Description

Purple basil where you can enjoy the delicious aroma as you enter your yard or on the sidewalks as you walk through the garden. The pink flowers add to the beauty of the dark purple, the almost black leaves of the image. Growing slowly than most other basil plants, the flowers of this plant bloom in mid-late summer. Keep flowers pinned back while using the leaves for cooking or medicinal purposes.

Start seed indoors or plant unless the temperature is 65 degrees F. (18 C.) or warm. Plant the basil seeds in light, well drained soil supplemented with well-fertilized material. Allow 3 to 14 days for germination. Walk to a slightly sunny spot as the leaves grow.

Purple basil leaves provide an antiseptic agent that eliminates acne and cures insect bites. The leaves can be shredded or crushed to fit in your home-made insect repellent. Grow this basil and tomato plants, as it promotes growth and repels tomato pests. Grow it in containers in decks or near outdoor living areas to help keep mosquitoes and insects away. Store the leaves, fresh or dried, so you can use them while your plants are still growing. Frozen whole or store in layers of sea salt. You can also chop the basil and mix it with other herbs and oil to cool in ice cube trays and store in refrigerated bags when frozen. This attractive purple color stands out in many dishes.