Also known as Wild Basil · 20 gardener saves
Clinopodium: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Clinopodium, the genus most gardeners know as wild basil. We track 3 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 3 most-saved Clinopodium varieties
Of 3 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedGeorgia Savory 'Cleburne'
Clinopodium georgianum 'Cleburne'
#2 most savedGeorgia Wild Basil
Clinopodium georgianum 'Barbour Belle'
#3 most savedGeorgia Calamint
Clinopodium georgianum
How to grow Clinopodium
What the Clinopodium varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Clinopodium year
- HarvestMay–August100% of varieties
Harvest leaves and stems before flowering for strongest aroma
- DivideMarch67% of varieties
Divide clumps every 3-5 years if center vigor declines
Do
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Prune back after flowering to encourage bushiness
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring
- Water deeply during dry periods 🌱
- Prune after flowering to encourage bushiness
Avoid
- Overwater to avoid root rot ❌
- Allow soil to become waterlogged ❌
- Neglect pruning after flowering ❌
- Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
What goes wrong with Clinopodium
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Webbing on foliage | Use neem oil spray |
| Root rot | Wilting and browning of leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Clinopodium
Cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil
- Maintain humidity for 6 weeks
Seed sowing
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring
- Keep soil consistently moist for 2 weeks
Clinopodium questions
How many types of Clinopodium are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Clinopodium varieties. The most popular — ranked by 20 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Clinopodium grow in?
Across its varieties, Clinopodium covers USDA Zones 6–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Clinopodium bloom?
Most Clinopodium varieties bloom in late summer to fall, mid-summer, late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Clinopodium should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Clinopodium shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Clinopodium in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
