad foliage and classic Mediterranean character. This large leaf basil variety is known for producing generously...

  • Cinnamon Basil seeds (Ocimum basilicum) – annual herb Cinnamon Basil (Ocimum basilicum) – annual herb seeds from SeedsChoice
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    Distinctive annual herb with warm cinnamon aroma cinnamon basil seeds produce an attractive annual basil variety with a gentle cinnamon-like fragrance and flavor, making it a popular choice for kitchen gardens and decorative plantings. This...

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    Organic lemon basil for fresh citrus aroma lemon basil seeds are a great choice for anyone looking to grow an annual herb with a distinctive citrus scent and flavour. This organic selection of Ocimum basilicum...

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    Large-leaved basil for kitchen and containers Sweet basil seeds are an excellent choice for gardeners who want a classic, large-leaf basil with a traditional look and aroma. This annual herb is valued for its generous...

  • Sweet Basil Red Lizzy seeds (Ocimum basilicum) – annual herb Sweet Basil Red Lizzy (Ocimum basilicum) – annual herb seeds from SeedsChoice
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    €3,56€4,45

    Sweet basil with bold red lettuce leaves sweet basil red lizzy seeds produce an eye-catching, red leaf basil variety with notably large, lettuce-like foliage and a classic basil aroma. This annual culinary herb is valued...

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    Distinctive purple basil for kitchen gardens basil red lizzy seeds are a striking choice for growers who want deep purple foliage and a bold basil presence in beds, borders, or pots. This large leaf basil...

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    Blue Spice basil seeds for fragrant gardens blue spice basil seeds produce a distinctive, highly aromatic basil with compact green leaves and an eye-catching flower display. This blue spice basil variety is valued for its...

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    Fine leaf basil for pots and beds basil seeds are ideal for gardeners who want a compact, fine-textured annual herb with plenty of aromatic foliage. This fine leaf basil seed variety forms neat plants with...

  • Basil Siam Queen seeds (Ocimum basilicum) – annual herb Basil Siam Queen (Ocimum basilicum) – annual herb seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,96€4,95

    Compact Thai basil with decorative purple blooms basil siam queen seeds are an annual herb option valued for a neat, compact plant habit and eye-catching purple flowers. This variety is often chosen by gardeners looking...

  • Lemon Basil Microgreens seeds (Ocimum basilicum) – annual microgreens Lemon Basil Microgreens (Ocimum basilicum) – annual microgreens seeds from SeedsChoice
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    €3,96€4,95

    Fresh citrus flavor for microgreens and pots lemon basil seeds are an excellent choice for anyone looking to grow a bright, aromatic annual herb with a sweet citrus character. This variety is well suited to...

  • Lemon Basil seeds (Ocimum basilicum) – annual herb Lemon Basil (Ocimum basilicum) – annual herb seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,96€4,95

    Lemon basil for fragrant, compact garden planting lemon basil seeds are an annual herb option valued for their fresh citrus-like aroma and bright, lively presence in the garden. This lemon scented basil forms a neat...

  • Basil Rosie seeds (Ocimum basilicum) – organic annual herb Basil Rosie (Ocimum basilicum) – organic annual herb seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,96€4,95

    Organic purple basil for bold kitchen flavor basil rosie seeds are an organic choice for gardeners who want a striking, dark-leaved basil with a distinctive anise-scented basil aroma. This annual herb is valued for its...

  • €4,95

    Distinctive basil with oversized lettuce-like leaves basil a foglie di lattuga seeds produce a vigorous annual herb with notably large, slightly blistered foliage and a rich, classic basil scent. This large leaf basil variety is...

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    Neapolitan basil with large, blistered green leaves basil bolloso napoletano seeds are an annual herb choice known for vigorous growth and impressively large, bright green foliage. This neapolitan basil variety develops slightly blistered leaf basil...

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    Fine Green Bush Basil for Compact Pots fine green bush basil seeds produce a neat, compact basil plant with a naturally rounded, globe-like habit and small leaves. This is a small leaf basil variety valued...

Ocimum basilicum — sweet basil

Ocimum basilicum, known to most gardeners simply as sweet basil, is a tender aromatic annual in the mint family (Lamiaceae) and one of the world's most popular culinary herbs. Warm, fragrant and quick from seed, it is the botanical heart of our wider basil range within the culinary herb collection.

History & origin

Basil is native to the warm regions of tropical Asia and Central Africa, with its cultivation in India stretching back more than 5,000 years. There it was revered as a sacred and medicinal plant — holy basil, or tulsi, remains deeply woven into Indian tradition to this day. From its homeland basil travelled the ancient spice routes to Persia, the Mediterranean and beyond, becoming a cornerstone of Italian, Greek and Southeast Asian cooking.

Its name carries that long history: it comes from the Greek basileus, meaning “king” — the “royal herb” — perhaps because it was used in royal perfumes and remedies. Through the centuries basil has been linked to everything from love and protection to mourning, and few herbs have gathered such a rich tapestry of folklore around a single plant.

Botanical characteristics

Basil is a bushy, soft-stemmed annual reaching 30–60 cm, with glossy, intensely fragrant leaves and upright spikes of small white or purple flowers that bees adore. Its aromatic oils — chiefly those giving the familiar clove-and-anise scent — vary widely between types, which is why the species is so diverse. Sweet Genovese is the classic for pesto; Thai basil brings a spicy, aniseed note; lemon and lime basils add citrus; and dark-leaved purple forms are as ornamental as they are tasty. All are varieties of the same species. As a tender annual it also sits among our annual herbs and, for its scent alone, our aromatic herbs.

Growing Ocimum basilicum from seed

Basil needs warmth above all else. Sow indoors from spring in gentle heat, keep seedlings bright, and never let them sit cold and wet — water in the morning rather than the evening to avoid the damping off that fells so many young plants. Once established, pinch out the growing tips regularly: this keeps plants bushy, delays flowering and gives you far more leaf over the season. Basil thrives in a sunny, sheltered spot or a pot on a warm windowsill, and is a classic companion for tomatoes in the garden and on the plate. Our herb growing guide and herb sowing calendar cover the timing and care in full.

Ready to grow basil? Explore the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Basil · Culinary Herbs · Annual Herbs · Aromatic Herbs · All Herb Seeds

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ocimum basilicum?
It is the botanical name for sweet basil, a tender aromatic annual in the mint family and one of the most widely grown culinary herbs.

Where does basil originate?
It is native to tropical Asia and Central Africa, and has been cultivated in India for more than 5,000 years.

What does the name basil mean?
It comes from the Greek basileus, meaning “king” — basil was long known as the royal or kingly herb.

Is basil annual or perennial?
It is a tender annual, killed by frost, so it is sown fresh each year.

How do I grow basil from seed?
Sow indoors in warmth in spring, keep it bright, water in the morning and pinch the tips to keep plants bushy.