African blue basil care requires the best conditions; full sun, loamy soil that is rich in nutrients and well-drained, and moderate humidity and soil moisture. This plant can become invasive and spread rapidly in disturbed areas. Take care if growing outside in a region where the conditions are right for it to thrive.
How do you take care of African basil plants?
Water the African basil plants a few hours or the day before trimming to revive the plants. Watering is only required if the soil is dry and leaves appear wilted; giving the plants water ensures that you harvest healthy leaves that are best for cooking.
Can You Grow African blue basil from cuttings?
As a bee plant, African blue basil tops my list because it’s so easy to propagate from cuttings. For new gardeners out there, propagation from cuttings is a cloning a technique, a way to grow lots of new plants from an existing plant, that works especially well for anything in the mint family—like basil.
What does an African blue basil plant look like?
It’s a beautiful plant, with green-purple foliage; a plump, round growing habit; a bewitching herbal smell; and an eye-catching spray of purple and white flower spikes. For a basil, it’s a surprisingly forgiving plant: if you forget to water or prune an established African blue basil, it bounces back. It also makes great cut flowers!
Does African basil like wet or dry soil?
African basil makes a great choice in wet environments because many other basil varieties prefer dry to slightly moist soil. Regular trimming encourages branching in the African basil plant and prevents early flowering so the plant continues to produce new leaves for culinary use.
How often do you water African blue basil?
1. Water the African basil plants a few hours or the day before trimming to revive the plants. Watering is only required if the soil is dry and leaves appear wilted; giving the plants water ensures that you harvest healthy leaves that are best for cooking.
How do I prune my African basil?
Harvesting the leaves and cutting back plants helps the African Blue basil grow. Remove dead flowers and cut stems right above leaves. Cut back tall plants to help thin out thick bushes. At the end of the season, remove all dead foliage and clean up debris from around plants.
Will African blue basil come back?
For a basil, it's a surprisingly forgiving plant: if you forget to water or prune an established African blue basil, it bounces back. It also makes great cut flowers!
How do you prune blue basil?
1:143:11How to Prune Basil - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOkay let me just remove the rest these plants. I like to trim them about once a week or so and thatMoreOkay let me just remove the rest these plants. I like to trim them about once a week or so and that way I have plenty of basil. To use in my kitchen or to preserve.
How long does African basil live?
Storing African Blue Basil For the best flavor, harvest African blue basil leaves and flowers on the day you intend to use them. However, if you need to store them, wrap the leaves in a paper towel and place them in a plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator for 1-3 days.
How do you overwinter African blue basil?
African Blue Basil is more suited to indoor growing than most basils. If you want to over winter the plant, either grow it through the summer in a pot and move it in before frost or grow it in the ground and take tip cuttings in early fall.
Can African blue basil survive winter?
The right growing environment for African basil is subtropical and tropical with some humidity. It will not survive a cold winter and too much moisture affects the amount and quality of oil the leaves produce.
Can you eat African basil leaves?
All parts of the flower, leaves and stems are edible; although some might find the camphor scent too strong for use in the kitchen, the herb reportedly yields a tasty pesto with a "rich, mellow flavor" and can be used as a seasoning in soups and salads, particularly those featuring tomato, green beans, chicken, etc.
What can I do with African Basil?
Pollinators LOVE the purple flowers, and I've found that they are just as tasty as the leaves and can be used in pesto, salads, pasta, cocktails or anywhere else you'd use basil.
Does basil grow back after you cut it?
When you clip basil stems back to a fresh set of leaves, you force those leaves to grow, doubling the basil produced on that stem. And as those stems grow, you can pinch them back and double their production – it's exponential!
How do you pick basil so it keeps growing?
0:551:51How To Harvest Basil So It Keeps Growing BIG! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe main stem. And you're actually going to cut the main stem. Right above that node. So here we goMoreThe main stem. And you're actually going to cut the main stem. Right above that node. So here we go and we have a nice bouquet of basil here that we can use in a pesto.
How do you trim basil to make it bushy?
0:121:21How to cut basil for full bushy growth - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOr I could cut here between these two is set two leaves. And again just above the stem. And I wantMoreOr I could cut here between these two is set two leaves. And again just above the stem. And I want to make sure that it used scissors for this because. As you'll see basil is quite quite tough.
How do you prune basil so it keeps growing?
1:465:48How to Prune Basil - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd i'm going to make an angled cut about a quarter half inch above the leaves. Like. So i'll showMoreAnd i'm going to make an angled cut about a quarter half inch above the leaves. Like. So i'll show you one more time here how you do it this is a nice big one right here.
When should basil be cut back?
You don't need to prune basil plants when they are still small; wait until the herb is about 6 inches (15 cm.) tall before trimming basil leaves. The more often you prune the basil plant, the bushier and leafier it becomes.
How do you trim basil without killing it?
0:074:01How to harvest basil so it keeps growing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow once your plant gets to about six to eight inches tall. Don't stress about bringing out the tapeMoreNow once your plant gets to about six to eight inches tall. Don't stress about bringing out the tape measure right if your plant is really thick and bushy like mine is then.
How do you trim basil to make it bushy?
0:121:21How to cut basil for full bushy growth - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOr I could cut here between these two is set two leaves. And again just above the stem. And I wantMoreOr I could cut here between these two is set two leaves. And again just above the stem. And I want to make sure that it used scissors for this because. As you'll see basil is quite quite tough.
What color are the leaves of African blue basil?
African blue basil leaves. Leaves color of can be: green, blue or purple the shape is oval. Flower color purple, the flowers small that grow on inflorescence.
What is African blue basil?
African blue basil. Grow Plants / Growing instruction / African blue basil. African blue basil grow and care – shrub type of basil of the genus Ocimum also known as Blue basil or African basil, African blue basil perennial evergreen in warm climate and annual in colder climate, used for the edible leaves and also used as ornamental plant ...
Why does African blue basil flower so endlessly?
One of the reasons it flowers so endlessly is it’s a sterile plant. Since African blue basil never produces seed , its biological clock comes to a standstill. The clock stops ticking at the flowering stage of its life. It does not make a mature seed and die, as most plants are programmed to do.
Why is African blue basil considered a good trait?
This happened because African blue basil is a hybrid, a plant produced when two types of basil were crossed by a plant breeder. This resulting sterility of the plant was viewed as a good trait because it gave the plant a long season of flowers.
How to grow a sage plant from a cutting?
Gently sprinkle more soil on top of the roots until you fill the pot. Pack the soil down with your fingers just a little bit to stabilize the cutting, and water lightly. Repeat step 7 for all your your cuttings. Over the next 1-2 weeks, keep your potted-up cuttings in a sunny spot outside.
What does a basil plant smell like?
It’s a beautiful plant, with green-purple foliage; a plump, round growing habit; a bewitching herbal smell; and an eye-catching spray of purple and white flower spikes. For a basil, it’s a surprisingly forgiving plant: if you forget to water or prune an established African blue basil, it bounces back.
Can African blue basil be cut?
It also makes great cut flowers! As a bee plant, African blue basil tops my list because it’s so easy to propagate from cuttings. For new gardeners out there, propagation from cuttings is a cloning a technique, a way to grow lots of new plants from an existing plant, that works especially well for anything in the mint family—like basil.
Can you sprout basil from a cutting?
A cutting will sprout roots directly from the stem if placed in water and given the right conditions. I first learned the details of this technique years ago by watching CaliKim’s episode about basil propagation on YouTube. Though she teaches about Italian basil, the concepts are the same for African blue basil, and I highly recommend that you watch it if you’re interested in seeing all the steps of propagation. My tutorial below is for to African blue basil and includes lots of photos and tips specific to this type of basil.
How do I regrow an African blue basil plant?
If your African blue basil plant starts to look too overgrown, it can be cut back hard and it will regrow fresh foliage. After a heavy prune, I find it then regrows to its former flowering glory within a few short months.
How much sun does African blue basil need?
Being a subtropical to tropical plant, African blue basil requires full sun of at least six to eight hours daily. So choose the sunniest spot in the garden to grow African blue basil. It will also grow in partial shade if required.
What is African Blue Basil?
African blue basil belongs to the Lamiaceae family, a cross-bred variety that comes from camphor basil and dark opal basil. It’s a perennial plant and flowers profusely pretty much year-round, so as well as being an edible plant, it is a wonderful beneficial insect-attracting plant. In cooler climates, African blue basil can be grown as an annual herb.
How to plant a sage cutting?
When you see roots growing, your cuttings are now ready to be planted. Fill your pots or containers with potting soil to about 2/3 full. Gently take the cuttings out of the jar and plant them into the potting mix. Cover the roots with more soil until it fills up the pot. Carefully pat them down to make them secure.
What is camphor basil used for?
And most often used as a seasoning in soups, salads, sauces, and pesto as well as many other dishes including those with both vegetables, meat, chicken, and fish.
How long can you keep African blue basil leaves in the refrigerator?
However, if you need to store them, wrap the leaves in a paper towel and place them in a plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator for 1-3 days.
What is the best soil for a sage plant?
The soil needs to be well-drained loamy soil and a pH of 6.0 to 7.0, though this plant is really very tolerant and will grow in less than ideal soil conditions. Amending the soil with compost and aged manure prior to planting will help increase soil fertility and provide the best conditions for growing.
What color are the leaves of African Blue Basil?
The leaves of the plant have a beautiful purple hue which turns a deep green shade when the plant matures. The purple flowers are simply stunners. They’re long and elegant and are a magnet for bees and other pollinators. Since I planted African blue basil in my garden, native blue banded bees appeared, something I had not seen before.
Can basil be grown from seed?
As mentioned earlier, it can’t be grown from seed. I bought mine online as a small seedling and it has proved to be a worthy investment. Like all basil, it likes sunshine and good draining soil. It grows to about 80cm tall and spreads as wide so allow ample space. If planting it in a container, use the largest possible as the plant likes to spread and goes bushy.
Can you use African blue basil in salads?
African blue basil can be used like sweet basil with the advantage of having it all year round. It has an earthy basil taste with less of an aniseed note than other perennial types of basil. Use it in salads, make pesto, use it on pizza and pasta, in bruschetta, as garnish and so on. It is so versatile and the beautiful colour of the leaves brightens up any dish.
Can African blue basil be grown from seed?
What this means for this variety is that the plant can’t be grown from seed and can only be propagated by cuttings. While it may seem to place it at a disadvantage, its hybrid status means you can leave the flowers on the plant without the worry of the plant dying.
What is attracted to African blue basil?
Many bees and beneficial wasps will be attracted to African blue basil. Photo by Beth Bolles, UF IFAS Extension Escambia County
Does African blue basil like full sun?
Like other basils, African blue basil does like soils amended with composts that are well-drained. Plants thrive in full sun and will form rounded mounds that will be much larger than more culinary basils, up to five feet in some gardens. Plants do form woody stems and although frost tender, some plants may return in the spring in more protected areas.
What is herb garden guide?
Herb Garden Guide is a three module online course that teaches you start to finish about setting up and growing your own herb garden.
Can you move basil plants outside?
Monitor your plants as they settle in, and enjoy your summer herbs through the entire winter season! In the spring, you can move your basil plants outside to a semi-shaded area once the threat of frost has passed.
Can I grow African blue basil in my garden?
Fresh new African blue basil plants for your garden or windowsill are really that easy. I’m so excited for you to grow this delicious herb in your space and have that freshly harvested taste all year long.
What is blue basil?
What Is Blue Spice Basil: Growing Blue Spice Basil Plants. There’s nothing like the flavor of sweet basil, and while the bright green leaves have a charm of their own, the plant is certainly not an ornamental specimen. But all that has changed with the introduction of ‘Blue Spice’ basil plants.
What does blue spice basil taste like?
Blue Spice basil plants have small, brilliantly green leaves. When the plants bloom, they produce dense spikes of dark purple bracts with light purple flowers reminiscent of salvia . As the plant matures, the stems darken to maroon and new leaves emerge blushed with purple. The flavor has the quintessential licorice flavor ...
What is the flavor of blue basil?
The flavor has the quintessential licorice flavor of sweet basil but with notes of vanilla, spice and lemon. Its unique flavor profile lends itself well to tomato, eggplant, and zucchini dishes as well as meat, fish and cheese dishes. Blue Spice basil blooms earlier than most other sweet basils, from June to the first fall frosts.
How long does it take for basil to germinate?
Sow seeds thinly and cover lightly with soil. Germination should occur in a week to two weeks. Once the seedlings develop their first two sets of true leaves, thin the plants out, leaving only the strongest seedlings. Once established, basil requires very little care.
Can blue spice basil be grown indoors?
Growing Blue Spice Basil. Blue Spice basil, like other basil varieties, is a tender herb. It can be grown in USDA zones 3-10. It can be grown as an annual outdoors or as a perennial inside on a sunny windowsill. Basil likes fertile soil that has been well tilled.
How to keep a young plant soft?
Trim away any remaining stems or branches as they mature to maintain a young plant with soft stems. Woody, mature stems and leaves lack the flavor of young leaves.
Can African basil be used as an ornamental plant?
Unlike the white flowers of other common basil plants, African basil (Ocimum basilicum "African Blue") features a purple flower spike, making it suitable for use as an ornamental plant and culinary herb. African basil makes a great choice in wet environments because many other basil varieties prefer dry to slightly moist soil. Regular trimming encourages branching in the African basil plant and prevents early flowering so the plant continues to produce new leaves for culinary use. Basil plants produce seeds if allowed to flower, but you can enjoy fresh basil throughout summer if you keep the plants trimmed.
