Cinnamon

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Fragrant as a warm spice trunk—Cinnamon Basil releases a cinnamon-sweet perfume the moment you brush its leaves, with a gentle herbal backbone and a softly peppery lift.

The foliage is tender and richly textured, forming a lush, upright mound of glossy leaves that hold their character beautifully in fresh use and when warmed. Grow Cinnamon Basil for bold, aromatic flavor in herb-forward dishes, pesto-style sauces, and fragrant finishing touches—an easy way to perfume your garden and your table with a distinctive, cinnamon-kissed signature.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Moses Lake (Zone 7a).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 9th
Last Frost	Apr 20th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 1st
Harvest Begins	Jul 31st
Harvest Ends	Oct 20th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Cinnamon Basil tastes like someone cracked open a warm spice drawer and sprinkled it with fresh garden greens—the payoff is immediate aromatics, not heavy cook-time flavor. Treat it like a finishing herb (or add late) so the cinnamon note stays bright instead of turning flat under long heat.

Best Uses

quick-blend pesto-style sauces where it can perfume the oil before it dulls
chopped fresh over warm tomatoes or grilled peaches for aromatic lift
steeping in syrups or gentle vinegars for a fragrant, not-too-spicy sweetness
finishing torn leaves onto hot grains, roasted chicken, or lamb just off the heat

Flavor Profile

cinnamon-sweet top note gentle herbal backbone softly peppery, warm finish tender, glossy leaf texture

Kitchen Pairings

olive oil garlic lemon honey parmesan chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Ocimum basilicum (cinnamon basil), and how can I manage it?

Cinnamon basil is prone to downy mildew (yellow patches on leaves with gray-purple growth on the underside) in humid weather. Remove and discard infected leaves, improve airflow with wider spacing, and water the soil directly so foliage stays dry. If it keeps recurring, rotate away from basils and apply a copper-based fungicide label-approved for basil when you first see symptoms.

How often should I water Ocimum basilicum during the main growing phase?

During active leaf growth, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) per week total, adjusted for heat and container size. Water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, and avoid frequent shallow watering that encourages stressed, disease-prone plants. Mulch around the base helps stabilize moisture for this fast-growing basil.

How do I know when cinnamon basil is ready to harvest?

Start harvesting once plants are about 8–10 inches tall (typically around 60 days), with multiple sets of true leaves. Harvest by cutting above a leaf pair so the plant can branch, and take lighter harvests early on, then more frequently as the canopy fills in. Stop major harvests when flowering begins if you want maximum leaf quality and cinnamon-sweet aroma.