Clinopodium vulgare aka Wild Basil

Clinopodium vulgare is a herbaceous perennial in the mint family, Lamiaceae. Its common names include wild basil and cushion calamint. It comes from Macaronesia, the Mediterranean, and Europe east to Siberia and the western Himalaya. It is native to Britain and Ireland. This plant grows in temperate regions. In the wild, it lives on heaths and dry grassland. These sites often have lime-rich soil.

In gardens, plants reach 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre] tall. Their spread ranges from 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres]. They form mats and take two to five years to mature. The stems have soft hairs and tend not to branch. The leaves have a mild scent. Each oval leaf has small teeth and a short stalk. The plant sheds its leaves for winter. Pink-purple flowers grow in whorls during late summer. Each bloom measures about 0.04–0.07 feet [0.012–0.022 metres] long.

Give wild basil full sun and soil that drains well. Chalk, loam, and sand suit it. Neutral to alkaline soil meets its needs, with lime-rich ground preferred. It can grow in dry to moist soil. Both open and sheltered sites suit it. The RHS rates its hardiness as H6. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 6–9. Its mat-forming habit suits beds, wildlife gardens, and wildflower meadows. The RHS reports few problems with pests or disease.

Sow seed in autumn to raise new plants. You can also divide plants from their runners. Trim stems once they have finished flowering. To allow self-seeding, wait until the seeds have fallen before cutting back. Plants For A Future does not flag this species as weedy. Its runners and ability to self-seed still matter when planning its place in a bed.

The leaves have food uses, both fresh and dried. Add them to cooked dishes for flavour, or use fresh leaves in salads. Fresh leaves also make a sweet, scented tea. Plants For A Future reports no known hazards. That statement does not establish safety for every person or pet. The same source records traditional medicinal uses, including an infusion for poor digestion. These records do not prove that such treatments work. Beyond food and traditional medicine, the leaves yield yellow and brown dyes.