African Blue Basil (Ocimum Kilimandscharicum × Basilicum 'Dark Opal')
African Blue Basil is a gorgeous perennial culinary and medicinal herb native to Africa and South Asia. It has a beautiful shrubby growing habit reaching up to an impressive 6 ft tall!
We love growing rare African Blue Basil for its delightful fragrance and because it is so attractive to pollinators. Focus your eyes on the deep purple variegated shrub for only a moment and you will think it is moving! It's totally a buzz with bees and pollinators! African Blue Basil is related to the common basil but this variety grows as a shrub rather than a leafy herb.
African Blue Basil is an amazing addition to any herb garden and makes a fantastic companion plant in your food forest and best of all, it is one of the few types of basil that grows as a perennial.
Our African Blue Basil plants are grown from cuttings and are capable of blooming and being harvested within one growing season.
Plant Type:
Annual Herb in zone 5-10,
Perennial herb in 10b+
Harvest Season:
Spring-Fall
Mature Size:
Up to 2 ft. tall
Soil & Moisture:
Moist, well-draining soil
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Self-Fertile:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Fast
Zone Hardiness:
Outdoors 5+ with frost protection; Patio/Greenhouse 4+
Propagation:
Our African Blue Basil is grown by cuttings, capable of production within growing season.
See More:
Check out all of our Basil Varieties!
