There are some perennial basils that do live a long time, and these could be over-wintered indoors under lights or in a sunroom, and are even used for herbal bonsai.

Mine lived until the frost got it. I have another this year, but a cat/squirrel/other broke off a strategic branch, so it doesn't look much like a bonsai. I'll try for a picture - I was going to take a picture that shows the progress of that fused ficus we're talking about at houseplants.

Al

I've tried. Mostly lemon and genovese basil. Some made it into late December. But they all died.

This year I have let one plant go fully to seed to see what happens. The result (besides a happy, seedy plant) is a forest of little baby basils. These guys are ridiculously easy to start from seed. Save seeds.

If you have grow lights, you might start some in November. Then start more in Feb/Mar and see where it takes you.

Al, thanks.

DM, that's what I thought...I would like to have some to use thru winter months.

Rina

I just pruned this a few days ago - much fuller prior to that. I'll try to remember to take another shot before it freezes.

Al

another look. There was a low branch on the right growing horizontally that got broke off. ;-(

You can, it just doesn't make much sense to. It pretty much requires supplemental lighting. Too easy to start from seed. Especially with the big leaf basils, the flavor will never again match that of the young plant.

I overwinter holy basil often, and many Indian households do so as well. It's never all that happy indoors, but it does survive. A lot of them end up looking bonsai-esque.

The other two I've successfully overwintered are spicy globe basil and boxwood basil, under grow lights. Both were apparently bred to maintain flavor even after flowering. Neither were super happy about it, even under grow lights... I suspect humidity was the issue. I ate from them during the winter and then tossed them in the spring.

I'm in Houston, TX though :D

Al

Thank you for posting these. Looks like also small-leaved one.

Greentiger

Thank you for the tips. I never grew the holly basil. And the boxwood basil sounds interesting.

Rina