Dark Opal Purple Basil is a dark, fragrant beauty with its glossy, deep black-purple leaves that shimmer with iridescence in bright light, plum-colored stems, and edible violet flower spikes that make a spectacular garnish. A slow grower, but also a slow bolter. 

Use it to add sweet, intense anise flavor and a dreamy purple color to pesto or bruschetta, or mix it into a moody Caprese salad with Black Krim Tomatoes.

Harvest the leaves and stems from the top part of the plant, and pinch off edible flower buds as they appear, which prevents the leaves from turning bitter, and signals the plant to branch out and grow more leaves, making a bushier plant. 

The more you harvest, the more it grows! 

• Sweet, intense anise flavor
• Slow to bolt (flower)
• 1962 All-America Selections (AAS) Winner
• Good for containers
• Tons of medicinal benefits!

As a medicinal herb, Basil has been used internally to treat anxiety, colds, colic, cough, depression, diarrhea, fever, flatulence, flu, indigestion, insomnia, intestinal parasites and worms, exhaustion, gastric pain, gonorrhea, lactation problems, migraine headache, nausea, stomach cramps, sore throat, and vomiting, and externally to treat acne, insect bites and stings, loss of smell, skin problems, snake bites.

⚠️ Do not use medicinally while pregnant.

⚠️ Medicinal properties are presented as information only, and are not a recommendation or prescription for use. Consult a medical professional before using any herb medicinally.

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum
• Life cycle: Herbaceous annual
• Hardiness zones: 8-10
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• Days to maturity: 60-80 days; can begin harvesting when 6" tall
• Depth to plant seeds: 1/4" deep
• Days to germinate (sprout): 5-10 days
• Germination soil temps: 70F-75F
• Spacing between plants: 18"-24" apart
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per 2 sq. ft.
• Soil types: Sandy, loamy, silty, rich, moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.0-7.5
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Water needs: High - keep soil moist
• Cold stratify: No
• Frost tolerant: No
• Heat tolerant: Yes
• Drought tolerant: No
• Deer resistant: Yes
• Culinary use: Yes
• Medicinal use: Yes
• Attracts: Hummingbirds, pollinators, beneficial insects
• Repels: Asparagus beetles, cabbage moths, cabbage white butterfly, cabbage worms, carrot white fly, flies, maggots, mice, mosquitoes, spider mites, thrips, tomato hornworms 

Good companion plants: Anise, Asparagus, Beet, Borage, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chamomile, Chives, Collards, Cilantro/Coriander, Dill, Eggplant, Fenugreek, Garlic, Jicama, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lemongrass, Leek, Lettuce, Marigold, Mint, Mustard, Onion, Oregano, Parsley, Parsnip, Pepper, Potato, Purslane, Radish, Rutabaga, Salad Burnet, Shiso, Tomato, Turnip, Yarrow

A 1962 All-America Selections Winner! This annual basil plant produces extremely fragrant dark purple leaves.  It can be used as a garnish or to make flavored vinegars. This basil drys excellently and is very easy to grow.  Gardening in a small space or wanting to use a container? This variety grows great in them! 

What is Dark Opal Purple Basil?

This sweet and very popular variety of basil has gorgeous purple-black glossy foliage and a delicious aroma. It's eye catching and a beautiful, colorful garden plant.  This basil produces small to medium sized, tender leaves.  It is slow to bolt and grows at a steady pace.  The dark purple has a green metallic undertone or sheen and in bright light it can appear flat and open.  

Health Benefits of Dark Opal Purple Basil

Dark Opal Purple Basil has a variety of medicinal benefits and has been known to improve digestive functions, treat acne and insect bites, improve nausea, and work as a sedative for muscle spasms and cramps.  

 

Ways to Consume Dark Opal Purple Basil

Like many basil varieties, Dark Opal Purple Basil has a degree of licorice flavor, and it is used in the culinary world as an attractive garnish with good flavor.  Use this herb fresh or dried and even frozen.  It works wonderfully in salads and on sandwiches.  The uses for this herb are endless and everyone should take advantage of this fresh and spicy leaf.   

 

See Basil Recipes & Growing Tips on our Pinterest Board