Basil
Ocimum basilicum
Botanical family: Lamiaceae
An annual herb of the Lamiaceae family (Ocimum basilicum), basil comes to us from the warm regions of Asia, where its sacred cousin tulsi has been revered for millennia. Very cold-sensitive, it fears the slightest frost and enjoys the sun in a rich, cool soil. Its leaves concentrate the essential oils (linalool, eugenol) that make all its fragrance.
Full sun
Rich, drained
Regular, keep the soil cool without waterlogging (dryness makes it bolt)
Annual (frost-sensitive)
An annual killed by frost in your zone
Role in permaculture
Emits volatile compounds (linalool, eugenol) reputed to hinder aphids and whiteflies.
Good companions
Traditional companion planting (benefit not demonstrated)
Insects attracted or useful
Seasons & availability
A summer harvest, June to October.
Available: June, July, August, September, October.
Guidance for the oceanic / temperate climate; it may vary with your region, altitude, exposure and growing method.
Sources
- RHS, « How to Grow Basil » (rhs.org.uk/herbs/basil/grow-your-own)
- La Ferme de Sainte Marthe, « Réussir la culture du basilic » (fermedesaintemarthe.com/en/blogs/comment-reussir-la-culture-de/reussir-la-culture-du-basilic)
Nutritional & medicinal properties
For educational purposes. Not a substitute for medical advice. Effects depend on the form, the dose and personal context.
Precautions & contraindications
Do not extrapolate the properties of the essential oils to the simple fresh leaf. Linalool basil essential oil and the methylchavicol (estragole) EO are to be avoided in infants, children, and pregnant women, estragole is classed a potential genotoxin by the EFSA. Normal culinary use without concern.
In the kitchen & the apothecary
Where to find basil in preparations: recipes and traditional herbal teas.
Family behaviour: Lamiaceae
In general, Lamiaceae are aromatics (basil, mint, thyme, rosemary, sage, lavender, lemon balm, savory). Their essential oils are reputed to bother some insects, but in a trial cited by Parker et al. (2013), sage, thyme and mint planted near cabbages did not reduce their pests. Their flowers are much visited by pollinators.
Understanding families means learning one rule per family rather than every pairing one by one. Learn more →
Species & varieties
The best-known species and varieties in France.
Species
Common varieties
Voices of peoples
Paraphrases attributed to their documented sources. Never an invented quote.
Hinduism and the Vedic tradition · India, millennia-old traditions still living today
In Hinduism, it is the tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum, holy basil), a cousin of the Western culinary basil, that is revered. It is planted in front of houses, greeted each morning, and considered a manifestation of the goddess Tulasi, consort of Vishnu. The Vedic tradition makes it one of the central medicinal plants of Ayurveda. Not to be confused with our culinary Ocimum basilicum, but the two share a deep history with humankind.
Padma Purana et Vishnu Purana (textes hindous classiques) ; Dominik Wujastyk, The Roots of Ayurveda, Penguin Classics, 1998, pour le tulsi dans la médecine ayurvédique.
The Western culinary basil (Ocimum basilicum) and the tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) are two different species of the same genus Ocimum.
Keep in mind
The repellent effect against aphids is likely but moderate: shown in vitro, more variable in the garden depending on density and weather. The idea that basil 'improves the taste' of the neighbouring tomato is not confirmed: three years of double-blind tastings showed no consistent preference (Bomford, 2004).
A note on rigour: many companion pairings are gardening folklore; this note sums up what the sources say, where there are any.
Key takeaways
- • Prefers full sun exposure.
- • Ideal soil: rich, drained.
- • Classic companion: Tomato.