Rutgers Devotion

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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

Fragrant as a warm summer breeze, Rutgers Devotion Italian basil unfurls into lush, glossy leaves with a sweet, peppery lift and a distinctly clean, aromatic finish.

The foliage is tender and richly textured—substantial enough to hold its character in the garden, yet never coarse—making it a favorite for fresh bouquets and bold, fragrant flavoring. Grow it for standout pesto and herb-forward sauces, or simply tear leaves to perfume olive oil and vine-ripened tomatoes at their peak.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Rutgers Devotion

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

Rutgers Devotion Italian basil has the kind of sweet-pepper aroma that survives blending—so pesto comes out glossy and fragrant instead of green and muted. Use it late in sauces and dressings to keep its clean, aromatic snap.

Best Uses

blitzed pesto with a bright, sweet-pepper lift
chopped herb-forward sauces (add late to keep the perfume)
torn-leaf olive oil maceration for tomato-free flavoring
finishing herb for warm pasta where the leaves stay fragrant, not dull

Flavor Profile

sweet, peppery top note fragrant, clean aromatic finish tender leaves with lush, not-coarse texture

Kitchen Pairings

Parmigiano-Reggiano Pecorino Romano extra-virgin olive oil garlic lemon zest mozzarella

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases commonly affect Ocimum basilicum (basil) like Rutgers Devotion, and how do I control them?

Watch for basil downy mildew (yellowing spots on upper leaves with gray-purple growth underneath) and for aphids that cluster on new growth. Remove and discard infected leaves early, improve airflow, and avoid wetting foliage when watering. For aphids, spray plants with a strong jet of water and repeat every 2–3 days; if needed, use an insecticidal soap, focusing on leaf undersides and new shoots.

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

During active leaf growth, keep the top 1 inch of soil evenly moist but not soggy; basil in containers typically needs watering about every 2–4 days depending on heat. Water at the soil level in the morning so leaves dry quickly, because continuously wet foliage encourages mildew. If leaves wilt during the day but recover by evening, water deeply once rather than giving small daily splashes.

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

Harvest when plants reach roughly 6–8 inches tall and most stems have at least 4–6 sets of leaves, typically around 50 days from sowing for Rutgers Devotion. Pinch or cut just above a pair of leaves to encourage branching; your first harvest is usually tender enough for fresh use. Stop major harvesting when flowering starts—then leaves get smaller and less flavorful, though you can still harvest small amounts for a short time.