Ornamental Basil Magic White Organic - Ocimum basilicum

The Magic White Organic Basil is a hybrid variety of Ocimum basilicum with vigorous growth, an ornamental and aromatic plant that is less sensitive to cold than other varieties. In summer, a beautiful tuft of stems adorned with pleasantly fragrant leaves emerges, along with beautiful white flower spikes with mauve bracts, which are decorative and highly visited by bees. Basil is grown as an annual in any soil that remains moist, in the vegetable garden or in pots or containers on the terrace, balcony, or window sill. The plug plants of this variety are produced using organic farming methods. Planting is done from April to June, after the last frost. The leaves are harvested as needed.

Apart from a few perennial varieties, Basil is an annual herbaceous plant native to India, which reaches a height of 30 to 50 cm (12 to 20in) depending on the variety. The 'Magic White' selection reaches a height of about 70-80 cm (28-32in) when flowering. The plant develops upright, branched stems with a square cross-section, like most Lamiaceae plants (thyme, sage, lavender, mint, etc.). The oval, green leaves are highly aromatic and are commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine, especially Italian. There are many varieties, some of which have leaves with scents of lemon, cinnamon, licorice, thyme, etc. Some varieties have purple foliage.

The Magic White Basil will thrive even if the temperature is slightly below 15°C, unlike regular basil. It can be grown in pots or in the ground depending on the climate, preferring sunny and sheltered locations. Fun fact: Basil repels mosquitoes and carrot flies!

In terms of cooking, Basil leaves go wonderfully well with tomato salads, pasta dishes, and are used to make pesto.

Harvesting: It is best to harvest the leaves as needed, preferably in the morning.

Storage: It is ideal to consume the fresh leaves quickly to fully enjoy their aroma. You can also add them to a bottle of olive oil to infuse your dressings. For longer storage, it is possible to freeze or dry the Basil leaves, although they may lose some of their aroma.

Gardening tip: To reduce watering, we recommend mulching the soil with thin layers of grass clippings, if possible mixed with dead leaves. This protective layer helps keep the soil moist and also reduces weed growth.