Image of Clinopodium vulgare
Source: Donna Bos
image of Flowering plant
Clinopodium vulgare
Wild Basil
Sarriette vulgaire

Obsolete Names

cushion calamint
dogmint
field basil
wild basil savory
Seeds available at table Shade
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Pink Bloom period: Jun - Sep
Max Height: 2.0 feet
Max Width: 1.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Full shade Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolerates dry soil condition
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
woodland garden Suitable for woodland gardens
Ecological Benefits: No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
septic tank safe This plant is septic tank safe

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Clinopodium vulgare
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Montane Cordillera

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Clinopodium vulgare

No butterfly data available for this plant.

Specialized Bees Supported by Clinopodium vulgare

No bee data available for this plant.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Lamium (Dead nettle)
  • Ajuga reptans (Bugleweed)
  • Lysimachia nummularia (Creeping Jenny)
  • Myosotis sylvatica (Forget-me-not)
  • Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox)
  • Glechoma hederacea) (Creeping Charlie)

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 0 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Can be sown in late spring in warm soil.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator: Pods are brown, seeds are dark, and crisp, and little stem connecting the pod to the main stem is brown (not green)
  • Harvesting mean: Put pods in food processor or blender and blend seeds, and strain seeds using a strainer
  • Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: Half of one, 1/32 teaspoon
  • Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • Remove non seed material
  • Harvesting video: Watch here

Toxicity Notes

Not known to be toxic to mammals if ingested.