basil, holy red/green

latin name: ocimum sanctum

zone:  Z10
type: annual
light: full sun
height: 12-18” (30-45 cm)

description:  Tender annual.  The true sacred basil to Hindus grown in houses, gardens and near temples.  This plant has slender leaves, hairy purplish stem, and purple flower bracts.  The leaves when crushed have a light musky scent with a hint of mint and cloves, which is great used in salads and other cold dishes.  

harvest:  Pick leaves throughout the growing season to use fresh or dry.  Cut off flower heads to encourage continued new growth throughout the summer.  Never harvest more than 1/3 of the plant at a time.  Also, the more you harvest, the more your plant will produce.    

culinary notes:  Fresh leaves are added to salads and used to flavour fruit dishes, jellies, preserves, and sweet breads.  Dried leaves are an ingredient of Ethiopian spice mixtures.  Seeds are soaked in water to make a cooling drink.  

extra tip:  In our northern climate basil is very sensitive to over watering and colder nights.  It is best potted in pots which can be moved indoors during late spring when the night temperatures are still below 10 degrees Celsius.  Basil can be planted in the gardens once the night temperatures rise above 10 degrees Celsius.