HeirloomContainer OK

Chocolate Basil

Helianthus annuus

Flowers measure 4-6" across and are a rich brown on the tops of the petals and a lovely, striped yellow on the undersides. Great in bouquets and garden borders. Stem length is 10-24". Bears pollen; good for bee forage.

Harvest

65-75d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-10 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Chocolate Basil in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 herb →

Zone Map

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Chocolate Basil · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-15 inches

SoilRich, well-drained soil with organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

WaterModerate — regular watering

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorSweet basil with distinct chocolate, cinnamon, and warm spice notes

ColorDark green leaves with purple undersides and dark purple-bronze stems

Size4-6"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 4	March – April	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	—	June – October
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	—	June – November
Zone 7	February – March	April – June	—	June – November
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	—	May – December
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	—	April – December
Zone 10	January – January	February – April	—	April – December

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Seeds are ovoid and somewhat flattened

Color: Black, Brown/Copper. Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible

Harvest time: Fall

Bloom time: Fall, Summer

Edibility: Seeds are used for cooking oil, livestock feed, and as a snack food or garnish. Petals are edible and young flower buds can be steamed like artichokes.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh chocolate basil leaves maintain peak flavor when stored with stems in water at room temperature, covered with a plastic bag, lasting 5-7 days. For refrigerated storage, wrap gently in slightly damp paper towels inside a plastic bag for up to one week, though cold temperatures may diminish the delicate chocolate notes.

For long-term preservation, freezing in olive oil maintains the best flavor profile – puree clean leaves with oil and freeze in ice cube trays. The chocolate and spice compounds preserve exceptionally well this way. Alternatively, dry leaves at low temperature (95-105°F) in a dehydrator or hang bundles in a dark, well-ventilated area. Properly dried chocolate basil retains its unique flavor for 6-12 months when stored in airtight containers. Avoid traditional herb drying methods that use high heat, as they'll destroy the volatile oils that create this variety's signature chocolate essence.

History & Origin

Origin: Western United States

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Poor Soil
+Attracts: Butterflies, Pollinators, Songbirds, Specialized Bees
+Edible: Seeds are used for cooking oil, livestock feed, and as a snack food or garnish. Petals are edible and young flower buds can be steamed like artichokes.
+Fast-growing
+Low maintenance

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Tomatoes

Basil repels tomato hornworms and aphids, may enhance tomato flavor

Peppers

Basil deters aphids, spider mites, and thrips that commonly attack peppers

Oregano

Both herbs have similar growing requirements and repel similar pests

Lettuce

Basil provides light shade for lettuce and repels aphids and slugs

Marigolds

Both repel nematodes and aphids, creating a strong pest deterrent combination

Parsley

Compatible growth habits and both attract beneficial insects like hoverflies

Carrots

Basil helps repel carrot flies while carrots don't compete for nutrients

Asparagus

Basil repels asparagus beetles and both have non-competing root systems

Keep Apart

Sage

Both compete for similar nutrients and sage may inhibit basil's growth

Rue

Allelopathic plant that inhibits growth of basil and most herbs

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants including basil through allelopathy

Nutrition Facts

Calories

23kcal(1%)

Protein

3.15g(6%)

Fiber

1.6g(6%)

Carbs

2.65g(1%)

Fat

0.64g(1%)

Vitamin C

18mg(20%)

Vitamin A

264mcg(29%)

Vitamin K

415mcg(346%)

Iron

3.17mg(18%)

Calcium

177mg(14%)

Potassium

295mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #172232)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to common basil diseases

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, Japanese beetles

Diseases

Fusarium wilt, downy mildew, bacterial leaf spot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does chocolate basil take to grow from seed?▼

Chocolate basil takes 65-75 days from seed to first harvest, with germination occurring in 5-10 days under optimal conditions. You can begin harvesting leaves when plants reach 6-8 inches tall, typically 8-10 weeks after sowing. Starting seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost gives you the earliest possible harvest.

What does chocolate basil actually taste like?▼

Chocolate basil combines classic sweet basil flavor with distinct chocolate, cinnamon, and warm spice undertones. The chocolate notes are subtle but unmistakable, creating a complex flavor that works in both desserts and savory dishes. The taste intensifies when leaves are crushed or heated, making it excellent for infusions and cooked applications.

Can you grow chocolate basil in containers?▼

Yes, chocolate basil grows excellently in containers. Use pots at least 8-10 inches deep with drainage holes, filled with well-draining potting mix. Container growing actually offers advantages like better soil control and easier protection from temperature fluctuations. Water more frequently than garden plants but ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.

Is chocolate basil good for beginners?▼

Chocolate basil is considered easy to grow and suitable for beginners, with good disease resistance and straightforward care requirements. However, it does require consistent watering and warm conditions. New gardeners should start with transplants rather than seeds for better success rates, and focus on regular harvesting to prevent flowering.

When should I plant chocolate basil in my garden?▼

Plant chocolate basil after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperature consistently reaches 60°F. In most regions, this means late spring to early summer. For zones 7-9, plant in late April to May. Colder zones should wait until late May or June. Starting seeds indoors 6-8 weeks earlier extends your growing season.

Chocolate basil vs sweet basil - what's the difference?▼

The main difference is flavor complexity – chocolate basil adds distinct chocolate and spice notes to the standard sweet basil taste. Visually, chocolate basil has purple-bronze stems and purple leaf undersides, while sweet basil is entirely green. Chocolate basil also has slightly better heat tolerance and stronger essential oil content than most sweet basil varieties.