About African Blue

Showy purple flowers on vigorous, bushy plants with purple-tinged leaves.

From Charissa, a Minnesota gardener: It's my favorite plant, LOVES the weather here, grows like crazy to the point they are more like shrubs. And the bees race me for flowers, if I don't dead head them quickly. It's so beautiful, loves hot summers/sun; fairs much better than other basil when not watered; grows like crazy; and works just like any other basil in pesto.

About Basil, Other

Basils from a range of cultures, plus varied flavors. Remove flowers for best-tasting leaves, or keep them to feed the bees and butterflies. These non-hardy perennials are native to sunny, warm climates and will not withstand frost. Water regularly and provide good drainage. Don’t plant outdoors until late May. It is a good idea to vary where you plant your basil each year. Basil is suscep­tible to fungal ­diseases that ­accumulate in soil over time. Rotate your crops!

Pot Size & Price
3.5-in. pot
$4.00
Height
36"
Sunlight Exposure
Full Sun Partial Sun
Plant Traits
Bees
Butterflies
Cold Sensitive
Culinary
Edible Flowers
Attractive Foliage
Medicinal
Stock Notes
Restocks On Saturday

Other varieties of Basil, Other

Basil 'Cardinal', green leaves and red bracts like dark red flower clusters
Photo from Park Seed

Cardinal

Basil 'Cinnamon', dark purple flowers, green leaves
Photo from Glacial Ridge Growers

Cinnamon

Holy Basil, green leaves
Photo by Forest & Kim Starr from the Wikimedia Commons

Holy

Lemon Basil
Photo from Green Earth Growers

Lemon

Basil 'Mammoth', large wrinkled green leaves
Photo from WikiGardener

Mammoth

Basil 'Minette', compact green mound of basil leaves
Photo from Park Seed

Minette

Basil mixed four packs
Friends School Plant Sale photo by Jenn M.

Mixed four-pack

Mrihani basil, green leaves
Photo from Strictly Medicinal Seeds

Mrihani

Basil 'Napoletano', corrugated green leaves
Photo from Johnny's Seeds

Napoletano

Spicy Globe Basil, circular mound of small green leaves
Photo from Glacial Ridge Growers

Spicy Globe