African Blue Basil (Ocimum 'African Blue'): Ornamental Perennial Basil for Pollinators

Overview

African Blue basil (Ocimum 'African Blue', syn. 'Kasar') is a sterile hybrid basil that grows as a perennial in frost-free climates. Unlike culinary basils, it doesn't bolt or set seed, instead producing continuous spikes of pink-purple flowers with dark purple calyxes—a magnet for bees and butterflies. The leaves have a camphor-clove flavor, less sweet than sweet basil.

Botanical Description

Upright, woody-based shrub 60–90 cm tall. Leaves are ovate, 4–8 cm long, green with purple veins, aromatic. Flowers are small, tubular, pink-purple, in dense, terminal spikes 10–20 cm long, with showy dark purple calyxes, blooming continuously spring to frost.

Taxonomy

Family:	Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee)
Genus:	Ocimum (OSS-ih-mum)
Cultivar:	'African Blue' (aka 'Kasar')

Growing Conditions

• Light: Full sun.
• Soil: Well-drained, fertile.
• Water: Regular; more moisture-tolerant than sweet basil.
• Hardiness: USDA zones 10–11; grown as annual or overwintered indoors elsewhere.

Uses

Ornamental: Borders, containers, pollinator gardens. Culinary: Leaves in pesto, teas, vinegars (strong flavor—use sparingly). Wildlife: Exceptional bee and butterfly plant. Sterile—no deadheading needed.

Propagation

Only by cuttings (roots easily in water). Does not come true from seed (sterile hybrid).