Basil 'Purple'

Pinch terminal shoots to encourage branching. Harvest leaves before flowering occurs, or they will be bitter. Likes warm growing conditions – if your climate is cool, place it in the warmest spot in the garden. If this still isn’t warm enough, grow under cloches². Low NPK requirements². Does well in containers as small as one gallon (4 litres)². Put 1 plant per 6-inch pot, or 3 per 12-inch pot

Try to plant in a location that enjoys full sun and remember to water moderately. Purple is generally regarded as a tender plant, so remember to ensure that temperatures are mild before moving outdoors. Purple needs a loamy, sandy and silty soil with a ph of 5.1 to 7.5 (weakly acidic soil to weakly alkaline soil).

Cover with finely sieved compost.

Aim to sow 0.12 inches (0.3 cm) deep and try to ensure a gap of at least 0.5 inches (1.27 cm). For optimal germination, soil temperature should be a minimum of 10°C / 50°F.

By our calculations, you should look at sowing Purple about 20 days before your last frost date.

Plant out when frost risk has passed.

Purple is tender, so ensure you wait until all danger of frost has passed in your area before considering planting outside - as a guideline, the minimum temperature outside should be approximately 18°C / 64°F.

By our calculations, you should look at planting out Purple about 21 days after your last frost date.

Pick before flowering ¹.

This variety tends to mature and be ready for harvest in mid summer.

The word basil means “king” in Greek – it is believed to have grown above the spot where St. Constantine and Helen discovered the Holy Cross.

Jewish folklore says that basil adds strength while fasting.

¹ Growing Basil – Gardenate

² Purple Basil on Smart Gardener