How to Grow Cinnamon Basil
Ocimum basilicum
Cinnamon Basil is a fragrant culinary herb prized for its spicy-sweet flavor that enhances salads, sauces, and teas. Gardeners grow this warm-season variety to add vibrant green foliage and aromatic leaves to their kitchen gardens or containers throughout the summer.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Cinnamon Basil: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Cinnamon Basil is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures are consistently warm, as cold snaps will kill this tender herb.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 for optimal growth. Since Cinnamon Basil is a frost-sensitive warm-season crop, wait until after your last spring frost when the soil has warmed up before planting outdoors directly or moving seedlings outside. Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep; they typically germinate within five to ten days under these warm conditions.
Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart to ensure adequate air circulation and light exposure. Provide consistent moisture, aiming for one inch of water per week, and avoid letting the soil dry out completely while ensuring good drainage. Apply a thin layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds without touching the stems.
Watch for aphids, Japanese beetles, slugs, and whiteflies; inspect leaves regularly and remove pests by hand or use organic sprays if infestations occur. Prevent fungal diseases like Fusarium wilt by avoiding overhead watering and ensuring good airflow. Harvest leaves once the plant reaches maturity at 65 days after sowing, snipping stems just above a leaf node to encourage bushy growth.
When to Plant Cinnamon Basil
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 10 | January | — | April – December |
Companion Plants for Cinnamon Basil
✓ Good companions
Basil repels asparagus beetles and both plants benefit from similar soil conditions
Basil improves soil structure and repels carrot flies and other root pests
Basil provides light shade for lettuce and repels aphids that damage leafy greens
Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects that protect basil
Similar growing requirements and mutually beneficial pest deterrent properties
Compatible growing conditions and basil attracts beneficial insects that protect parsley
Basil deters aphids, spider mites, and thrips that damage pepper plants
Basil repels hornworms and aphids that commonly attack tomatoes, may enhance tomato flavor
✗ Keep away from
Allelopathic compounds inhibit basil growth and development
Competes for nutrients and may inhibit basil growth through root competition
Different watering needs and thyme's aggressive spreading can crowd out basil
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
