Herb (tender annual)
Basil
Ocimum basilicum
The most temperature-sensitive common herb — it sulks below 10°C and needs regular pinching to stay leafy rather than flowering.
| Light | Full sun, 6+ hours |
|---|---|
| Water | Regular; do not let it wilt repeatedly |
| Spacing | 20-30 cm |
| Zones | Annual everywhere; damaged below 10°C |
| Harvest | Begin pinching at 15-20 cm tall, continuously |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Pinch, don't wait
Pinch out the growing tip above the second set of leaves as soon as the seedling has four leaves. This forces branching from the base and roughly doubles eventual yield compared with letting a single stem run.
Stop flowering to keep flavour
Once basil flowers, leaf production slows and flavour turns slightly bitter. Pinch off flower spikes the moment you see them.
More plant profiles
- TomatoThe most-grown vegetable in home gardens, and the one most improved by consistent water and a cage or stake set at planting time.
- LettuceA fast, forgiving crop that bolts to seed in heat, so timing and shade matter more than soil fertility.
- Courgette (Zucchini)Notoriously prolific once established — the challenge is rarely growing it, it's using the harvest fast enough.