African Blue Basil

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Experience the enchanting aroma and vibrant flavor of African Blue Basil, a striking variety that boasts a rich, spicy profile with hints of mint and clove.

Its lush, dark green leaves are beautifully contrasted by delicate purple flowers, making it a stunning addition to any garden. Ideal for fresh salads, pestos, and herbaceous infusions, this basil variety will elevate your culinary creations with its robust character and aromatic charm.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 65 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of African Blue Basil

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African Blue Basil Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 13th	Jul 20th	Sep 23rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 13th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 13th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	Jul 14th	Sep 17th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 13th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	Jul 8th	Sep 11th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	Jul 3rd	Sep 6th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	Jun 29th	Sep 2nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	Jun 26th	Aug 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Jun 20th	Aug 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Jun 15th	Aug 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	Jun 5th	Aug 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	May 27th	Jul 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	May 18th	Jul 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	May 1st	Jul 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Apr 6th	Jun 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	65
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

African Blue Basil has a peppery, clove-warm character that stays aromatic instead of turning candy-sweet, with a minty chill that makes it feel bright even when the leaves are cooked briefly. Use it off-heat for maximum lift—or grind it into pesto for a sauce that tastes assertive, not timid.

Best Uses

pesto where the heat reads as a peppery edge rather than sweet green basil
fresh torn-leaf salads and mozzarella plates—best added at the last second
herbaceous infusions and quick syrups where the clove note can bloom
finish for hot dishes (rice, beans, grilled proteins) off-heat to preserve the mint-cool edge

Flavor Profile

rich, spicy basil bite cool minty lift with a clove-like warmth fragrant dark-green leafiness tender leaves that bruise into a strong aromatic release

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon olive oil parmesan mozzarella chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my African Blue Basil leaves turning yellow with grayish spots and curling, and what should I do?

This is often downy mildew or botrytis, especially when basil stays wet and temperatures are mild. Remove the worst leaves immediately, improve airflow, and water at the soil line (not over the plants). If it keeps spreading, switch to an approved organic fungicide and follow label timing, while avoiding overhead watering for the rest of the season.

How often should I water African Blue Basil during its main growing phase (about weeks 3–8)?

Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry; in full sun this usually means every 2–4 days, depending on heat. Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged—African Blue Basil resents soggy roots and is more disease-prone. Use a slow, direct-soil soak so moisture reaches the root zone without wetting the foliage.

How can I tell when African Blue Basil is ready to harvest at 65 days?

Harvest when plants are about 10–12 inches tall and have developed plenty of dark, aromatic leaves plus sturdy stems (typically around day 65). Pinch or cut just above a pair of leaves; the first true harvest is best when leaves are fully sized but before the plant starts forming heavy flowers. If you see early flowering, start harvesting more frequently to keep forcing fresh leaf growth.