Cinnamon Basil
Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon'
herbA warm, spicy basil with a distinct cinnamon-clove aroma from the essential oil methyl cinnamate. Beautiful purple stems and pale pink flowers make it ornamental as well as culinary. Excellent in fruit salads, tropical drinks, desserts, and as a garnish. Slightly more compact than Genovese basil.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 3 days
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Harvest
~65 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
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Spacing
8-12 in
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Planting Depth
1/4 in
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 10
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
At planting; light balanced feed every 3 to 4 weeks
Fertilizer
Balanced 10-10-10 or fish emulsion at moderate rate
🌱 Growing Guide
Grow exactly like sweet basil: start indoors 4 to 6 weeks before last frost, transplant after soil warms, grow in full sun. The cinnamon-clove scent is most intense in warm weather. Allow a few plants to flower for ornamental value and for seed-saving; pinch back others to maintain leaf production. Grows 18 to 24 inches with a pleasingly upright, tidy habit.
Planting Calendar
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Start seeds indoors
Mar 4
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
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Projected first harvest
Jul 3
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Tomato — Aromatic deterrence of common pests; mutual garden benefit
- Pepper — Compatible neighbor with similar heat requirements
- Marigold — Together create a strong pest-deterrent planting combination
- Strawberry — Basil said to improve strawberry flavor and deter pests
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Water spray; insecticidal soap; beneficial insect habitat
Diatomaceous earth around base; handpick at night after rain
Good airflow; avoid wet foliage; copper spray if needed
Annual bed rotation; remove symptomatic plants immediately; do not compost diseased material
🌾 Harvest & storage
Harvest young stem tips regularly to encourage branching. The cinnamon scent is strongest in mid-morning. Use fresh in fruit salads, mixed drinks, and desserts. Dry at low temperature (below 100 F) to preserve aromatic compounds. Makes beautiful dried herb sachets and potpourri as well as culinary seasoning.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Contains methyl cinnamate, linalool, and eugenol — essential oils with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Provides vitamin K, vitamin A, and manganese. Cinnamon basil tea is used traditionally for digestive support.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.