Queenette

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Queenette Thai Basil unfurls with a fragrant, anise-citrus lift that rises from deep green leaves as soon as they’re brushed—an aromatic signature that feels vivid and alive.

The foliage is tender and finely textured, with a slightly peppery sweetness that shines in fresh applications and turns especially compelling when warmed. Grow Queenette for a compact, upright habit that keeps harvesting effortless and flavor-forward from early summer through the first cool nights.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Bush

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Queenette 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 4th	Jul 27th	Sep 10th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	Jul 20th	Sep 3rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	Jul 10th	Aug 24th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	Jul 10th	Aug 24th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	Jul 14th	Aug 28th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	Jul 10th	Aug 24th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	Jul 8th	Aug 22nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	Jul 3rd	Aug 17th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	Jun 29th	Aug 13th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	Jun 26th	Aug 10th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Jun 20th	Aug 4th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Jun 15th	Jul 30th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Jun 5th	Jul 20th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	May 27th	Jul 11th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	May 18th	Jul 2nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	May 1st	Jun 15th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Apr 6th	May 21st – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
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

Queenette Thai basil hits with a clear anise-citrus perfume that stays crisp rather than turning dull—use it late for maximum lift. Warm it gently (oil, infusion, or finish) and it blooms; overcooking mutes that lively, slightly sweet peppery edge.

Best Uses

quick torn-leaf finishing on hot noodles and rice
warmed infusion for garlicky oils and quick pan sauces
Thai-style herb-forward stir-fries (add near the end to keep perfume)
bright pesto variations where anise notes can stand up

Flavor Profile

anise-citrus lift slightly peppery sweetness finely textured, tender leaves highly aromatic when warmed

Kitchen Pairings

lime garlic chile fish sauce coconut milk mozzarella

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Ocimum basilicum (Thai basil/“Queenette”) plants getting black spots or wilting, and what can I do?

Check the undersides of leaves for small sap-sucking insects (often aphids) and look for leaf spotting that spreads after cool, wet weather—both commonly flare in crowded, damp foliage. Remove badly affected leaves, water at the soil line (not on the foliage), and improve airflow by spacing plants so leaves don’t stay wet. If aphids are present, rinse them off with a strong spray and repeat every 2–3 days until new growth is clean.

How often should I water Ocimum basilicum during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture target should I maintain?

Water Queenette when the top 1 inch (2–3 cm) of soil feels dry; aim for evenly moist soil, not soggy. During active leaf growth (after seedlings establish), this usually means deep watering about 2–3 times per week in warm weather, but less in cooler periods. Consistent moisture helps prevent stress-related leaf drop and keeps growth compact.

How do I know when Ocimum basilicum (“Queenette”) is ready to harvest?

Start harvesting when plants are about 6–8 inches tall and have multiple sets of true leaves—typically around day 45, depending on conditions. Harvest in the morning by snipping above a leaf pair to encourage branching; take only up to about one-third of the plant at a time. When flowering begins, leaves can taste sharper, so harvest regularly before heavy flowering for the best flavor.