This heirloom variety combines ornamental richness with culinary use — its rich colour makes it a standout in mixed herb displays, while its flavour pairs well with tomatoes, aubergines, and citrus. Like all basil, it thrives in warm, sheltered spots and benefits from regular picking.

• Flowers: July–August (pinch out to prolong leaf growth)
• Tender (grow as an annual outdoors)

• Soil: Free draining, fertile
• Aspect: South-facing
• Sun levels: Full sun

Grown in peat-free compost and supplied in a biodegradable coir pot, made from waste coconut fibre and natural latex. When planting, simply remove the basil and reuse or compost the pot: break it up for mulch, add it to your compost heap, pop it in the green bin, or leave out for nesting birds. Water regularly, avoid waterlogging, and pinch out growing tips to encourage bushy growth. Ideal for patio pots or sunny kitchen sills.