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Botanical Interests

Cardinal Basil Seeds

Cardinal Basil Seeds

Regular price $2.99
Sale price $2.99 Regular price
~0.57 g (~30 seeds)
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Product Details

Cardinal's' richly colored blooms and robust flavor make it a wonderful dual-purpose basil. With its strong aroma, a little goes a long way in the kitchen. But it's also a striking accent in a mixed container, adding a unique shape, color, and fragrance. Bring its beauty indoors as a fragrant cut flower.

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  • Variety Info
  • Sowing Info

Variety Info

Family: Laminaceae

Type: Basil (Learn more)

Native: Probably Africa, but in cultivation for so long that it cannot be verified.

Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual

Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Plant Dimensions: About 24" tall and 20" wide.

Variety Info: Denser flowerheads, more lush foliage, and stronger fragrance than other basils.

Attributes: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flower, Edible Flower, Good for Containers, Frost Sensitive

Sowing Info

When to Sow Outside: 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F, ideally 65°–85°F. Successive Sowings: We recommend 3 or 4 successive sowings every 3 weeks after initial sowing.

When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting outside. Transplant when your nighttime temperatures are above 50°F.

Days to Emerge: 5–10 Days

Seed Depth: ¼"

Seed Spacing: A group of 2 seeds every 12"

Thinning: When 2" tall, thin to 1 every 12"

4.4
Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars
Based on 19 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 14 Total 4 star reviews: 2 Total 3 star reviews: 1 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 2
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19 reviews
  • Brittney M.
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Aug 25, 2024
    5 Stars

    This year I grew a couple different varieties of Basil all from Botanical Interest. I had success with all the varieties but I wanted to share my experience with their cardinal basil. It became my favorite not only because of its beautiful burst of color but because of the slightly more compact nature of it verses all the other ones that ended up over grown taking over my beds even after trimming them multiple times. I will be planting this variety next year throughout all my beds. 10/10 Recommend 😊

  • Diane J.
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    Jan 21, 2024
    4 Stars

    This basil plant was started indoors, zone 8a. We did make pesto from the basil and also enjoyed it fresh. I was hopeful for larger blooms, however by the end of August we soon needed the real-estate for carrots.

    Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate
    EG Profile picture for Epic Gardening
    Epic Gardening
    Jan 21, 2024

    Hey Diane, Thank you for sharing our thoughts, and your photos, on the Cardinal Basil Seeds. Your basil plant is massive and it's great to hear you enjoyed making pesto with it. I'm sure it was delicious! Keep on growing 🌻️

  • Jessica K.
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Aug 16, 2023
    5 Stars

    I planted this in containers and they are doing really well. The red flower tops are really pretty, but they are heavy and makes the stalk bend a little and started to shade out some of my smaller pepper plants. The leaves are a nice dark green and when it gets bigger the stems turn to a dark red/purple. The basil smells and tastes like sweet black liquorish to me, i will not be using this for culinary purposes but to add beauty going forward.

  • JAMES M.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 1 out of 5 stars
    Aug 20, 2024
    1 Star

    No

    Which best describes you as a gardener? Expert
  • Jo Anne F.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Aug 9, 2024
    5 Stars

    I am a fan of these seeds. Great for my kitchen garden.🪴

    Which best describes you as a gardener? Professional