Dolly

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Bask in Dolly’s lush, velvety leaves—an aromatic rush of sweet, bright basil that feels almost floral as you brush past the plant.

The foliage forms a dense, upright mound with tender, medium-to-large leaves that stay flavorful and fragrant at harvest, making it a standout for fresh use and vibrant flavoring. Grow Dolly for spoonfuls of green freshness in salads and finishing touches, and for fragrant pesto and herb-forward sauces that shine with its sweet basil character.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 40 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 4th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 6th
Harvest Begins	Jul 16th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	40
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

Dolly sweet basil brings a lush, velvety leaf and a more floral-leaning sweetness, so it really reads as fresh—treat it like a finisher as much as an ingredient. Chop or blitz briefly: you want fragrant green oils, not a cooked, bruised taste.

Best Uses

torn-leaf salads and quick dressings where the leaves stay plush
blended pesto that leans glossy and sweet rather than sharp
finishing herb for hot pasta, beans, and grilled vegetables at the last moment
herb-forward sauces (quick blitz with olive oil, lemon, and salt)

Flavor Profile

sweet, bright basil aroma tender, velvety leaf texture light floral lift on the finish

Kitchen Pairings

extra-virgin olive oil lemon juice garlic parmesan mozzarella chicken (or roasted vegetables)

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem most commonly affects Ocimum basilicum (basil), and how do I control it?

Basil commonly gets downy mildew, which shows up as yellow patches on the upper leaf surface and gray-purple growth on the underside, especially in humid weather. Remove and discard infected leaves immediately, avoid wetting foliage when watering, and improve airflow by spacing plants farther apart. If it keeps spreading, switch to a preventive fungicide labeled for basil/downy mildew and restart with clean starts/seed.

How often should I water Ocimum basilicum during active growth to keep it thriving?

During the ~40-day growing period, water basil whenever the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, aiming for evenly moist (not soggy) soil. In full sun, this often means watering about 2–3 times per week, but adjust based on how quickly your soil dries. Water at the soil line in the morning so leaves dry quickly, and never let pots sit in runoff water.

How can I tell when Ocimum basilicum is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants have formed a full set of leaves and reach about 6–8 inches tall, typically around 35–40 days after sowing. Pick sprigs just above a pair of healthy leaves to encourage branching, and stop harvesting for good only when growth begins to slow or flowering starts. If flower buds appear, pinch them off promptly to keep leaves tender and flavorful.