Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Licorice Basil is an easy to grow annual herb that thrives in warm sunny, climates and well-draining soil. Reaching up to two inches tall, this compact plant works great in containers, raised beds, or directly in the ground as long as it gets adequate sunlight. Licorice Basil produces silvery green stems with purple tips, shiny leaves and vibrant flowers. Both the leaves and the flowers of this spicy-sweet herb are edible, and its flavor is much more pungent that other basil varieties like Genovese Basil. Licorice Basil has a bold and distinct anise or licorice flavor and can be used fresh for many culinary uses or dried and used as a spice or tea. In addition to its culinary applications, Licorice Basil has also been used as an herbal medicine and is said to have various health benefits such as aiding in digestion, improving respiratory health, and reducing inflammation.
NAME: Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
VARIETY: Licorice
DAYS TO MATURITY: 65 – 80 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Annual
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 3 – 11
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Sun
SOIL: Well-draining soil with a pH 6.2 – 7.0
SPACING: 12 – 14 inches
PLANT HEIGHT: 18 – 24 inches
TEMP: 55 – 95ºF
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
Start your seeds in cell trays or small pots with moist potting soil 2 to 3 weeks before your last local spring frost
Keep the soil evenly moist and temperatures above 65ºF and germination will occur in 15 to20 days
Provide light with a sunny windowsill or grow lights until the seedlings reach 3 inches tall
Before transplanting outdoors, harden off seedlings for several days. Do this by taking them outside during the day and bringing them in at night (Outside temps should be above 50°F when you start this process)
Locate an area that receives full sun with rich, loose, well-draining soil
Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep, directly into garden beds 1 to 2 weeks after your last local spring frost
Plant the seeds 2 inches apart
When seedlings sprout, thin them out so they are spaced 6 inches apart
Once they grow to be a few inches tall thin out once more so they are spaced a minimum of 12 inches apart
It is important to keep the soil continuously moist until the sprouts get to be 1 inch tall
If weather drops will drop below 50ºF, provide row covering of your choice to protect from cold damage
Cutting the plant stem above a leaf node will cause it to bush out more, which is recommended for more productivity and less tall leggy plants
Licorice Basil can be grown as an annual in most climates, but in warmer regions, it may behave as a perennial.
Pinch back the growing tips of the plants regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent them from becoming leggy.
Leaves may be harvested individually once the plant is over 8 inches tall; be careful not to overharvest and keep a few leaves on the plant for photosynthesis
Harvest leaves as needed throughout the growing season, but avoid harvesting more than one-third of the plant at a time to ensure continued growth.
