HerbsBasil
Ocimum basilicum
Difficulty: EasyGrows in pots
A fragrant, warm-season herb that's easy to grow from seed and does especially well in sunny pots. Start it indoors and move it outside only after the last frost.
How to grow basil
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Comparing Basil vs. Butterfly Pea vs. Bee Balm
The comparison
Basil vs. Butterfly Pea vs. Bee Balm
| Fact | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| Life cycle | Annual | Not yet verified | Perennial |
| Germination time | 5–10 days | 14–21 days | Not yet verified |
| Germination temperature | 18–21 °C64–70 °F | Not yet verified | Not yet verified |
| Sowing depth | 6 mm¼ in | Not yet verified | Not yet verified |
| Spacing between plants | Not yet verified | Not yet verified | 61 cm2 ft |
| Sun | Full sun, partial shade | Full sun | Full sun, partial shade |
| Water | Not yet verified | Not yet verified | Moderate |
| Containers | Yes | Not yet verified | Not yet verified |
| Frost tolerance | Tender (no frost) | Not yet verified | Not yet verified |
| Soil pH | pH 6.0–6.5 | Not yet verified | Not yet verified |
| Toxicity to cats | Non-toxic | Not yet verified | Not yet verified |
| Toxicity to dogs | Non-toxic | Not yet verified | Not yet verified |
| Links |
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- Herbs
- Herbs
Butterfly Pea
Clitoria ternatea
Difficulty: EasyButterfly pea is a fast-growing vine with sky-blue flowers that you can start from seed in full sun. Its flowers are used as a natural food coloring.
How to grow butterfly pea - Herbs
Bee Balm
Monarda didyma
Difficulty: EasyBee balm (Monarda didyma) is a perennial herb in the mint family with scarlet tubular flowers that draw bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. It grows best in full sun or partial shade.
How to grow bee balm
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Sprouting
Germination time and temperature
How many days the seeds take to sprout, and the temperature range they sprout in.
Sowing
Sowing depth and spacing
How deep to sow each seed and how far apart the plants should grow. “On the surface” means the seed isn't covered.
Timing
Days to maturity and life cycle
How long until the plant is ready, counted from sowing or from transplanting (each value says which). Annuals live one year, biennials two, perennials longer.
Light and water
Sun and water
Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sun a day, partial shade a few hours. Water needs are rated low, moderate or high.
Space and weather
Containers, frost tolerance and soil pH
Whether it grows in a pot, with the smallest pot when it's known. Frost tolerance runs from tender (no frost) to hardy. Soil pH 7 is neutral.
Pets
Toxicity to cats and dogs
Whether the plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
Quick wins
Fastest to sprout
Days from sowing until the first shoots appear, in good conditions.
Pet friendly
Safe around cats and dogs
Listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Each seed's page has the details.
Not safe for pets: borage, buckwheat, caraway, carnation and 14 more.
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