Plant Guide

Other Names:  Fine Leaf Dwarf Basil

Description:

A dwarf culinary variety that produces very small, fine green leaves; small stems produce white flowers in summer; pinch flower stems to promote leaf growth; great for mixed containers, herb gardens, and annual beds

Edible Qualities

Dwarf Fineleaf Basil is an annual herb that is commonly grown for its edible qualities. The small fragrant pointy light green leaves are usually harvested from early summer to early fall. The leaves have a zesty taste and a pleasant fragrance.

The leaves are most often used in the following ways:

• Fresh Eating
• Cooking
• Seasoning

Planting & Growing

Dwarf Fineleaf Basil will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 10 inches apart. This fast-growing annual will normally live for one full growing season, needing replacement the following year.

This plant is typically grown in a designated herb garden. It should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Dwarf Fineleaf Basil is a good choice for the edible garden, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.