Nufar Basil

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Fragrant as a warm summer breeze, Nufar Basil unfurls with rich, glossy leaves that feel velvety to the touch and hold their aromatic lift from first harvest to the next.

Expect a sweet, classic basil flavor with a clean, bright finish—ideal for fresh use and for stirring into fragrant sauces, pesto-style blends, and quick pickling brines where its perfume can shine. A favorite for gardeners who want dependable, lush growth and a steady supply of tender leaves at about 60 days.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

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Nufar Basil Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Apr 20th	Jul 20th	Sep 18th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 13th	Jul 13th	Sep 11th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	Jul 3rd	Sep 1st – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	Jul 3rd	Sep 1st – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	Jul 7th	Sep 5th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	Jul 3rd	Sep 1st – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	Jul 1st	Aug 30th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	Jun 26th	Aug 25th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	Jun 22nd	Aug 21st – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	Jun 19th	Aug 18th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Jun 13th	Aug 12th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Jun 8th	Aug 7th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	May 29th	Jul 28th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	May 20th	Jul 19th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	May 11th	Jul 10th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	Apr 24th	Jun 23rd – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Mar 30th	May 29th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

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

Nufar basil’s aromatic lift stays crisp and floral, so it’s worth treating like a high-wire act—add it at the end, keep it warm not hot, and it’ll stay fragrant instead of fading. Use it in pesto/paste or brines where its sweet, clean finish can cut through fat and salt without turning harsh.

Best Uses

tear-and-toss fresh salads so the leaves stay glossy, not mushy
blitz for a classic pesto-style paste with nuts and cheese
stir into quick pan sauces or warm pasta off-heat to preserve aromatics
quick pickling brines where basil stays fragrant instead of turning bitter

Flavor Profile

sweet basil perfume velvety, tender leaf texture clean, bright finish with a lifted aroma

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil Parmesan mozzarella pine nuts white vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Ocimum basilicum (Nufar basil), and how can I manage it?

On basil (Ocimum basilicum), downy mildew is a frequent problem, showing as yellow patches on the upper leaf surface with gray-purple growth underneath. Remove and discard infected leaves early, avoid wetting foliage, and increase airflow around plants. If it’s spreading, treat preventively with a labeled fungicide for downy mildew on basil and keep plants under full sun for faster drying.

How often should I water Nufar basil during the main growth phase, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

During active leaf growth (roughly weeks 3–8), keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for the top 1 inch of soil to dry slightly between waterings. In full sun, this typically means watering 1–3 times per week depending on weather and container size. Water at the base so leaves stay dry, which helps reduce disease pressure.

How do I know when Nufar basil (Ocimum basilicum) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants reach about 6–8 inches tall and have several pairs of mature leaves (about 50–60 days to maturity). Pick leaf clusters just above a set of leaves to encourage branching, rather than removing the whole stem at once. For best flavor, harvest in the morning before temperatures peak and when leaves are still tender.