Basil 'African Blue'

'African Blue' basil is a decorative aromatic basil with fragrant purplish-green foliage and attractive mauve flower spikes that are very appealing to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Format

Hardiness Not hardy

Difficulty level Easy

Family Lamiaceae

'African Blue' basil is an aromatic and ornamental variety of basil, highly prized for its dark green, slightly purple foliage, purplish stems, and decorative mauve blossoms. More robust and spectacular than many classic basils, it forms a generous, bushy plant that quickly adds color, fragrance, and volume to pots, herb containers, urban vegetable gardens, and edible flowerbeds. Its aroma is intense, slightly spicy, and camphor-like, perfect for flavoring Mediterranean dishes, sauces, salads, marinades, grilled vegetables, and summer recipes.

Easy to grow in warm weather, 'African Blue' basil prefers a very sunny, warm, and wind-sheltered location, in fertile, light, and well-drained soil. It performs very well in containers on a terrace or balcony, but can also be planted directly in the ground in a vegetable garden or herb garden. Regular watering promotes good growth, while avoiding excess water which can harm the roots. To maintain a dense and productive plant, it is recommended to regularly harvest young shoots and lightly prune the stems as needed.

Very interesting for pollinators, 'African Blue' basil produces abundant blooms that attract bees and add great ecological value to the garden. Unlike more traditional basils, it retains excellent decorative interest even when flowering, making it a perfect choice for gourmet landscaping, aromatic gardens, and summer container plantings. With its fragrant foliage, mauve flowers, and distinctive appearance, this basil is ideal for creating an outdoor space that is both useful, colorful, and lively.