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. Creeping Thyme
The comparison
Basil vs. Creeping Thyme
| Fact | | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Life cycle | Annual | Perennial |
| Germination time | 5–10 days | Not yet verified |
| Germination temperature | 18–21 °C64–70 °F | Not yet verified |
| Sowing depth | 6 mm¼ in | Not yet verified |
| Sun | Full sun, partial shade | Full sun, partial shade |
| Water | Not yet verified | Low |
| Containers | Yes | Yes |
| Frost tolerance | Tender (no frost) | Not yet verified |
| Soil pH | pH 6.0–6.5 | Not yet verified |
| Toxicity to cats | Non-toxic | Not yet verified |
| Toxicity to dogs | Non-toxic | Not yet verified |
| Links |
Up close
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- Herbs
- Herbs
Creeping Thyme
Thymus serpyllum
Difficulty: EasyGrows in potsCreeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a low perennial groundcover with fragrant leaves and pink to purple flowers. It grows in full sun and is drought tolerant once established.
How to grow creeping thyme
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Add a third seed, or swap one for a close relative from the same category.
Basil vs. Creeping Thyme vs. Bee BalmAdd bee balm as a third
Basil vs. Creeping Thyme vs. BorageAdd borage as a third
Basil vs. Creeping Thyme vs. Butterfly PeaAdd butterfly pea as a third- Basil vs. Bee BalmBasil against another herb
- Creeping Thyme vs. Bee BalmCreeping Thyme against another herb
- Basil vs. BorageBasil against another herb
The table, row by row
How to read a comparison
Every row is a fact from each seed's own profile, lined up so the differences stand out.
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.
Comparing
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