Pistou

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Pistou to a garden.

Fragrant as a sunlit garden path, Pistou basil unfurls with lush, medium-to-large leaves that feel velvety to the touch and release a bright, classic aroma when brushed.

The flavor is vivid and balanced—sweet-green with a gentle peppery lift—ideal for turning everyday dishes into fragrant favorites. Grow Pistou for steady, bushy harvests from early summer through the season, with tender leaves that shine fresh and also hold their character beautifully in sauces and pesto-style blends.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Bush

Location not set yet

Enter your ZIP for local crop dates

Pistou 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	May 18th	Jul 13th	Sep 1st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	May 11th	Jul 6th	Aug 25th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	May 1st	Jun 26th	Aug 15th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	May 1st	Jun 26th	Aug 15th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	May 5th	Jun 30th	Aug 19th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	May 1st	Jun 26th	Aug 15th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 29th	Jun 24th	Aug 13th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 24th	Jun 19th	Aug 8th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 20th	Jun 15th	Aug 4th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 17th	Jun 12th	Aug 1st – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Apr 11th	Jun 6th	Jul 26th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Apr 6th	Jun 1st	Jul 21st – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 27th	May 22nd	Jul 11th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 18th	May 13th	Jul 2nd – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Mar 9th	May 4th	Jun 23rd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 20th	Apr 17th	Jun 6th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 26th	Mar 23rd	May 12th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
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

Pistou basil’s sweet-green aroma with a mild peppery edge is made for dishes where the herb is the headline—torn fresh, swirled into pistou/pesto, or lightly warmed without losing its perfume. Keep it out of heavy heat; it stays velvety and fragrant when it’s added at the end or blended and served quickly.

Best Uses

fresh torn-leaf finish for salads and bean dishes
no-cook pistou-style spoon-over for warm vegetables and bread
pesto-style blend where you want a fragrant, smooth herb hit
quick sauté or wilt-in for green sides before seasoning

Flavor Profile

sweet-green basil fragrance gentle peppery lift velvety-leafy tenderness bright, aromatic punch

Kitchen Pairings

garlic extra-virgin olive oil aged Parmesan lemon zest white beans mozzarella

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a common pest or disease for Ocimum basilicum (basil), and how should I treat it?

Basil commonly suffers from downy mildew (often seen as pale yellow patches on top leaves with a gray-purple growth underneath). Remove and discard infected leaves immediately, then improve airflow and avoid wetting foliage when watering. If it keeps spreading, use a labeled fungicide for downy mildew on basil and keep plants well spaced in full sun.

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

During active leaf growth, keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—typically about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusted for heat and container size. Water at the base early in the day so leaves stay dry, and let the top 1–2 cm of soil dry slightly between waterings. Consistently soggy soil promotes root problems and faster leaf diseases.

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

Harvest at around 50 days to maturity, but start earlier when plants have several sets of true leaves and are 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) tall. Pinch or cut just above a pair of leaves to encourage branching, and harvest before flowering because leaf quality drops once buds form. If the plant begins to flower, pick frequently to slow bolting.