Ocimum, Great Italian Mammoth Leaf Basil
Ocimumbasilicum 'Monstruoso'

Family: Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Ocimum (OSS-ih-mum)
Species: basilicum (bass-IL-ee-kum)
Cultivar: Monstruoso

Category
Annuals
Herbs

Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Sun Exposure
Full Sun

Foliage
Grown for foliage
Shiny/Glossy

Foliage Color

Height
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)

Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)

Hardiness
Not Applicable

Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual

Danger

Bloom Color

Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall

Other details

Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)

Patent Information

Propagation Methods
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season

Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored