How to Grow Licorice Basil
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Licorice Basil
Ocimum basilicum var. anise
herbLicorice basil is a fragrant culinary herb with a distinctive anise or licorice flavor, making it unique among basil varieties. It features soft, tender leaves and delicate flowers, and grows as a compact annual or tender perennial. This basil variety is prized in Southeast Asian cuisine and adds unique flavor complexity to dishes.
When should you plant Licorice Basil in your zone?
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Example Licorice Basil timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Licorice Basil
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Licorice Basil
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Licorice Basil dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 10-11; grows as annual in cooler zones (5-9) when started indoors and transplanted after frost
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Get my Licorice Basil timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
7-10 daysTiny seedlings emerge with two rounded cotyledons (seed leaves), followed by the first true leaves with the characteristic basil shape.
Keep soil consistently warm and moist. Provide bright light immediately after germination to prevent leggy growth. Maintain temperature between 70-75°F.
Vegetative Growth
3-6 weeksPlant develops multiple sets of true leaves and bushy branching structure. Stems become woody at the base while upper growth remains tender.
Pinch off the top 2-3 leaf sets regularly to encourage bushiness and delay flowering. Remove any flower buds that appear. Water consistently and fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer.
Pre-flowering
2-4 weeksPlant reaches mature height (12-18 inches), leaves are full-sized, and flower buds begin to form at stem tips.
Continue pinching for continued leaf production, or allow flowering if you want seeds or ornamental flowers. Maintain regular harvesting to keep plant productive.
Flowering
3-8 weeksDelicate, small flowers appear in terminal spikes, ranging from white to pale pink or purple. Flowers are fragrant and attract pollinators.
Pinch off flowers if you want to extend leaf harvest. Allow some flowers to remain for seed production or ornamental interest. Flowers are edible and can be used in cooking.
Seed Development & Harvest
3-4 weeksFlowers fade and develop tiny brown seeds in spikes. Plant may slow leaf production as energy goes to seeds.
Allow flowers to fully mature if collecting seeds. Otherwise, continue harvesting leaves as needed. In warm climates, plant may re-grow after cutting back.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick in early morning; use row covers on young plants; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial predators like parasitic wasps.
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Spray with strong water stream to dislodge; use yellow sticky traps; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; increase air circulation.
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Mist foliage regularly to increase humidity; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; remove heavily infested leaves; introduce predatory mites.
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap; apply neem oil; plant near garlic or chives as deterrent; encourage ladybugs.
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and
Remove debris and mulch that provide hiding spots; use copper tape around containers; handpick at night; set beer traps; apply diatomaceous earth.
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Ensure excellent drainage; avoid overhead watering; remove and destroy infected plants; sterilize tools; choose resistant varieties; rotate crops.
Uses
Southeast Asian Cuisine & Beverages
CulinaryLicorice basil is essential in Thai and Vietnamese cooking, used fresh in curries, stir-fries, spring rolls, and seafood dishes. The leaves can also be steeped for herbal tea with a soothing anise flavor. [source]
Desserts & Flavor Enhancement
CulinaryAdd fresh or dried leaves to ice cream, cocktails, desserts, and baked goods for a subtle licorice note. The unique flavor profile complements chocolate and citrus. [source]
Digestive & Anti-inflammatory Support
MedicinalTraditional herbal medicine uses licorice basil to support digestion, reduce bloating, and calm inflammation. The anise compounds may have mild carminative properties. [source]
Fresh Aroma & Air Freshening
HouseholdFresh sprigs add a pleasant anise aroma to kitchens and dining spaces. Dried leaves can be used in potpourri or herb sachets. [source]
Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeThe delicate flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to the garden, supporting local ecosystems. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting leaves once plant has 6-8 true leaves. Pinch off the top 2-3 leaf sets regularly to encourage bushiness. Harvest in the morning after dew dries for best flavor. Remove flowers as they appear if you want to extend leaf production. Licorice basil is tender and best used fresh, though it can be dried or frozen.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Licorice basil's distinctive anise flavor comes from anethole, the same compound that gives licorice candy and fennel their characteristic taste—creating an unexpected flavor bridge across different plants.
- 🌱 In Southeast Asian cuisine, licorice basil (also called Thai licorice basil or anise basil) is sometimes called 'holy basil's aromatic cousin,' though it's distinct from Thai holy basil and has a gentler flavor profile.
- 🌱 Unlike sweet basil, licorice basil flowers are ornamental and edible, making it an attractive dual-purpose herb for both culinary and decorative garden borders.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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