Ocimum basilicum

A vitamin C and antioxidant bomb, red basil is loved for its rich red colour and great taste. Stronger than regular basil, red basil packs a punch that will make any salad, sandwich, or pesto you craft a complete knockout.

Sprouts in: 1 - 2 weeks

Harvest in: 5 - 12 weeks

• Red Basil is not heat sensitive and grows best at 18 - 30 °C / 64 - 86 °F.

• Red Basil likes to be cut! You can start trimming your plants in about one month after planting. You may remove single leaves occasionally. But, for more thriving growth pinching off the whole tip is recommended - it will grow two new shoots in a week.

• Cutting and pruning your plant will also delay its flowering. Guide to pruning can be found here.

• When basil starts to flower, the taste changes - for some people it will be too bitter. It is up to you - if you want to see how a basil’s flower and what it’s seeds look like, don’t cut your plant anymore. If you like to keep using the leaves, cut the plant strongly back.

• But notice, that basil is an annual plant. It does not last forever. If 70 days old basil looks old already, well, it is time to replace the pod.