African Blue Basil/Tulsi Healthy Camphor Smell Plant

African Blue Basil (Ocimum kilimandscharicum × basilicum) is a beautiful ornamental and culinary basil with purple stems, green leaves, and lavender flowers. It is a perennial in warm climates like most of India and is highly attractive to bees and butterflies.

Light

• Needs 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• In very hot summers (above 38°C), afternoon shade is beneficial.
• During the monsoon, place it where it receives good morning sun.

Soil

Use a fast-draining soil mix:

• 40% garden soil or cocopeat
• 30% river sand or perlite
• 30% compost or vermicompost

The soil should never stay soggy.

Pot Size

• Start with an 8-10 inch pot.
• Mature plants grow 2-4 feet tall, so shifting to a 12-16 inch pot helps them become bushier.

Watering

• Water only when the top 2-3 cm (1 inch) of soil feels dry.
• During summer: every 1-2 days depending on heat.
• During monsoon: reduce watering to prevent root rot.
• Never let the pot sit in standing water.

Fertilizer

Feed every 15-20 days:

• Vermicompost (1-2 handfuls), or
• Mustard cake liquid (well diluted), or
• Seaweed extract once a month.

Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, as it produces lots of leaves but fewer flowers.

Pruning

• Pinch the growing tips regularly to encourage branching.
• Trim flower spikes if you want more leaf production.
• If grown mainly for pollinators, allow some flower spikes to remain.

Monsoon Care

Since you’re growing plants during the rainy season:

• Ensure excellent drainage.
• Remove yellow or diseased leaves promptly.
• Spray neem oil (3-5 ml per litre of water) every 10-15 days if aphids or fungal problems appear.
• Keep the plant where rain doesn’t constantly soak the soil.

Temperature

• Best growth: 20-35°C
• Can tolerate heat well.
• Protect from frost and temperatures below about 10°C.

Propagation

African Blue Basil is sterile and usually does not produce viable seeds.

The easiest method is by stem cuttings:

1. Cut a healthy 10-15 cm stem.
2. Remove lower leaves.
3. Place in water or moist potting mix.
4. Roots usually appear within 1-3 weeks.