Herb Spotlight: Piccolino Basil
Common name: Piccolino Basil
Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum ‘Piccolino’
Family: Lamiaceae
Compact, tidy, and packed with classic basil flavor, Piccolino Basil is a miniature variety that’s perfect for small spaces and container gardening. Its naturally rounded shape and tiny aromatic leaves make it both ornamental and incredibly useful in the kitchen.
Why Grow Piccolino Basil?
1. Perfect for Containers
Piccolino’s compact growth habit makes it ideal for patios, balconies, windowsills, and mixed planters.
2. Classic Basil Flavor in a Tiny Package
Despite its small leaves, Piccolino delivers the sweet, rich basil flavor you love for pasta, pizza, salads, and pesto.
3. Beautiful Ornamental Shape
This variety naturally forms a dense, globe-shaped mound that looks polished and decorative all season long.
4. Easy to Harvest
The small leaves are tender and ready to use right off the plant with minimal chopping.
Growing & Care
Light
• Prefers full sun (6–8 hours daily)
• Best flavor develops in bright, warm conditions
Water
• Keep soil consistently moist but well-drained
• Avoid letting plants completely dry out
Soil
• Rich, fertile, well-draining soil
• Benefits from occasional feeding during the growing season
Growth Habit
• Compact, mounded annual herb
• Typically grows 10–16 inches tall and wide
• Naturally tidy with minimal pruning needed
Climate & Zones
• Grown as an annual in most USDA Zones
• Loves warm weather and summer heat
• Sensitive to frost
Growing in Zone 5
Zone 5 gardeners should plant Piccolino Basil after all danger of frost has passed.
• Thrives in containers, raised beds, and herb gardens
• Excellent for sunny patios and small-space gardening
• Can be grown indoors in bright light
Tip: Pinch flower buds early to encourage continued leaf production throughout summer.
Harvesting Piccolino Basil
What to Harvest
• Small, tender leaves and stem tips
• Harvest regularly to encourage fresh growth
When to Harvest
• Begin harvesting once plants are full and established
• Best harvested in the morning for strongest flavor
How to Use Piccolino Basil
• Toss fresh leaves onto pizza and pasta
• Add to salads, sandwiches, and caprese dishes
• Blend into pesto or herb butter
• Garnish soups and summer appetizers
• Use whole leaves for effortless cooking and presentation
Preserving Basil
Freezing
• Blend leaves with olive oil and freeze in cubes
• Helps preserve fresh basil flavor for winter cooking
Drying
• Can be dried, though basil is best enjoyed fresh or frozen for maximum flavor
Final Thoughts
Growing Piccolino Basil brings classic basil flavor to even the smallest garden spaces. Its compact shape, fragrant foliage, and kitchen versatility make it a favorite for container gardeners and basil lovers alike.
Come visit The Flower Bin to pick up Piccolino Basil and add fresh flavor to your patio, kitchen, or garden!
