Red Opal Basil – a Vibrant Accent for Your Garden
🌿 Red Opal Basil – a Vibrant Accent for Your Garden
Red Opal Basil is a vibrant and aromatic herb with red-violet leaves and a gently spicy, sweet flavour. It adds a distinctive taste and fragrance to every dish and a colourful highlight to any garden. A true fusion of Mediterranean sunshine and natural elegance.
🪴 Botanical Description
Height: 25–40 cm
Type: Annual, heat-loving herb
Leaves: Smooth, glossy, deep red-violet
Flowers: Small, pale pink to violet, blooming from July to August
Aroma: Sweet, warm, slightly spicy
Flavour: Mildly sweet with a hint of clove and cumin
Red Opal Basil grows beautifully in garden beds or pots — on the balcony or kitchen windowsill. It loves sunlight, warmth, and gentle care, rewarding you with lush, fragrant foliage.
🌱 Growing from Seeds
Sowing time: March–April indoors; outdoors only after frost, when the temperature steadily exceeds +15 °C
Soil: Light, loose, and well-drained, enriched with compost or organic humus
Sowing: Scatter seeds on the surface and press lightly into moist soil
Germination: 1–2 weeks at +20…+25 °C
Transplanting outdoors: Early June, leaving 25–30 cm between plants
Care: Water moderately, allowing the soil to dry between waterings; regular pinching of flower buds helps shape a beautiful bush and enhances both aroma and deep red leaf colour.
Basil thrives in warmth and sunlight. If light is insufficient, the leaves turn green and stems become leggy. Indoors, use grow lights to provide 12–14 hours of illumination daily.
📦 Package: 5 seeds
🌞 Growing in Northern and Southern Climates
Northern countries (Latvia, Estonia, Finland, etc.):
Best grown in a greenhouse, veranda, or sunny windowsill. Protect from cold drafts and wind. Avoid overwatering – excess moisture leads to root rot and mould. Regular bud pinching and light care help maintain colour and fragrance.
Southern countries (Italy, Greece, Spain, etc.):
Thrives in full sun and heat. During intense midday sun, provide light shade to prevent leaf burn. Water deeply but infrequently. Mulch helps retain soil moisture and keeps roots cool.
🚫 Common Growing Mistakes
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Too little light – leaves turn green, stems stretch out.
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Overwatering – causes root rot and mould.
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Cold air or draughts – stops growth, leaves develop spots.
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Excess fertiliser – weakens flavour, fades colour.
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Unpruned flower buds – plant blooms too soon, reducing leaf yield.
🌾 Flavour and Nutritional Value
Red Opal Basil is not only beautiful but also nutritious. Its leaves are rich in vitamins A, C and K, iron, calcium and antioxidants. Its aroma fills the garden, kitchen and every meal with a light, pleasant, summery atmosphere – even in winter.
In cooking, it adds a special flavour and fragrance, pairing perfectly with tomatoes, cheese, salads, pasta and even desserts.
🌸 Tips from Heart Garden Studio
Red Opal Basil brings a vivid, colourful touch and enhances the natural palette of your garden, balcony, terrace or windowsill. It complements other herbs beautifully, and its aroma naturally attracts pollinators.
A truly charming and rewarding plant that brings a touch of sunshine to everyday life.
Heart Garden Studio
