± 60 seeds
Ready in 65 days
A basil with a slight clove flavor, its foliage is narrow, and its flowers have a lovely purple color.
Basil grows well indoors, in pots, or directly in the garden.
Start your basil seeds about 4 weeks before the last expected ground frost. Sow them just below the surface of the soil and maintain a relatively high room temperature to speed up germination. Once all risk of frost has passed, transplant them 16 inches apart. Provide rich, moist, and well-drained soil, but be sure to water them frequently as basil needs it! Pruning the plant is necessary as it will begin to wilt and die if it flowers.
When the basil reaches a height of 6 to 8 inches, you can harvest the leaves. Fresh basil will keep for several days at room temperature with the stems in a glass of water; if refrigerated, it tends to wilt and turn brown. It can also be frozen or dried.