Queenette Thai Basil is a compact, flowering basil variety that reaches just 12 to 18 inches tall, making it surprisingly manageable for containers and garden edges. Unlike many basil cultivars grown primarily for foliage, this one blooms reliably from summer through fall, attracting pollinators with fragrant flowers that extend the plant's ornamental value well into November. It takes approximately 455 days from seed to full bloom, rewarding patient gardeners with months of both harvest-ready leaves and delicate flower clusters that add visual interest to edible gardens.
1
Full Sun
Moderate
10-11
18in H x 12in W
—
High
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The real charm of Queenette Thai Basil lies in its dual personality. It delivers the flavor and aromatics you expect from Thai basil while also offering genuine ornamental value through its summer-to-fall bloom cycle. The compact 12-inch mature height fits almost anywhere, whether tucked into a sunny border, grouped in containers, or nestled alongside other sun-loving herbs. Bees and butterflies visit regularly, turning your basil patch into a living pollinator magnet.
Thai basil is a cornerstone ingredient in Southeast Asian cooking, particularly in stir-fries, curries, and aromatic dishes where its slightly spicy, licorice-tinged leaves add distinctive depth. The flowers, which appear reliably through the season, can be used as an edible garnish or dried for tea. Gardeners also grow it for its pollinator-attracting qualities, turning a functional herb into a garden workhorse.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost date. Plant seeds 1/8 inch deep and keep the soil at 70 to 90°F; seedlings typically emerge within 5 to 10 days. Transplant outdoors after the soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Move seedlings outdoors after the last frost date, once soil temperatures have warmed. Space plants 1 inch apart in full sun. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over several days before final planting.
Direct sow seeds after the last frost date, planting 1/8 inch deep. Thin seedlings to 1 inch apart as they emerge.
Harvest leaves regularly by pinching off the top growth; this encourages bushier, more productive plants. Pick leaves in the morning after the dew has dried for the strongest flavor. As flowers develop, you can harvest them for culinary or ornamental use. Continued harvesting throughout the summer and fall will extend the plant's productive life.
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