What Is Marseille Basil? Introduction to the French Sweet Basil Variety and How to Grow It
Basil of any variety is a favorite herb among gardeners and chefs. One of the most important reasons we love this herb is its delicious aroma. The French variety Marseille is one of the most fragrant of them all. So if you love the taste of basil, you can gather a little Marseille basil information and grow it.
What is Marseille basil?Marseille is just one of the basil varieties and, as the name suggests, it comes from France. It is sometimes called the “king of fragrance” because it is best known for its intense aroma. It smells sweet with a slight hint of licorice, like other types of basil, but the aroma is more potent.
Marseille basil is known for its small, compact size. It grows dense leaves but reaches only about 10 inches (25 cm) in height and about 8 inches (20 cm) in width. The plant branches neatly, needs no pruning or shaping, and fills space nicely.
As a culinary herb, Marseille basil can be used like any other variety. It pairs well with tomatoes, pasta, mild cheeses and vegetables. You can eat it fresh in salads, in baked dishes, or dry the leaves for storage and use. The flavor is sweeter than other varieties, but it is still an acceptable variety for any recipe that calls for basil. In France, Marseille basil is traditionally used in pistou, a sauce similar to pesto.
Growing Marseille basil.When it comes to container-grown basil, Marseille is an obvious choice. The plant grows compactly and densely. Even with a small plant in an indoor or outdoor container, you can get an abundance of full-size leaves. Because of its compact nature and dense growth, it is also a good plant for edging and borders in the garden. Of course, it is also great in the garden or in a container, simply adding a delicious aroma to any space.
No matter where you grow it, Marseille basil care is very simple. You can start the seeds indoors and they should germinate in five to ten days. Once they have two sets of true leaves, they should be ready to transplant into a bed or container.
Make sure they get plenty of direct sunlight and warmth. If in a container, make sure it drains, and of course, an outdoor bed should also drain well. Water the plants regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Basil performs best in fertile soil, so add compost or fertilizer if needed.
Marseille basil will grow densely without much attention, but to encourage its shape and prevent flowering, pinch off the small growing tips.
