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OCIMUM 'African Blue'

Image of Ocimum 'African Blue'

Felder Rushing

Family

Lamiaceae

Botanical Name

OCIMUM 'African Blue'

Plant Common Name

African Blue Basil, Hybrid Basil

General Description

Big, beautiful ‘African Blue’ basil is a hybrid of Ocimum basilicum 'Dark Opal,' a purple-leafed sweet basil and Ocimum kilimandscharicum, camphor basil. It is grown as much for its lovely leaves as it is for cooking. The large leaves are purple when they first emerge and mature to dark, shiny green with purple veins and undersides. The fragrance and flavor is spicy with hints of camphor. The upright, bushy plants are large and ideal for sunny garden spots.

In summer basil produces spikes of lavender pink, two-lipped flowers. After bloom, the plants put fewer resources towards foliage production and more towards flower production. This results in smaller, stronger, more acrid tasting leaves. So, it is best to pick off the flower buds as they appear to keep plants from blooming. African Blue basil is sterile and does not produce seeds.

Satisfyingly easy to grow, basil requires full sun and fertile to average, well-drained soil. Grow it as a spring and summer annual or all year around where winters are frost-free and mild. Water regularly for good growth and harvest the leaves often to encourage the continued growth of tender shoots and leaves. This easy herb looks great in containers and mixed borders as well as vegetable and herb gardens. Basil is the perfect companion plant for tomatoes, so plant a few at the base of their cages or trellises.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    9 - 11

  • Sunset Zone

    A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Herb

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    18"-36" / 45.7cm - 91.4cm

  • Width

    12"-36" / 30.5cm - 91.4cm

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Pink, Lavender

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Purple

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Purple

  • Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Purple

  • Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green, Purple

  • Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    Yes

  • Fragrant Foliage

    Yes

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    Yes

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Coarse

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Container, Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    No