African Blue Basil: Long-Blooming and Beloved by Pollinators

Don’t you wish your favorite plants bloomed a little longer? or had a great fragrance? or simply didn’t die so easily?  African blue basil (ABB) has all these benefits and more.

ABB is native to Africa.  It is a hybrid of camphor basil (Ocimum kilimandscharicum) and a small, purple-leaved variety of ordinary garden basil (Ocimum basilicum).  The camphor basil is tropical woody shrub which is known to have a strong camphor scent.   ABB inherited this strong scent .

ABB blooms profusely starting in March and continues non-stop until November when the first frost usual set in in the Sacramento area.  Its flower stems can grow to 18” long and attract bees and other pollinators.  ABB provides a great food source for these pollinators.  In most plants, flower production is hindered  by seed development.  Since ABB  is sterile and will not go to seed, all its energy goes into producing flowers.  That is why it has a long blooming duration.

ABB’s lovely flowers can be used for ornamental purposes  as well as culinary.  It performs well  both as cut flowers and dry bouquets.  Some people think that its scent is too strong for cooking, but others think that it makes great pesto.  It can also be used as garnish.

Due to the severe drought in California, some people have cut back on their gardening activities.  Since ABB requires mimimum amount of water and can tolerate poor soil, it is a great alternative to consider.  ABB grows in both indoor and outdoor, and it prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade.  The  lack of seeds is no problem to propagation ABB, and it can be done easily by cutting.  When taking a shoot, place it in water, and roots will begin to grow in a few days.

African blue basil is really easy and rewarding to grow.  Hope that you will give it a try.