Camphor Basil

Camphor basil or Kilimanjaro Basil (Ocimum kilimandscharicum) is a heat-hardy, perennial basil. It has a rich flavor and aroma, and attracts pollinators. Unlike many annual basils, this plant will grow incredibly tall and fast. It is an anti-inflammatory herb that can be used in food or prepared as tea. Kilimanjaro Basil grows long flowers spikes with small white to pale pink flowers and oval, pubescent leaves with a strong camphor fragrance.  African Blue basil, a popular ornamental, which is a hybrid between O. kilimandscharicum and O. basilicum ‘Dark Opal’, is extremely attractive to bees, especially non-native honey bees, and native bees like green sweat bees, leaf-cutter bees, and miner bees.

The plant loves rich, well drained soil in an always sunny spot.