Botanical profile

'Boxwood' Basil

Latin name
Ocimum basilicum 'Boxwood'
Common name
'Boxwood' Basil
Type
Annual
Family
Lamiaceae

‘Boxwood’ basil is a compact and highly decorative variety, prized for its naturally dense, rounded, and well-structured habit. Its small, fine, and very aromatic green leaves resemble the appearance of boxwood, making it an excellent choice for creating pretty edible borders, neat herb pots, gourmet planters, or decorative arrangements near the kitchen. Despite its ornamental appearance, it retains the classic scent of basil and can be easily used in sauces, salads, pestos, tomato dishes, pasta, and summer recipes.

Easy to grow, ‘Boxwood’ basil prefers a warm, sunny, and wind-protected location, in fertile, light, and well-drained soil. It performs particularly well in containers, on a patio, balcony, or in an urban garden, where its compact habit remains tidy and easy to maintain. Regular watering helps keep the foliage tender and flavorful, while avoiding excess water around the roots. To keep the plant bushy, it is recommended to frequently harvest young shoots and pinch back stem tips as needed.

Very versatile, ‘Boxwood’ basil is perfect for gardeners looking for an herb that is productive, aesthetic, and easy to integrate into small spaces. Its dense foliage allows for the creation of an edible mini-hedge effect, ideal for structuring a vegetable garden, framing a flower bed, or beautifying decorative pots. It is an original and practical basil variety, combining culinary freshness, intense aroma, and great ornamental value throughout the season.

Care guide

Care level
Easy

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Very compact habit reminiscent of boxwood and aromatic edible foliage
Vegetable garden, herbs, balcony, container, edible border
Container growing
Excellent in pots in a small well-drained container
Seasonal care
Pinch lightly to maintain a compact habit; remove flowers to prolong leaf production
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Not hardy
Exposure
Full sun
Watering
Regular; keep the soil slightly moist without waterlogging
Humidity
Average humidity; prefers warm, well-drained soil
Fertilization
Light and regular fertilizing in pots; avoid excess nitrogen
Soil type
Fertile, light, warm, and well-drained soil
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral
Minimum temperature
10°C
Propagation method
Seed or cutting
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Summer to Fall Harvest and Bloom
Flower color
White to pale purple
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Persistent in hot climates
Shape
Compact, dense, and rounded habit
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
25 to 40 cm (10 to 16 in.)
Width
20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 inches)
Growth rate
Rapid growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, parsley
Spacing
20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 inches)
Harvest period
Leaves from spring to fall
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

Repellent
Helps repel certain pests

Repellent

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.