African Blue Basil

In the beginning of the summer, I purchased two African blue basil plants. Unlike the sweet Genovese basil, these are grown for their flowers and pollinating power. They grow quickly in the summer, becoming large bushes, 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. Although the leaves are edible, they have a strong camphor taste so usually they are not used for cooking.

African blue basil is a cross between a camphor basil native to East Africa (Ocimum kilimandscharicum) and a cultivar called Dark Opal, (Ocimum basilicum) native to Africa and Southern Asia. Its botanical name is Ocimum kilimandscharicum x basilicum ‘Dark Opal’.  The foliage is dark green with purple veins. New leaves look almost purple. The flowers are 6-inch spires of dark pink florets set against dark purple calyxes.

Because of this cross, African blue basil is sterile; it does not produce seeds. Therefore, you cannot purchase seeds. If you want to grow it, you must buy the plant.

Like all basils, stem cuttings root easily in water. Once my two plants were established, I made several stem cuttings, rooted them in water, and then potted them up once they had roots. From those plants, I made even more cuts so now I have several plants flourishing in different parts of my property. It is much like having one coleus plant and making stem cuttings until you have enough for the summer. Now in July I must stop (yes, Virginia, I probably should have stopped earlier) because cutting prevents it from flowering and the point is to let the plants flower all summer long.

Basils should be grown in full sun in moist, well-drained soil. My plants are in different light exposures from hot full sun to shade so we will see which performs well. Although more heat tolerant than other basils, I think full sun during a heat wave warrants a little shade protection. Fortunately, African blue basil is not as susceptible to downy mildew like sweet basil. This plant also makes a great container plant, which I have done in the past.

Here in Virginia most people grow African blue basil as an annual but it really is a perennial hardy to zone 10. When the fall comes, I may either take cuttings or dig up some of the plants to bring indoors to overwinter them. That way, I won’t have to purchase them again next year.

I highly recommend this plant to grow as a colorful annual, both in the garden bed and in containers. The pink/purple flowers attract bees and butterflies and can be cut for fresh or dried floral arrangements. Plus, you can make more from one!