Eleonora

Basil

Zone 1a Save Garden

🌱 60d to harvest Upright

Aromatic and luminous, Eleonora Thai Basil rises with a vivid, peppery fragrance that blooms into sweet anise-cool notes as the l…

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	May 25th
Last Frost	Jun 15th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jul 27th
Harvest Begins	Sep 25th
Harvest Ends	Jul 15th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Recommended Companions

Carolina Gold Tomato

Habanero Pepper

Red Gem Marigold

Giallo Marconi Pepper

Sweet Aperitif Tomato

Craig's Grande Pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil) like Eleonora, and how do I treat it?

Watch for downy mildew and basil blight, which often show up as yellowing patches, grayish growth on leaf undersides, and dark lesions in warm, humid weather. Remove and discard affected leaves early, water at the soil line (not the foliage), and improve airflow by spacing plants to prevent a dense canopy. If problems persist, use an appropriate basil-friendly fungicide labeled for downy mildew or basil blights and repeat according to the label.

How often should I water Ocimum basilicum during the main growing phase (after seedlings establish)?

Keep basil consistently lightly moist—about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on heat—so the top 1 inch of soil doesn’t dry out completely. Water deeply when the soil surface starts to dry, then avoid frequent shallow watering that encourages stressed roots and leaf diseases. In hot, full-sun conditions, that may mean watering every 1–3 days, but always check soil moisture first.

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

Harvest when plants reach roughly 8–12 inches tall and have multiple healthy sets of leaves, typically around 60 days from sowing with good growth. Use snips to remove leaf tops just above a pair of leaves to encourage branching; you should see new growth within about a week. Stop before flowering for the best leaf flavor—once flower buds begin to form, leaves become tougher and more bitter.

Aromatic and luminous, Eleonora Thai Basil rises with a vivid, peppery fragrance that blooms into sweet anise-cool notes as the leaves unfurl. Expect tender, narrow leaves with a crisp, succulent bite and a richly green sheen—ideal for fresh use and for building bold, fragrant sauces, stir-ins, and quick pickles where its signature lift shines. Grow Eleonora for a steady harvest over the season, with plants that hold their character as they mature toward flowering.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 60°F and nights stay above 50°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 10 days first.

Expert Note

Because Thai basil is warm-loving, transplant only after nights are consistently mild and keep plants evenly moist to maximize leaf yield and reduce disease pressure.