Basil 'Spicy Globe'

Ocimum basilicum

Almanac Planting Co Spicy Globe Basil. A mature basil plant as seen from a high side view.

Overview

Uses: Herb: can be used fresh or dried. May also be used for landscaping and as an indoor or outdoor potted plant. 

Benefits: Spicier and more flavorful than most other types of basil. Grows in a unique globe-like (spherical) shape. Perfect for cooking, especially when used fresh! 

Zones: 10 - 12 (grown as an annual in cooler zones w/ temperatures above 60°F)

Sun: Full (afternoon shade suggested in areas with very strong sun)

Life Cycle: Annual (Perennial in zones 10 - 12)

Mature Height: 14"

Mature Width: 10"

Bloom Season: Summer

Summary

Short, compact, spherical, and delicious! 

Spicy Globe Basil is best known by its unique growth habits, wonderful fragrance, and spicy, flavorful leaves. 

One of the best basils for pasta dishes, Caprese salad, and bruschetta! 

Although it may be frozen or dried, it's best when used fresh. 

It can be grown indoors and on your patio as a potted plant, and also thrives when planted outside assuming the soil and air temperatures are above 55°F.

Grows beautiful white flowers that attract pollinators and may be used in cooking. The flowers and stalks of Spicy Globe Basil are also an excellent garnish for cocktails! 

Provides a wonderful smell to the areas that it grows in. 

Care

Spicy Globe Basil Care

Provide at least 6 hours of full sun daily. 

Flower development will occur mid to late summer. Flowers may be pinched to encourage a bushy plant full of foliage. Flowers may also be left alone to provide area beautification, attract pollinators, harvested for use in cooking, or allowed to go into seed.

By pinching and preventing blooming you also help preserve the plants natural volatile oils which are responsible for the plants robust flavor and aroma.

Water regularly after planting or repotting, keeping soil moist but not wet until the plant is established. We suggest attempting to make sure your basil plant gets about 1" of water every week during periods of growth.

Established basil does best with the minimal amount of water and fertilizer required to keep it alive. Over watered and over fertilized basil seems to not have a taste as delicious as it should.

Basil is a great companion plant to most vegetables, but avoid growing with cucumbers and other herbs (especially sage). 

Planting with tomatoes will repel many pests and attract beneficial insects to your tomato plants.

This variety of basil likes warmer temperatures than many others. Do not allow exposure to temperatures below 60°F, as these temperatures may damage this plant. It does best in temperatures above 70°F and below 90°F. 

Size

Size of Spicy Globe Basil for Sale Online

The Spicy Globe Basil Plants that we sell online will ship in a greenhouse grade grow pot. Each plant will be appropriately sized for its pot. Please contact us with any specific questions.

Size of Spicy Globe Basil When Fully Grown

Spicy Globe Basil typically grows to a size of around 14" tall and 10" wide.

Additional Information

Botanical Name of Spicy Globe Basil

  • Ocimum basilicum

Toxicity and Risks of Basil

Ocimum basilicum is not considered to be toxic to people or pets when consumed in normal doses; however, it does contain chemicals such as estragole that can be toxic in large doses. 

It is very unlikely that anyone would consume enough basil to be concerned about the threat of estragole poisoning. One must be careful; however, not to drink too much basil tea or basil oil, as these sources often concentrate chemicals. As such, we suggest drinking no more than 2 cups of basil tea a day, and not eating or drinking any basil oil without guidance from a medical professional. 

 Almanac Planting Co Spicy Globe Basil. A view from the top looking directly down on top of a basil plant. There are lots of chartreuse leaves that are opposite of each other.

*This plant is a part of our Archived Plant Collection. Although no longer for sale on our online store, we keep pages like this on our site for the informational benefit of others. Please contact us if you're interested in purchasing large quantities of this plant, as we may be able to specially source and deliver plants for you.