Wild Basil
Clinopodium vulgare
Also listed as Satureja vulgaris, Acinos vulgaris
Also known as Cushion Calamint, Dogmint, Field Basil
Climate Match for your location
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Wild Basil is a hardy, drought-tolerant perennial with small purple-pink flowers that attract pollinators and provide late-season color. It is aromatic and attracts bees and butterflies to sunny, dry garden areas.
Why grow it
Wild Basil is a perennial alternative to annual basil species, offering reliable return each year without replanting. Its lower fertility requirements and drought tolerance make it suitable for lean soils and water-limited gardens where culinary basils often struggle. Unlike tender annuals, it provides structure through winter dormancy and late-season forage for pollinators when other nectar sources decline.
Watch out for
Plants may take two seasons to reach full vigor and flower production, so patience is needed before assessing establishment success. In rich, consistently moist soils, it can become leggy or prone to powdery mildew, so ensure good air circulation and avoid overwatering once established. The flavor profile differs notably from culinary basil varieties, tending toward more herbal and oregano-like notes rather than sweet basil characteristics.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Europe and Western Asia
Native to: Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Wild Basil is a hardy, drought-tolerant perennial with small purple-pink flowers that attract pollinators and provide late-season color. It is aromatic and attracts bees and butterflies to sunny, dry garden areas.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Wild Basil grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Wild Basil is a perennial alternative to annual basil species, offering reliable return each year without replanting. Its lower fertility requirements and drought tolerance make it suitable for lean soils and water-limited gardens where culinary basils often struggle. Unlike tender annuals, it provides structure through winter dormancy and late-season forage for pollinators when other nectar sources decline.
Watch out for
Plants may take two seasons to reach full vigor and flower production, so patience is needed before assessing establishment success. In rich, consistently moist soils, it can become leggy or prone to powdery mildew, so ensure good air circulation and avoid overwatering once established. The flavor profile differs notably from culinary basil varieties, tending toward more herbal and oregano-like notes rather than sweet basil characteristics.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Europe and Western Asia
Native to: Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar herbs you might consider:
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