Piccolino Basil

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Fragrant as a warm summer breeze, Piccolino Basil forms a dense, compact mound of small leaves that release a bright, sweet-anise lift with every touch.

The foliage is tender and finely textured—succulent enough for fresh use, yet substantial for drying or bundling—so your harvest stays lush and aromatic. Grow Piccolino Basil for bold leaf flavor in sauces, finishing oils, and herb-forward garnishes, or to brighten salads and quick tosses with its signature perfume.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Piccolino Basil

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 21st
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 13th
Harvest Begins	Aug 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
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

Piccolino basil’s dense, tender leaves make it ideal for high-aroma applications—bruise it and it practically fogs the kitchen with sweet-anise perfume. It stays delicate without turning bitter, so you can use it fresh as a last move, or lean on it in pesto and finishing oils where its small-leaf punch holds up.

Best Uses

tear-and-fold into pesto for a fragrant, small-leaf bite
bruise into finishing oil or melted butter and dress warm vegetables at the last second
chiffonade over salads and caprese-style plates so it doesn’t drown the rest
dry or bundle for intense, perfumed seasoning in winter soups

Flavor Profile

bright sweet-anise top note succulent, tender small-leaf texture clean basil aromatics with a gentle peppery finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon olive oil parmesan mozzarella white beans

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem is most likely on Ocimum basilicum (Piccolino basil), and what should I do?

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) commonly gets downy mildew, which shows as yellow patches on the upper leaf surface with a gray-purple growth underside. Improve airflow (space plants, avoid crowding) and water at the soil line so foliage stays dry; remove and discard infected leaves immediately. If it keeps spreading, use a labeled fungicide for basil downy mildew and repeat per the label schedule.

How often should I water Piccolino basil during its main growing phase?

During the main growth period (about weeks 3–8), keep the soil consistently lightly moist—water when the top 1 inch feels dry. Basil in full sun dries quickly, so check daily in warm weather and water deeply to wet the root zone rather than frequent light sprinkles. Avoid waterlogged soil, which can encourage root stress and disease—ensure pots/drains or beds are well drained.

How can I tell when Ocimum basilicum (Piccolino basil) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 60 days when plants are well-leafed and have sturdy stems, typically once they have several sets of true leaves. Pick in the morning and take the top 2–4 inches by snipping just above a leaf pair to trigger branching. Continue harvesting regularly; leaves should be firm and fragrant, and you should avoid letting plants flower if you want maximum tender leaf production.