Great as a gift 🌸
Basil
Ocimum basilicum · Lamiaceae
How it looks
Basil is an herb with small, glossy dark green oval leaves arranged in opposite pairs and a square stem. Crushing a leaf releases a strong basil, Italian-cooking aroma. Small white flowers gather spike-like at the branch tips, and the plant stands 12–31 in (30–80 cm) tall.
Basil is listed as non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA. An occasional nibble is unlikely to cause any real trouble.
Guide for parents
If leaves or stems sit at a height your cat can reach, they may get chewed or snapped. If the same spot keeps turning up damaged, that may be a route your cat takes.
If the pot can be moved, shift it off that route; if the plant is in the ground, just pick up dropped or broken pieces whenever you notice them.
Details
- Scientific name
- Ocimum basilicum
- Common name
- Basil
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Source
- ASPCA cats plant list
Related plants
Same plant family· Lamiaceae
Other safe flowers
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