Growing Basil

Ocimum basilicum : Lamiaceae / the mint family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
S S           S S S S S
T T T           T T T T

(Best months for growing Basil in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 18°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 25 cm apart
  • Harvest in 10-12 weeks. Pick before flowering.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Tomato

Your comments and tips

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27 Aug 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
I would dispute that the Perth sun is stronger than normal sun. 35 or 40 degrees is the same everywhere. It is the humidity or dryness that is the difference. A humid 35 degrees in SE Qld is just as prickly as a 40+ dry Easterly in Perth. I have lived in both and I know which I would prefer - WA.
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20 Aug 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look up the internet for how much sunlight vegies need. You can find a table that shows this. Some need 4 some 6 some 8 hours. Most plants need quite a lot of sunlight - otherwise you end up with small weak plants.
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07 Jul 18, LD (Australia - arid climate)
My Basil is being invaded by caterpillars. How can I get rid of them?
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23 Sep 18, Louise G (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Small green caterpillars. Either pick them off by hand or sprinkle with ground pepper for an organic fix. You may need to squirt leaves with water first. This works with spinach and mint too.
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24 May 18, Margaret (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you get a basil that grows in winter I get morning and northern sun my other herbs are growing great
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25 May 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I was given a basil plant yesterday - from up north Queensland. He said it flowered in the late winter - spring. Growing it for bee attraction. Will ask what it is called tomorrow.
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14 Nov 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
This plant is now a 1.2m ball of leaves and flower/seeds.
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24 May 18, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Basil is frost-tender and needs lots of sunlight
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20 Nov 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I garden at a men's shed and the boss bought some perennial basil back from Townsville to Bundy in June. I planted it in a light truck tyre with some good soil, put a supporting wire mess cone around it and boy has it grown. It is now a 1.2m ball and has heaps of flowers and bees.
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08 Apr 18, Dale (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have just pulled out about 10 basil plants ( lots of seedlings coming up) because I am so sick and tired of the cloud of grasshoppers taking residence in our veggie patch and eating the basil... Basil is one of my favorite herbs ,but these grasshoppers are really owning my patch...any advise would be much appreciated.
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Showing 11 - 20 of 79 comments
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Can someone please help?? I have searched and searched the internet and i can not find anything even remotely similar to my problem! My newly bought and planted (about a month ago) basil is suddenly sprouting some very oddly shaped leaves. Instead of the normal shape the new growth is small, thickish and rubbery looking (like a succulent) and shovel head shaped and a bit lighter in colour. It is in a styrafoam rectangle planter box planted along side coriander & I have them in nearly full sun (under shade cloth and not in the late arvo) and is given a small drink every morning because its quite hot at the moment. When planted i used organic compost. I also spoke to the local nursery but they have never heard of this either... Has anyone come across this?? What is it? Can i still eat my basil?

- Bridget

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