Ocimum campechianum
Least basil · Mosquito Basil · Basil · Peruvian basil
Description
Source: leafsnapOcimum campechianum is a plant species in the family Lamiaceae, widespread across Mexico, Central America, South America, the West Indies, and Florida.Leaves of Ocimum campechianum are eaten in Brazil's Amazon jungle. Similar to basil, it has a pungent flavor and contains essential oils which have been used ethnomedicinally. In Amazonia, the aromatic leaves are used as an admixture in ayahuasca brews. The plant is known as albahaca in Mexico and called xkakaltun in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, where it is considered a honey plant and is used as an abortifacient. It is referred to in Brazil as alfavaca and has also been referred to as albahaca del monte, Amazonian basil, wild sweet basil, wild mosquito plant, least basil, Peruvian basil, spice basil, alfavaca-do-campo, manjericao and estoraque.
Care Guide
💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun
Least basil is a sun-loving, perennial herbaceous plant native to open habitats, commonly occurring in meadows and grasslands. It prefers full sun but can also tolerate partial sun.
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C
Least basil comes from tropical areas, where the climate is usually warm and humid. Consequently, it is well adapted to high heat and moisture. It dislikes sudden temperature shifts and prefers a steady temperature, so it's important to avoid fluctuations indoors. It typically cannot withstand cold and needs warmer conditions to grow. If the environmental temperature falls too much, the plant may stop growing or even die.
💨 Humidity normal (40-60%)
This plant will thrive in moderate humidity, which is probably the level in your home. However, misting it a few times a week can be very beneficial. Make sure the room has good ventilation.
🪴 Soil 6-8
🌱 Fertilizer
Least basil needs the most fertilizer during its active growth period, which takes place mainly in spring, summer, and early fall. Fertilization provides essential nutrients that the soil may lack, supporting healthy root and stem development and the attractive foliage that is a distinguishing feature of this plant.
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Herb
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Ocimum
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 10-12
- Mature Height
- 30 cm to 61 cm
- Mature Spread
- 30 cm to 46 cm
- Leaf Color
- Green, Dark Green
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen
- Flower Size
- 0.51 cm to 0.76 cm
- Bloom Time
- Summer, Early fall, Mid fall
- Planting Time
- Autumn, Winter
- Harvest Time
- Late summer, Fall, Early winter
- Native Area
- Belize, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Panama, Jamaica, Colombia, Bahamas, Cuba, Bolivia, Venezuela, Guyana, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Costa Rica