Plant guide
Basil
Ocimum basilicum
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is non-toxic to cats. This assessment covers the plant, not essential oils, supplements, pesto or other prepared foods.
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Eating plant material can still upset your cat’s stomach.
What this guide covers: Ocimum basilicum only. Other species called basil, concentrated extracts and prepared foods are outside this guide.
Photo:
Photo details
NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — Ocimum basilicum (image 7076)
By Forest and Kim Starr
License: CC BY 2.0
Original downloaded image retained without botanical edits. Display resizing only.
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Photo:
Photo details
NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — Ocimum basilicum (image 7076)
By Forest and Kim Starr
License: CC BY 2.0
Original downloaded image retained without botanical edits. Display resizing only.
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Non-toxic does not mean edible. Chewing plants can still upset your cat’s stomach.
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Look for Ocimum basilicum and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Ocimum basilicum
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
Find the right spot
How to grow this plant
Ocimum basilicum only. Other species called basil, concentrated extracts and prepared foods are outside this guide.
- Light
- Sunny position
Choose a sunny growing position.
- Watering
- Keep evenly moist
Keep soil moist while allowing surplus water to drain.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
Plant outdoors after the last frost. No numeric indoor growing range is proposed.
- Potting
- Use moist, well-drained soil in a bed or container.
- Through the year
- Pinch long shoots and flower buds to encourage branching.
Growing-guide sources
- Ocimum basilicum - Plant Toolbox ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-15
Species care entry; descriptive growing advice, not numeric indoor temperature evidence.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-15. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.