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!


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My African blue basil arrive in great condition. It has a wonderful spicy sweet aroma. Can't wait to try it in some Tomato Basil soup!
Fall Essentials
Sow Exotic has everything your garden needs to thrive, from planting to harvest, with professional garden tools to organic fertilizers and soil amendments.