Basil 'Italian Red'

With serrated-edged, purple leaves often tinged green, 'Italian Red' Basil is beautiful as well as flavorful. This variety is more intensely flavored than sweet basil and due to its purple hues, is loaded with the same healthy anthocyanins found in other purple foods - think blueberries and grapes - without the sugars. Its compact growth habit makes 'Italian Red' a terrific addition to container planters or even hanging baskets, but will die at first frost, so harvest the entire plant by early fall. For best flavor and maximum health benefits, harvest the leaves just before the flowers bloom.  

Common Name: Basil 'Red Italian'

Culinary Uses: Excellent in soups, stews, and salads. Stronger/spicier flavor than the Genovese variety

Harvest Time: Leaves may be plucked at any time, taking no more than a third of the plant at one time. Harvest completely before fall freeze.

Mature Size: 12" tall and about as wide

Growth Rate: Fast

Cold Hardiness: 35°

Characteristics: Container lover, deer-resistant, edible

Light: Sun to partial sun

Structure: Rounded mound

Photos: Real images, not stock photos

Please Note: When Ground Shipping is selected, plants will be shipped on the following Monday to help maintain the plant quality.