Red basil: special features & cultivation tips

Red basil is becoming increasingly popular. Find out what makes it so special and how best to grow it at home here.

For red basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a red-leaved variant of the popular lip flower family (Lamiaceae). Often the corresponding varieties are also called Black basil because the leaves turn dark purple.

Red basil: origin and peculiarities

Like the green-leaved one that is related to it basil, so the red basil originally comes from the tropics of Africa, America and Asia. There it has been cultivated and used for cooking for many centuries. Instead of green leaves, this very decorative basil impresses with its colors that vary from light red to deep purple. Its flowers are also rarely white, but mostly pink to purple in color. The reddish appearance is caused by a high content of dark blue dyes, the so-called anthocyanins, in the plant cells.

Tip: These dyes are formed in a higher intensity when the plants are in a sunny location.

Red basil varieties: an overview

Whether black or red basil - the varieties are the same and are now available in many places. We introduce you to some popular varieties below:

• 'African Blue': Perennial shrub basil (Ocimum kilimanjaricum x basilicum), reach heights of up to one meter, strong red-green leaf color, pink-purple flowers, flowering period: May to September, a comparatively robust and even perennial variety (provided that temperatures> 10 ° C also prevail in the Winter)
• '(Dark) Opal': Uniformly dark colored variety, curled leaf margin, taste similar to the widespread 'Genovese' basil
• 'Red Ruffles': Dark red and deeply incised leaf margins; pink-purple, edible flowers; Aroma contains notes of anise, cinnamon, some citrus and pepper
• 'Red Rubin': Dark-leaved variety, slightly hot, awarded the "All America Selection Winner" award in 1992

Grow red basil

The cultivation of the red basil resembles, except for a few aspects, the "normal" Basil cultivation. We have summarized the most important aspects that you should consider when growing red basil at a glance.

Growing red basil:

• Light germinator - so do not cover seeds with soil
• Can be brought forward in the house from mid-March, at 18 - 25 ° C
• Always keep seeds well moist
• After germination (7-14 days), transplant into larger pots
• For intense foliage color, choose a location that is as sunny as possible

Tip: With the Plantura herb growing kit you can easily grow basil on the windowsill. This is achieved with the help of the included mini greenhouse. The set also includes seeds of basil and three other herbs as well as a growing pots, substrate and plant labels.

Of course, red basil can also be propagated quickly and successfully using cuttings. To do this, simply cut off shoots approximately 10 cm long and remove the leaves in the lower part of the cutting. Then the prepared cuttings are either inserted directly into the substrate or first rooted in a water glass. Like you basil and others Simply multiply kitchen herbs and can harvest all year round can be found here in detail.

Pour and fertilize red basil

Like its green relative, red basil has a high water requirement, so it should be watered regularly. In any case, it is important to avoid waterlogging at all costs. The leaves of the basil should also not be wetted when watering. If your red basil is outside, you should choose a protected location. Basil generally has a high nutritional requirement. It is therefore advisable to use soil rich in humus and fertilize regularly with organic fertilizer - our Plantura is suitable for this Organic universal fertilizer ideal.

Hibernate red basil

In order to successfully overwinter your magnificent basil plant, you should make sure to choose a perennial variety. But that alone cannot bring the basil through the winter, because the red basil is by no means hardy in our cool, temperate climatic zone. Therefore, it should move to a location over the winter that guarantees cool temperatures above 10 ° C. In addition, care should be taken to ensure that there is sufficient light supply and, if necessary, artificial lighting should be used. Also, be careful to avoid cold drafts.

It can happen that the reddish color of the basil wears off somewhat in winter. This is explained by the lower light intensity, which often cannot be compensated for by artificial lighting. But don't worry - in spring the characteristic red color of your beloved basil plant will increase again in the face of sunlight.

Red basil: use and ingredients

Basically, red basil can be used in the kitchen in the same way as green basil. However, its impressive color offers a special decorative value when garnishing dishes and is sure to be a real eye-catcher for your guests. The diverse and sometimes more intense taste nuances of the red varieties also ensure lasting impressions.

Processing basil into pesto is a classic. With the red basil pesto, however, the color comes from the tomatoes used rather than the red basil. Aside from the characteristic anthocyanins, red basil also contains various essential oils. As a result, it has a calming, antispasmodic and digestive effect.

More tips on Overwintering basil You will find here.