What Causes Basil Leaves to Turn Yellow? And How to Fix It?

Sweet basil plant with yellow leaves.

Basil will turn yellow for several reasons, some are easily rectified and some are incurable depending on how far along in the growing season you’ve gotten. Diseased Plants will turn Yellow Root rot [damping off] is a common reason for the yellowing of basil plants. Basil requires ample water, but if you’ve overdone it, or … Read more

Does Basil Keep Flies Away?

Fresh basil in a pot on a dark background.

Many herbaceous plants with strong aromatic essential oils are known to repel the smaller flies such as gnats, some varieties of lavender repels mosquitoes, some varieties of mint repels ants and Basil may repel flies. There are a gazillion varieties of basil, it’s a fragrant herbaceous plant that is grown by multiple cultures Internationally. In … Read more

20 of Best Basil Varieties to Grow at Home

Top down view of several different types of basil growing in a herb garden.

There are over 50 varieties of Basil as well as some plants that are not true basil but are grown as such due to similar characteristics. Some varieties have a hint of citrus, while others have a cinnamon or a licorice-anise flavor. Some have purple leaves but most are green. Basil is used by many … Read more

Optimizing Hydroponic Basil

Starting Basil Plants – Seeds or Cuttings Basil is a bushy annual, most varieties grow 1 to 2 feet tall. Growing Hydroponic Basil is failry easy – although not without it’s snafus. Basil can be started from seed or from cuttings. Starting Basil from Seed Basil seeds are minute, black and oval shaped. Start seeds … Read more

Green Ruffles Basil: Plant Profile and Growing Tips

'Green Ruffles' lettuce leaf basil growing in a garden.

Annual / Perennial [1]Genus: Ocimum Species: basilicumVariety: Green RufflesOpen PollinatedFull SunSoil pH 5.5 to 6.5Hardiness zones 3 to 9 as Annual 10+ as a perennialDays to Germination: 7 to 14 days [2]Days to Maturity: 65 to 70 days [2]Foliage Color: Deep GreenBloom Color: pinkish-purple / lavenderPlant Height: up to 24 inches [2]Frost Sensitive – Don’t … Read more

Christmas Basil Plant Profile

Annual / Perennial [1] Genus: Ocimum Species: basilicum Variety: Christmas Open Pollinated / Hybrid / Determinate Full Sun Soil pH 5.5 to 6.5 Hardiness zones 3 to 9 as Annual 10+ as a perennial Days to Germination: 6 to 10 days [2] Days to Maturity: 55 to 65 days [2] Foliage Color: Glossy Green Bloom … Read more

Miniature Basil Trees

Basil is grown for its flavorful leaves, in America we are most familiar with its qualities in tomato sauces, pestoes and salads, other ethnic groups have found many more uses for it. There are about 50 Basil varieties and some plants that are not true basil but are grown as such due to similar characteristics. … Read more

Pesto Perpetuo Basil: Plant Profile and Growing Tips

Pesto Perpetuo Basil plant growing in a herb garden.

PerennialGenus: OcimumSpecies: basilicumVariety: Pesto PerpetuoFull SunSoil pH 5.5 to 6.5Hardiness zones as perennial 9 to 11Days to Germination: n/aDays to Maturity: 30-60 daysFoliage Color: Tricolor Lime Green, Creamy white, Dark Green stripesNon FloweringPlant Height: 20 to 24 inches claims of up to 4 feet tallPlant Width: 16 to 18 inchesFrost Sensitive Pesto Perpetuo is non-flowering … Read more