Cyprus gardener grows a towering ‘king’ of plants

A lifelong dedication to all things green has paid off with a healthy basil plant over 2.5 metres tall

Yiannakis Ioannou, a seasoned gardener with a lifelong passion for nurturing nature’s gifts, has achieved a truly remarkable feat – an awe-inspiring basil plant at a whopping 2.54 metres in the tranquil village of Erimi.

His journey from tending gardens in Ayios Therapon, Limassol, where he grew up, to his tenure at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington DC, before returning to Cyprus, echoes a lifelong dedication to both nature and environmental care.

“Growing up, I always tended to basil [which comes from the Greek for king] plants in my garden,” reminisced Ioannou, whose green thumb prowess emerged from a young age.

“When I moved to Cyprus, I immediately starting planting basil. However, this one is by far the biggest I have ever grown.”

Ioannou’s success in nurturing the towering basil wonder didn’t come without effort.

“You need the proper soil, mixing topsoil with regular soil,” he advised. “Daily care involves adding a little more soil and watering initially every day until you see growth. In Cyprus’ heat, daily watering becomes essential. That’s all the plants need, no fertiliser, nothing else but water.”

His remarkable achievement stands as a testament to patience, care and an unwavering love of gardening.

“I’m very proud of it. Every time I look at it, I am amazed,” Ioannou said, reflecting on the monumental plant. Overcoming challenges in supporting its growth, Ioannou utilised twine and poles in order to maintain its upward ascent.

“I had to keep it straight because it did grow not only in height but also in width. At some point its diameter was around six feet and a few branches started almost touching the ground.”

Beyond its height, this basil plant surprised Ioannou by eschewing the typical flowering process.

“Plants that grow so much usually tend to produce flowers, but this one did not,” he observed.

“This plant is a Cyprus evergreen basil,” Ioannou, who will turn 80 in December, continued. “They supposedly grow regardless of the season, but the truth is that they don’t always do that. This one seems to withstand the rain and the cold. And I still have other big basil plants that I will tend to and try to make them grow like this.”

The basil wonder has seamlessly integrated into Ioannou’s daily routine, filling it with satisfaction and practical benefits.

“It’s pleasing to smell the basil fragrance every day,” he said. “Moreover, basil plants tend to keep mosquitoes away. We haven’t seen any all summer, which has been great!”

Beyond his green thumb accomplishments, Ioannou cherishes a loving family life, celebrating 51 and a half years of marriage to Patty, with whom he shares two children, Athena and Nick.

His journey, from nurturing greens at a young age, going through his job at the EPA, to fostering botanical marvels in Cyprus, showcases a lifelong commitment to both family and nature.