Plants
basil
Ocimum basilicum L.
Family: Lamiaceae · Genus: Ocimum
sweet basil
Aromatic annual or short-lived perennial Lamiaceae. Pasini lists it in the high stratum of Tabela 3 (grown as a low-stratum species in beds). Attracts pollinators; leaves used in pasta and salads.
Götsch succession
- Götsch stage
- Placenta I
- Ecological role
- Pioneer
- Primary stratum
- Low
- Strata
- Low
- Biomass class
- No biomass production
Environment
- Light requirement
- Full sun
- Water requirement
- Moderate
- Drought tolerance
- Moderate
- Waterlogging tolerance
- None
- Soil pH range
- 5–8
- Preferred soil texture
- Loamy, Sandy
- Hardiness zones
- 9–11
Morphology
- Mature height
- 0.2–0.7 m
- Recommended spacing
- 0.3–0.45 m
- Root system
- Fibrous
- Root depth
- Shallow
- Growth rate
- Very fast
- Lifespan
- ≤ 2 years
- Time to first harvest
- 2 months
Biomes & climate
- Atlantic Forest Suitable
- Cerrado Suitable
Köppen classes
- Tropical savanna with dry winter (Aw) Suitable
- Subtropical with dry winter (Cwa) Suitable
- Humid subtropical (Cfa) Suitable
Where it fits in a guild
Basil takes the Low stratum in the Placenta I 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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🪴 Cultivation
A frost-sensitive annual (killed by light frost) needing daytime temperatures above ~21 °C. Prefers fertile, well-drained sandy-to-loamy soil at pH 5–8 (optimum 6–7.5) and full sun. Shallow roots rot in waterlogged soil — keep moist without saturating. Space 30–45 cm apart. Pinching out flower spikes prolongs leaf harvest.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How long until the first harvest of basil?
The first harvest of basil comes around 2 months after planting.
What spacing is recommended for basil?
The recommended spacing for basil is 0.3–0.45 m.
How tall does basil grow?
At maturity, basil reaches 0.2–0.7 m tall.
What stage and stratum does basil occupy in a syntropic system?
In a syntropic system, basil belongs to the placenta i stage, occupying the low stratum.
Functions
Propagation
Seed
Citations
- Pasini, F. & Guimarães, L. (2017) — Tabela 3 (Incaper) , p. 116 (primary_stratum)
- Plants For A Future (PFAF) — Ocimum basilicum (height_max_m, ph_min, ph_max, soil_texture_preference, light_need, propagation, hardiness_zone_min, hardiness_zone_max)
- Plant Biology & Gardening Insights — How to Grow Basil (Ocimum basilicum) (spacing_min_m, spacing_max_m, ph_min, ph_max, waterlogging_tolerance, root_depth)
External references
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