Basil. (Ocimum basilicum.) And a very healthy one!

It looks much too fuzzy to be basil. And basil is NOT perennial in zone 6b. It looks more to me like oregano, Origanum vulgare, but something to put size in scale would also be helpful.

gg48...good point about not being a perennial. But at my place, basil self-seeds every year and returns in spring with a vengeance. Don't know if that's possible in zone 6b?

Looks nothing like the oregano I grow (I know there are many forms.) My oregano is a rampant grower in my vege beds, almost up there with mint!

I agree it looks pretty trim and confined for oregano :-) But perhaps that's just because it's a new planting? I also tossed around the idea of marjoram but honestly, I have trouble keeping any of the Origanums (except for the ornamentals) separate

I have never had basil reseed for me. But then I try never to let it flower.

Does it smell like licorice ? If so, maybe a basil.

A smell test (by someone familiar with kitchen herbs) would be easy and definitive. Wonder if anyone's working on an e-aroma app? Could waft out of the computer's speakers? 🤔

Looks like oregano or marjoram to me

Looks like an Oreganum to me too.

Thank you all. I am still not sure what it is. here is more pictures with ruler and closer shots.

I agree it is Oreganum - Oregano.

Soon it will bloom so you will see yourself.

Almost forgot this post. Here are pictures when it flowering. Taken back on July 23rd

these two pictures were taken on Aug 10th. Is it Oregano? Leaf does not smell like my dried oregano leaves bought from grocery store though :)

It is Oregano.

Yep. Still Oregano.

Well, I'm beat. My oregano, which I've been growing for nearly 20 years (actually, it grows itself, and I just have to remove about 90% of it from my vege beds every year, grows like mint) has just poked up its head in our spring, and has white flowers. I know there are many varieties and from memory this was given to me as "Greek oregano."

Are we only allowed 3 pics per post?

Oregano can be very variable since it self sows with abandon. I’ve got various shapes, sizes and colours none of which I planted. It’s also a native species here so there maybe some wild genes creeping in.

The original certainly looks like a small leaved basil - fino verde?

Shaxhome - my oregano looks like yours.

The OP has only shown us one plant, in various stages. They state it’s perennial in z6. Hence it definitely isn’t any kind of basil. The flowers back that up if any more proof were needed. Oreganums vary considerably in leaf shape and size, flower and leaf colour and height. Some even have puckered leaves.

It looks like an oregano that I am growing which is a spicy oregano...

In addition to being tender and hairless basil has a different overall foliage structure.

I had no idea there were so many.

http://www.theplantlist.org/browse/A/Lamiaceae/Origanum/