El Greco Basil GRAFTED plants - Ocimum basilicum

This grafted El Greco Basil is a variety with a very compact ball-shaped habit, with fine and fragrant leaves. Use the leaves to flavour salads, marinades, or make pesto. Basil is an annual aromatic plant that requires warmth to grow. It can be grown in pots or in the ground, depending on the climate. Plug plants of this grafted variety can be planted from April to June, after the last frost. Grafting allows for a faster and more abundant harvest.

The grafting technique involves giving a desired variety (here, 'El Greco') the root system of another specially selected variety, called the rootstock. This rootstock has excellent resistance to soil parasites and diseases, which provides the plant with extra vigour: it becomes more resistant to challenging external conditions (such as cold climates) and will yield significantly more than a non-grafted plant. Fruit production starts earlier and lower on the main stem in grafted plants.

Except for a few perennial varieties, Basil is an herbaceous annual plant native to India, reaching a height of 30 to 50 cm (12 to 20in) depending on the variety. It has upright, branched stems with a square cross-section, like most Lamiaceae plants. The ovate leaves, usually green, are highly aromatic and commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine, especially Italian. There are many varieties, some with leaves that emit scents of lemon, cinnamon, licorice, thyme, and more. Some varieties have purple foliage.

Basil is sensitive to cold and requires temperatures above 15°C (59°F) to grow. It can be grown in pots or in the ground, depending on the climate, and prefers sunny and sheltered locations. Fun fact: Basil repels mosquitoes and carrot flies!

In the kitchen, Basil leaves pair perfectly with tomato salads, pasta dishes, and are used to make pesto.

Harvesting: It should be done as needed, preferably in the morning.

Storage: It is best to consume the fresh leaves quickly to fully enjoy their fragrance. You can also place them in a bottle of olive oil to flavour your dressings. For longer storage, you can freeze or dry basil leaves, although they will lose some of their aroma.

Gardener's tip: We recommend mulching the soil with thin layers of grass clippings, ideally mixed with dead leaves. This protective layer helps keep the soil moist, limiting the need for watering, and also reduces weed growth.