By Luke Sumpter Reviewed by: Silvia Maroto


It turns out that the humble basil plant can help to deter some key cannabis pests from settling into your garden. Plus, this culinary herb might even help to boost the resin production of weed flowers. Find out why you need to recruit this pest-thwarting companion plant this growing season.

What Is Basil?

From cheesy pizzas and pasta sauces to salads and soups, basil leaves add sweet and mildly spicy notes to a long list of dishes. But basil serves as much more than just a great green garnish. This annual herb has a long and impressive history of use, works as an effective companion plant in the garden, and exhibits holistic potential that researchers are only just tapping into.

Basil, known by the botanical Latin binomial Ocimum basilicum, belongs to the Lamiaceae family along with its relatives mint, catnip, lavender, and thyme. There are many types of basil available. Although they all technically belong to the same species, different cultivars offer a diversity of appearances and flavours. These include:

  • Anise basil
  • Dark opal basil
  • Purple basil
  • Thai basil
  • Cinnamon basil

Humans have a long history with basil. Although native to Central Africa and Southeast Asia, where it grows as a perennial/biennial plant, it now grows in gardens and windowsills[5] all over the world. The ancient Greeks and Romans used the herb during religious ceremonies, and Europeans employed the plant for its purported therapeutic properties during the Middle Ages.

Growing basil

Does Basil Have Terpenes?

Yes. Most plants produce a suite of terpene molecules[6] that display various physiological functions. Classified as secondary metabolites, these molecules don’t contribute to development and reproduction, but they do help to keep plants alive and well. Some of the chief roles of these volatile hydrocarbons include:

• Communication: This might sound weird, but plants communicate![7] Unlike us, they don’t arrange a time to meet up for a natter in the local coffee shop. Instead, they use terpenes as chemical signals, sending them out into the environment to alert other plants.

• Attraction: Bright colours aren’t the only thing about plants that attract beneficial insects. Basil uses its pungent terpenes[9] to draw in a range of beneficial critters, including pollinators.

• Stress tolerance: Terpenes also help to reduce the impact of environmental stress in basil plants. They ramp up the production of these molecules during periods of drought and intense heat.

• Defence: Terpenes also help to deter pest[8] insects by inhibiting their ability to feed and reproduce.

Interestingly, basil produces a range of terpenes[10] that are also found within the cannabis plant, including:

  • Eucalyptol
  • Linalool
  • Limonene
  • Caryophyllene

What Are the Benefits of Basil in Your Cannabis Garden?

Once you have several basil plants established in your cannabis garden, you’ll reap a whole host of benefits. Check out the biggest bonuses of basil below.

Aphid Pest Control

Are you looking for plants that repel aphids? Well, you just found one! These pests are notorious among cannabis growers. Despite their short life cycle, their ability to rapidly reproduce means that they can overrun entire plants in a brief window of time. They might seem small and harmless, but these pests use their sharp mouthparts to penetrate plant tissue and suck out the sap within. Not only does this deplete plants of resources, but it also predisposes them to fungal infections.

Basil can help to keep these six-legged rascals away from your cannabis plants[11] through different means. First, their powerful terpenes help to attract predatory insects, such as ladybugs, that hunt and chow down on aphids.

Second, the pungency of the terpenes themselves also drives some kinds of aphids away. Remember that plants use these compounds as a form of chemical defence. As one of the most aromatic plants in any garden, basil churns out plenty of insect-repelling terpenes. Overall, basil makes a stellar companion plant for cannabis.

Works Well With Hydroponics

Do you prefer growing hydroponically instead of getting your hands dirty in the soil? Well, basil performs great in this setting, too. Basil makes a great companion plant[12] for hydroponic cannabis for the following reasons:

• Pest control: As you read above, basil will help to keep pests away from the other plants within your hydroponic system, whether you're growing indoors within a grow tent or out in the garden.

• It’ll slot right in: If you’re using growing trays that hold multiple net cups, you can simply slot basil plants in between your weed plants, without worrying about spacing and overcrowding.

• Big yields: Basil grows bigger and faster in hydroponic systems. As well as keeping your cannabis plants safe by deterring aphids, you’ll end up with plenty of fresh leaves ready to top pizzas and spice up pasta sauces.

• Space-efficient: Basil grows bigger in a hydro setup, but it won’t grow to the unmanageable size of certain other companion plants. If your specimens start to get a bit too tall, just top them like you would your weed plants.

Possible Cannabis Resin Increase

Some cannabis growers claim that basil improves the resin production of their weed flowers. We get it, this sounds like some top-tier bro science. However, early research shows that these anecdotes have some degree of scientific grounding.

You see, several studies have demonstrated that plants grown in close proximity are able to modulate each other’s phytochemical profiles and growth. The term “induced systemic resistance” describes how plants can alter the chemical production of their neighbours using chemicals of their own.

For example, a study[1] published in the American Journal of Plant Sciences found that basil companion planting managed to change the levels of secondary metabolites and free amino acids in tomato plants. Terpenes also autumn into the category of secondary metabolites, and they make up a large portion of the resin found on cannabis flowers. Therefore, it makes sense that basil could boost the resin production of nearby weed flowers. However, more studies are required to clarify this.

Cooking and Well-Being

By choosing basil as a companion plant, you’ll have a consistent supply of leaves to use throughout the growing season. Each time you harvest, you’ll have plenty of plant material to add to the following recipes:

  • Tomato and basil soup
  • Pesto
  • Risotto
  • Garlic and basil ciabatta
  • Basil bean mash
  • Salad
  • Spaghetti

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On top of these culinary delights, lots of people also use basil as a health food. Ongoing studies are testing basil constituents for their medicinal potential[13]. Some research efforts are assessing the following effects:

• Anti-inflammatory: Researchers from Brazil looked to determine the anti-inflammatory[2] potential of basil extracts when applied to human leukocytes.

• Heart health: A study[3] published in the Journal of Food Science assessed the effects of inhaled low-dose basil essential oil on cardiovascular health markers in rats.

• Brain function: Studies[4] suggest that basil might help to boost memory retention and retrieval thanks to the antioxidant action of its flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids.

How to Grow Basil in Your Garden

You can start off basil seeds indoors during February, and raise them under grow lights or on a windowsill that receives a good amount of sun. Scatter some seeds onto a seedling soil mix and cover them with a thin layer of vermiculite.

As a heat-loving crop, you shouldn’t transplant basil out into the garden until the risk of frost has passed. Select a sunny spot with well-draining soil and space plants 8–10cm apart.

Basil plants appreciate moisture, so make sure to water them deeply around once per week (more often during heatwaves) to stop their roots from drying out. Unlike other leafy plants, basil doesn't need much in the way of nutrients. They respond well to a light seaweed solution or worm-casting tea applied once per month.

To keep your plants productive throughout the growing season, top them while they’re young. Continually harvest leaves to encourage your plants to form bushy structures.

What Else Is a Good Companion Plant for Basil?

Nature loves diversity, so don’t limit your companion planting efforts to basil. Growing numerous plants in close proximity will create a polyculture that enhances the soil health and biodiversity in your garden. Overall, polycultures of companion plants help to:

  • Increase yields
  • Protect against pests and diseases
  • Create a habitat for beneficial microbes
  • Foster a healthy soil food web
  • Shade the soil
pllyculture phone

You have a whole host of species to choose from when looking to create a polyculture in your cannabis garden. Some of the best options include:

Can You Accidentally Breed Basil With Cannabis?

No. You don’t have to worry about ending up with some weird basil/cannabis hybrid when you grow these plants together. Cannabis and basil and two completely different species, and are therefore unable to fertilise each other. Basil plants aren’t a threat to your prized sinsemilla!

Why Basil Is a Good Companion Plant for Cannabis

Basil serves as a key plant ally in any cannabis garden. This culinary powerhouse helps to repel aphids and attract beneficial insects into the growing space. Some very early research also suggests that chemicals found in basil might encourage other plants in close proximity to boost terpene production, which could translate into more resinous weed flowers! Of course, having a bunch of basil in the garden will also supply you with tasty leaves all season long.

External Resources:
  1. SCIRP Open Access https://www.scirp.org
  2. SciELO - Brasil - Evaluation of basil extract (Ocimum basilicum L.) on oxidative, anti-genotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects in human leukocytes cell cultures exposed to challenging agents Evaluation of basil extract (Ocimum basilicum L.) on oxidative, anti-genotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects in human leukocytes cell cultures exposed to challenging agents https://www.scielo.br
  3. Inhalation of low-dose basil (Ocimum basilicum) essential oil improved cardiovascular health https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
  4. The effects of green Ocimum basilicum hydroalcoholic extract on retention and retrieval of memory in mice - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/11/14/1896
  6. https://academic.oup.com/plphys/article/136/3/3724/6112502
  7. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/tpj.15453
  8. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/11/5710
  9. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/8581/
  10. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0166526X20300374
  11. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/13/6/552
  12. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01140671.2016.1259642
  13. https://doi.org/10.1080/10942912.2020.1828456
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: