Basil

Basic Information

Seed Number

59

Seed Name

Basil

Variety

Spicy Globe

Category

Herb

Plant Family

Lamiaceae

Plant Type

Compact globe basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 24

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jul 15

Plantable Months

March, April, May, June, July

Indoor Start

Mar 24 – Apr 7

Direct Sow

May 19 – Jul 15

Transplant

May 19 – Jun 15

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

6 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

2 weeks

Germination Days

5–10 days

Harvest/Maturity

70 days

Succession Planting

21 days

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

65-70°F

Planting Depth

1/4 in

Plant Spacing

6-8 in

Row Spacing

12-18 in

Thin-To Spacing

6-8 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Keep evenly and consistently moist; do not allow prolonged drought

Soil Preference

Moderately rich, moist, well-drained soil

Minimum Container Size

1 gal

Plant Height

6-15 in

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

Fedco Seeds; Everwilde Farms; University of Minnesota Extension; Michigan State University pollinator guidance; Redford frost-date data

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors or direct sow after frost once soil has warmed
Original Start Planting Date: Apr 10 – Apr 17
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 15 – Jul 20
Container Friendly: Yes; excellent for pots/window boxes
Pollinator Friendly: Yes, if allowed to flower
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary herb; traditional herbal use
Succession / Reusable Notes: Pinch/harvest regularly for branching and repeated harvests; seed can be saved, but nearby basil varieties may cross.
Zone 6B Notes: True warm-season herb; protect from cool nights/frost. Pots can be moved or protected.
Companion Plants: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, marigolds, other warm-season vegetables/flowers
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Cold weather, soggy soil, fungal disease; prune regularly and pinch flowers for leaf production
Sources: Fedco Seeds; Everwilde Farms; University of Minnesota Extension; Michigan State University pollinator guidance; Redford frost-date data

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Spicy Globe basil is frost-sensitive. Start indoors approximately 6 weeks before planting out and wait until about 2 weeks after the May 5 frost date for reliably warm outdoor conditions.
Germination: Basil germinates rapidly in warm, evenly moist media. Avoid chilling seedlings.
Harvest: Harvest small leaves and tender tips regularly. Pinching growing tips maintains the compact globe form and delays flowering.
Seed Saving: Allow selected flower spikes to mature and dry. Basil varieties can cross through insect pollination, so isolation is required for true-to-type seed.
Special Care: Spicy Globe is a compact, tiny-leaved basil suited especially well to containers, edging and small spaces.
Research Source: Burpee — https://www.burpee.com/garden-guide/edible-gardening/herbs/the-mint-family_article10584 — Spicy Globe identification as a tiny-leaved basil type
Research Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — https://www.rareseeds.com/basil-seeds-spice-boys-globe — closely matching compact globe basil habit, 6-15 inch height, culinary flavor and container suitability
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/herbs/basil/basil-key-growing-information.html — basil germination, soil temperature, sowing depth, indoor-start timing, moisture and spacing
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]