Nufar

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Nufar Italian Basil unfurls with an aromatic, cool-weather perfume—bright, green, and unmistakably basil-sweet from the first pinch.

Leaves are tender and generously sized, with a smooth, velvety surface and a lush, upright habit that keeps foliage coming through the 60-day season. Ideal for fresh pesto-style sauces, fragrant garnishes, and bold flavoring in salads and finishing blends, Nufar’s leaves hold their character beautifully when used at their peak.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 6th
Harvest Begins	Aug 5th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Nufar Italian basil is built for flavor-first eating—its tender, velvety leaves stay clean and aromatic, so the whole point is to use it fresh or at the very end. Treat it like a finishing herb: bright acid (lemon) and olive oil make its cool green sweetness sing, while overcooking will mute the perfume fast.

Best Uses

fresh pesto-style sauces that need a vivid, upright basil perfume
grinding or bruising into finishing oils and vinegar for immediate fragrance
torn-leaf salads where leaves stay tender and don’t turn stringy

Flavor Profile

bright basil-sweet aromatics cool-weather green, slightly minty lift tender, velvety leaves with clean herbal snap

Kitchen Pairings

garlic Parmesan extra-virgin olive oil lemon mozzarella pine nuts

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most common on sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum), and how can I control it at home?

Watch for downy mildew and basil downy mildew-like symptoms, which show up as yellow patches on upper leaves with gray-purple growth on the underside in humid conditions. Improve airflow (space plants, avoid wetting leaves), remove badly affected leaves, and if the problem persists, use a labeled fungicide that’s approved for basil in your area. Also control fungus gnats by letting the top layer of soil dry slightly between waterings.

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

During active growth, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for the top 1 inch to dry slightly before watering again. In full sun, this often means watering about every 2–4 days, but adjust based on your container size and heat. Water at the soil level in the morning to prevent leaf wetness, which increases mildew risk.

How do I know when Ocimum basilicum is ready to harvest?

Start harvesting around day 60 (or sooner if plants are vigorous) when plants have multiple sets of true leaves and are at least 6–8 inches tall. Harvest by pinching or cutting just above a pair of healthy leaves to encourage branching; avoid taking more than about one-third of the plant at a time. Once flowering begins, leaf quality declines, so harvest regularly before or at the first signs of flower buds.