- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
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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"
Your hardiness zone is
- LeslieCA, United StatesRated 5 out of 5 stars10/8/25Absolutely stunning
Started these (late) indoors then moved them out to my raised beds. They got smothered by Sun Gold tomatoes. When the heat slowed the tomatoes down, these guys took off, huge bloom after huge bloom. I didn't cut the flowers because in late summer, my beds aren't looking their best and this basil is the star.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? Raised BedBIBotanical Interests10/10/25Hey Leslie,
Thank you so much for this fantastic 5-star review! "Absolutely stunning" is exactly what we love to hear about Cardinal Basil Seeds - and we're absolutely thrilled that these beautiful plants became the true stars of your late summer garden!
We absolutely love your story about how these resilient beauties waited their turn under those vigorous Sun Gold tomatoes and then absolutely took off when conditions were perfect! There's something so wonderful about how Cardinal Basil knows exactly when to shine - those "huge bloom after huge bloom" displays are exactly the kind of spectacular performance that makes this variety such a garden showstopper.
Your decision to let the flowers stay for that stunning visual impact is so smart, especially when you need something gorgeous to carry your beds through the late season. Cardinal Basil really does have that perfect combination of incredible flower power and that ability to be the star performer when other plants are starting to wind down. The fact that they're absolutely dominating your garden display right when you need it most just shows what amazing timing and garden presence these plants have!
Your experience will be so inspiring for other gardeners who want to discover how Cardinal Basil can become their own late-season garden star and provide that absolutely stunning floral impact when they need it most!
Keep on growing 🌻️
- Brittney M.Rated 5 out of 5 stars8/25/245 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 😊
- JAMES M.Verified BuyerRated 1 out of 5 stars8/20/241 Star
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Which best describes you as a gardener? Expert - Jo Anne F.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars8/9/245 Stars
I am a fan of these seeds. Great for my kitchen garden.🪴
Which best describes you as a gardener? Professional - Audra E.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars8/8/245 Stars
Grows beautifully all season. Adore using the flowers in arrangements. I have grown it three years in a row.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate