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We're getting ready for the new year!

We have been busy packing our favorite flower seeds and gearing up for another amazing year. Stay tuned for back in stock seeds and plants for 2025 plus over 75 new varieties!
Basil 'Dark Opal' Organic
Basil 'Dark Opal' Organic
Organic Seed

Basil 'Dark Opal' Organic

Ocimum basilicum
Stunning violet-purple leaves and pink flowers make this variety perfect for flower beds and pots. The licorice flavor is ideally paired with summer tomatoes; the dark leaves infuse vinegars with aromatic flavor and a rich plummy color. A member of the mint family, basil is great as an herbal tea for stomach complaints.
SKU #S839OG
$3.50
Currently Unavailable
Notify Me When Available
Growing Companions
Basil 'Everleaf™ Thai Towers'
Basil 'Everleaf™ Thai Towers'
Basil 'Large Leaf' Organic
Basil 'Large Leaf' Organic
Basil - Sacred Organic
Basil - Sacred Organic
Basil - Thai Sweet Organic
Basil - Thai Sweet Organic
Details
Approximate Seeds Per Packet
400
Lifecycle
Annual
Annual Hardiness
Tender Annual
Mature Size
1.5-2' h x 1-1.5' w
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Soil
Rich, moist, well-drained
Season
Summer to fall
Color
Deep purple foliage with lighter purple-pink flower spikes
Features
Scented Leaves
Great for containers
Attracts Bees
Notable
Certified Organic Seed Available
All-America Selections Winner
SOWING INSTRUCTIONS
Depth:
1/8"
Sprout Time:
5-10 days
Seed To Bloom:
80 days to harvest
Starting Indoors:
Sow indoors 4-6 weeks before planting out. Keep at 70-90°F.
Starting Outdoors:
Direct sow after last frost.
WHEN TO SET OUTSIDE
After last frost.
PLACEMENT & CULTIVATION
Native to tropical regions and a sacred herb in India, basil has the delectable flavor and aroma of sweet anise. They grow best in warm weather in summer; mulch with hay to conserve water and keep pinching back the tips of the stems for branching growth and a good crop of leaves. Be sure to trim any flower spikes that develop late in the season to continue the harvest, or sow twice a season for fresh tender leaves all summer.
Final Spacing:
1-1.5'
Water Requirements:
Medium Water Use
Watering Details:
Keep moist—about 1" of water per week, more during particularly dry/hot spells, depending on the plant's location and sun-exposure.
Soil pH:
Not particular about pH
Fertilizer:
Rake a few inches of compost into the soil prior to planting. Supplement with an all-purpose organic granular or liquid feed according to package instructions.
Diseases & Pests:
Avoid fungal problems by placing in a location with good airflow, and do not over-water.
When to Cut for Bouquets:
Harvest mature leaves individually or on branches, being sure to leave enough plant behind for the plant to continue to flourish.