Attributes

• Basil grows to 18 inches and has broad, green leaves. Bushy in appearance, basil leaves range from light to dark green depending on type and soil quality. This annual self-sows easily under the right circumstances.
  
  

Growth Requirements

• Basil grows best when provided sufficient heat, light and irrigation. Basil does not thrive in temperatures that dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It grows well from seed or transplants. For easy accessibility, basil can be grown in pots.
  
  

Uses

• Basil is widely used in the kitchen in fresh or dried forms. Italian dishes, such as pizza and pesto, commonly include basil, which also flavors oils and vinegars. Cosmetically, basil appears in shampoos and soaps, and it has medicinal uses. as well.