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African basil

Ocimum gratissimum L.

Family: Lamiaceae · Genus: Ocimum

clove basil, tree basil

Placenta II Medium No biomass production 🪓 Coppices after cutting
no rights reserved · CC0 · iNaturalist

Short-lived perennial Lamiaceae, cousin of common basil (distinct species). EcoAgri lists it in the medium stratum of the 'up to 3 years' bin. Aromatic leaves with strong clove scent; medicinal and culinary.

Götsch succession

Götsch stage
Placenta II
Ecological role
Pioneer
Primary stratum
Medium
Strata
Medium, Low
Biomass class
No biomass production

Environment

Light requirement
Full sun
Water requirement
Moderate
Drought tolerance
Moderate
Waterlogging tolerance
Low
Soil pH range
6–7
Preferred soil texture
Loamy
Hardiness zones
10–12

Morphology

Mature height
0.5–1.5 m
Recommended spacing
0.5–0.8 m
Root system
Fibrous
Root depth
Medium
Growth rate
Fast
Lifespan
≤ 3 years
Time to first harvest
3 months

Biomes & climate

Köppen classes

Where it fits in a guild

African basil takes the Medium stratum in the Placenta II phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.

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Emergent High Medium · ≈2 m Low Ground cover

🪴 Cultivation

A woody warm-climate perennial subshrub (zones 10–12; grown as an annual where frost occurs), native to Africa and tropical Asia and naturalized in Brazil (Northeast, Southeast and South). Prefers well-drained loamy soil at pH ~6–7 and grows in full sun or light shade. Propagated by seed (erratic germination) or woody cutting. Does not tolerate waterlogging.

✂️ Management & Pruning

Tolerates pruning well; formative cuts and tip-pinching stimulate dense branching and fresh foliage, keeping the plant productive. Resprouts from the woody stem after cutting back.

❓ Frequently asked questions

How long until the first harvest of African basil?

The first harvest of African basil comes around 3 months after planting.

What spacing is recommended for African basil?

The recommended spacing for African basil is 0.5–0.8 m.

How tall does African basil grow?

At maturity, African basil reaches 0.5–1.5 m tall.

What stage and stratum does African basil occupy in a syntropic system?

In a syntropic system, African basil belongs to the placenta ii stage, occupying the medium stratum.

Functions

Aromatic Medicinal 🐝 Attracts pollinators

Propagation

Seed, Cutting

Citations

  1. EcoAgri — Organização de algumas espécies vegetais por tempo de vida (placentas) e estrato (Cartilha 'Liberdade e Vida com Agrofloresta') , p. 2 (primary_stratum, gotsch_stage)
  2. Pure Asia Seeds — The Ultimate Guide to Growing Ocimum gratissimum (African Basil) (ph_min, ph_max, soil_texture_preference, light_need, propagation, hardiness_zone_min, hardiness_zone_max)
  3. Horto Didático de Plantas Medicinais UFSC — alfavaca-cravo (Ocimum gratissimum) (height_min_m, height_max_m, description)

External references

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