Rooted Futures

Growing Change

Basil: Dark Opal

  • Botanical Name: Ocimum Basilicum
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • Crop Type: Herb
  • Other Names: Purple Basil; Opal Basil; Basiliekruid (Afrikaans)
  • Lifecycle: Annual
  • Uses: Culinary herb (garnish, salads, vinegars); ornamental (purple foliage); pollinator attractant

Basil (Dark Opal) is an aromatic annual herb in the Lamiaceae family. Plants form compact, bushy growth with distinctive deep purple to burgundy-coloured leaves and stems, producing small pink to lavender flower spikes if allowed to bolt.

Leaves and flowers are the edible parts, offering a clove-anise flavour profile with visual appeal as a garnish. The purple pigmentation is retained when used fresh but may fade with prolonged cooking.

Cultivated as a warm-season herb requiring frost-free conditions and full sun, suited to garden beds, containers, and hydroponic systems. Dark Opal is notable for its ornamental purple foliage, which provides contrast in culinary presentations and herb gardens.

Climate
  • Climate Suitability
    Warm frost-free seasons; suitable for most SA summer gardens and year-round in tunnels.
  • Frost Tolerance
    Frost sensitive
  • Heat Tolerance
    High
  • Sun Type
    Full sun
  • Soil Texture
    Loam to sandy loam
  • Drainage Requirement
    Well-drained
  • Preferred pH Range
    6.0-7.5 pH
  • Water Requirement
    Moderate
  • Irrigation Type
    Drip; Micro Irrigation; Manual Watering; Hydroponic Recirculating
Propagation
  • Propagation Type
    Seed; Cutting
  • Propagation Season
    Spring to summer
  • Propagation Notes
    Sow warm; cuttings root easily in water or moist medium.
  • Germination Days
    5-10 days
  • Days To Transplant
    21-35 days
Planting
  • Planting Season
    Spring to early summer after frost
  • Plant Spacing
    25-35 cm
  • Row Spacing
    30-45 cm
  • Container Suitable
    Yes
Companion Crop Notes
Aromatic foliage may deter aphids and whitefly from neighbouring crops; benefits from warm microclimate near larger plants.

No companion Crops on recorded.

Please contact us should you feel that this is incorrect.

Competitor Crop Notes
Strong competition from dense herbs may reduce growth; rue is traditionally considered incompatible.

No companion Crops on recorded.

Please contact us should you feel that this is incorrect.

Pests & Diseases
  • Pest Types
    Aphids; Whitefly; Thrips; Caterpillars; Spider Mites
  • Pest Control
    Scout regularly, prune affected areas, use insect netting, introduce biological controls and apply approved low-toxicity treatments if needed.
  • Disease Types
    Downy mildew, Fusarium wilt, Damping-off, Leaf spot, Grey mould (Botrytis)
  • Disease Control
    Use airflow management, avoid overhead irrigation, source resistant seed where available, remove infected material and rotate planting areas.
Harvest
  • Days to Harvest from Seed
    45-70 days
  • Days to Harvest from Transplant
    20-35 days
  • Harvest Season
    Summer to autumn; protected year-round possible
  • Harvest Notes
    Harvest tips regularly before flowering to encourage bushiness; pinch flowers to prolong leaf production.
Nutrition
  • Edible Parts
    Leaves; Flowers
  • Reference Food State
    Fresh leaves
  • Serving Size
    100 g
  • Nutrition Basis
    Per 100g raw edible portion
Calories (kcal)
23 kcal
Calories (kj)
96 kj
Total Carbohydrates
2.65 g
Protein
3.15 g
Total Fat
0.64 g
Dietary Fibre
1.6 g
Starch
0 g
Total Sugars
0.3 g
Monounsaturated Fat
0.088 g
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
0.316 g
Omega-6 Fatty Acids
0.073 g
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.389 g
Saturated Fat
0.041 g
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Trans Fat
0 g
Calcium
177 mg
Chromium
0 mcg
Copper
0.385 mg
Iron
3.17 mg
Iodine
0 mcg
Magnesium
64 mg
Manganese
1.148 mg
Molybdenum
0 mcg
Phosphorus
56 mg
Potassium
295 mg
Selenium
0.3 mcg
Sodium
4 mg
Zinc
0.81 mg
Vitamin A
264 mcg RE
Thiamin (Vitamin B1)
0.034 mg
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
0.076 mg
Niacin (Vitamin B3)
0.902 mg NE
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
0.209 mg
Vitamin B6
0.155 mg
Biotin (Vitamin B7)
0 mcg
Folate (Vitamin B9)
68 mcg
Vitamin B12
0 mcg
Vitamin C
18 mg
Vitamin D
0 mcg
Vitamin E
0.8 mg alpha-tocopherol
Vitamin K
414.8 mcg

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