Ocimum basilicum 'Tauris' (Basil)

Description: Basil Tauris is a robust and vigorous sweet basil variety specifically bred for improved disease resistance and enhanced culinary performance. This tender annual herb produces abundant large, glossy dark-green aromatic leaves with a classic warm, peppery basil flavour ideal for fresh cooking. Tauris is particularly valued for its resistance to basil downy mildew, a common fungal problem in UK gardens, making it significantly more reliable than traditional basil varieties. The plant develops a naturally compact, bushy habit when regularly pinched back, encouraging continuous leaf production throughout the growing season. Its generous foliage yield and robust vigour make it an excellent choice for both kitchen gardeners and culinary enthusiasts seeking consistent harvests. Perfect for sunny windowsills, containers, raised beds, and sheltered patios across South England, Tauris performs best in warm conditions and well-drained fertile soil. Regular harvesting from the top promotes branching and delays flowering, extending the productive season from June through October. This variety is frost-tender and must be grown outdoors only after the last frost date (typically mid-May in South England) or maintained indoors on a bright windowsill.

Other benefits: deciduous, culinary, kitchen-garden, containers

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 0.5m x 0.3m

Position: full sun to partial shade