Clinopodium vulgare L.
American wild basil
Wild basil is a native British perennial of the mint family, softly hairy throughout and aromatic when handled, though it is not the culinary basil of the kitchen. It produces upright, square stems set with oval, slightly toothed leaves, and bears its pinkish-purple flowers in crowded, well-spaced whorls up the stem from midsummer into early autumn.
About
Wild basil is a native British perennial of the mint family, softly hairy throughout and aromatic when handled, though it is not the culinary basil of the kitchen. It produces upright, square stems set with oval, slightly toothed leaves, and bears its pinkish-purple flowers in crowded, well-spaced whorls up the stem from midsummer into early autumn.
It favours warm, dry and sunny situations, growing on scrub edges, banks, hedgerows and rough grassy places, usually over chalky or lime-rich soils. Though its distribution across Britain is patchy, it is widespread and not considered threatened. The flowers draw bees and butterflies, so wild basil earns a place in meadow and pollinator seed mixes for calcareous or free-draining ground, as well as in sunny borders where its modest, long-lasting colour suits a naturalistic planting.
Also known as
Cushion Calamint · Dogmint · Wild Basil · field basil · wild basil savory
Synonyms
Acinos vulgaris · Calamintha clinopodium · Calamintha vulgaris · Clinopodium clinopodium · Clinopodium vulgare glabratum · Faucibarba clinopodium · Melissa clinopodium · Melissa vulgaris
In our seed mixes
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.