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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 care for African blue basil?
- How do you grow African blue basil?
- Will African blue basil come back?
- What can I do with African blue basil?
- How do you overwinter African blue basil?
- Does basil die after it flowers?
- How big does African blue basil get?
- Is African blue basil perennial?
- Can u eat African blue basil?
- Is African blue basil native to Florida?
- Where does African basil grow?
How do you care for African blue basil?
African blue basil grows equally well in sun or light shade. It requires a bare minimum of water. It is a perennial and will grace your garden for several years at least. You can use it make pesto, to sprinkle over roasted potatoes and to flavor drinks and salads.
How do you grow African blue basil?
Care and Growth
You can only propagate African Blue basil via cuttings because it does not form seeds. The sterile, fast-growing plant fares best in sunny areas and when planted during the spring to mid-summer in well-drained loam or sand. Plant it in gardens or in containers that are at least 10 to 12 inches wide.
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!
What can I do with African blue basil?
In addition to the leaves, African Blue basil flowers are edible and can be used as a garnish in soups, salads, and grain bowls.
...
| Beverage | |
|---|---|
| Parsnips and Pastries | Blue Basil Whiskey Smash |
| Sauce | |
| No Thyme to Waste | African Blue Basil + Arugula Pesto |
| Oh My Dish | African Blue Basil Vinaigrette |
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.
Does basil die after it flowers?
Final Thoughts. Thankfully, basil plants will not die after flowering. But, if you are growing basil to use the leaves in cooking, you'll want to pinch off the flowers as soon as you see them. This will keep the basil tasting at its best and allow your plant to put more energy into leaf production.
How big does African blue basil get?
Native to Africa and South Asia, African blue basil plants have long been grown for the medicinal and culinary uses of the leaves. It is related to the common basil that flavors so many dishes but grows as a shrub rather than a leafy herb. The shrub grows up to 6 feet (2 m.) tall and looks a little weedy.
Is African blue basil perennial?
For those who've never heard of African blue basil, let me explain a bit about it. A hybrid variety created by crossing camphor basil and dark opal basil, it is grown as a perennial in climates much warmer than ours.
Can u eat African blue basil?
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.
Is African blue basil native to Florida?
Photo by Beth Bolles, UF IFAS Extension Escambia County. African blue basil is a hybrid of two different basil plants that has inherited a camphor flavor from one of its parents. ... Plants do form woody stems and although frost tender in North Florida, some plants may return in the spring in more protected areas.
Where does African basil grow?
African Blue Basil Herb Plants produce purple-veined leaves with a strong, earthy flavor and a warm, sweet camphor scent. The flowers are very decorative. Basil grows best in full sun locations with moist, well-drained soil. It can easily be grown indoors.
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