How to Grow Tempo
Wikimedia Commons
Tempo
Ocimum basilicum 'Tempo'
herbTempo is a compact, bushy cultivar of sweet basil known for its vigor and disease resistance. This variety produces abundant small leaves with classic basil flavor and aroma, making it ideal for culinary use and container gardening. It's a fast-growing annual that thrives in warm conditions.
When should you plant Tempo in your zone?
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Example Tempo timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Tempo
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 Tempo
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Tempo dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-11; plant after last frost in spring
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Get my Tempo timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksSeeds sprout in 5-10 days at 70-75°F. First true leaves emerge within 2-3 weeks; seedlings are delicate with opposite oval cotyledons.
Keep soil warm and moist; provide 14-16 hours of light daily if growing indoors. Thin seedlings to proper spacing to avoid crowding.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksCompact, bushy plant develops multiple stems with increasingly larger leaves. Tempo shows vigorous, dense branching habit typical of the cultivar.
Pinch off growing tips regularly to encourage bushiness and delay flowering. Maintain consistent moisture and warmth (65-75°F). Feed with balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
Pre-flowering
1-2 weeksPlant reaches mature size with thick stems and abundant foliage. Small flower buds begin forming at branch terminals.
Continue pinching flower buds to extend the leaf harvest period. Pinching redirects energy to foliage production rather than seed development.
Flowering
2-4 weeks (can extend through season with deadheading)Small white, pink, or purple flowers arranged in spikes emerge. Leaves may become slightly smaller and less flavorful as energy goes to reproduction.
Deadhead flowers to encourage continued leaf production. If seed saving is desired, allow some flowers to fully develop. Harvest leaves before flowering for best flavor.
Seed Production & Decline
Varies; until first frost or season endFlowers develop into small seed pods. Plant growth slows and leaf quality declines; plant begins to senesce in fall or if stressed.
Allow flowers to mature if collecting seeds for next season. Otherwise, remove spent flower spikes. In cool climates, frost will end the season.
Common Pests
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Spray with strong water jet; use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs.
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Increase humidity; spray neem oil weekly. Remove heavily infested leaves. Avoid overhead watering in dry conditions.
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Use yellow sticky traps; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Remove affected leaves.
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Hand-pick in early morning. Use row covers to protect young plants. Apply neem oil if infestation is severe.
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Choose disease-resistant varieties like Tempo; ensure excellent drainage. Remove infected plants. Avoid overwatering.
Uses
Fresh cooking & pesto
CulinaryTempo basil's tender leaves are excellent for fresh applications including pesto, salads, pasta dishes, and Thai cuisine. The compact growth and abundant foliage make it highly productive for culinary use. [source]
Flavor compound production
CulinarySweet basil contains linalool and other volatile oils that provide its characteristic aroma and flavor. These compounds are also used in perfumery and aromatherapy. [source]
Traditional herbal remedy
MedicinalBasil has been used in traditional medicine for anti-inflammatory and digestive support. Fresh leaves can be brewed as tea or used as a culinary herb for wellness purposes. [source]
Container & ornamental gardening
HouseholdTempo's compact, bushy habit makes it ideal for container growing on patios, windowsills, and kitchen gardens. It's attractive enough for ornamental herb gardens while remaining highly productive. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeBasil flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Allowing some flowers to bloom supports pollinators while still maintaining leaf harvest. [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 once plant has 6-8 leaves (about 3-4 weeks after planting). Pinch off top 1-2 inches of stems regularly to encourage bushiness. Harvest in the morning after dew dries for best flavor. Remove flower buds and tips continuously to extend harvest season. Can harvest up to one-third of plant at a time without harming growth. In cool weather, harvest more conservatively.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Tempo was specifically bred for disease resistance and vigor, making it a favorite among commercial growers and home gardeners who want reliable, abundant harvests.
- 🌱 Basil's essential oils can actually repel certain pests like flies and mosquitoes, making it a useful companion plant in the garden and as a natural household insect deterrent.
- 🌱 Pinching off flower buds is a pruning technique that works because it redirects the plant's energy from reproduction (flowering/seeding) back into vegetative growth (more leaves), extending the harvest season significantly.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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