Purple Basil Seeds (Italian)

Purple basil is basil's more decorative cousin - same kitchen usefulness for pestos, salads, and garnish, but with deep purple-tinged leaves that also make it one of the better-looking herbs to keep on a balcony rail. It's an easy first herb if you're still figuring out what grows well in your light conditions, and a small patch goes a long way once you start using it regularly in the kitchen. Seeds go in about 0.5 cm deep, and germination is quick at 5-10 days as long as the soil stays lightly moist rather than soggy. Unlike some of the heavier vegetables in a container garden, basil is happy with 4-6 hours of sun a day, so it works even on balconies that don't get full sun the entire day. Space plants 20-25 cm apart once they're established, and you can start harvesting leaves from around 45-60 days - regular light picking actually keeps the plant bushier instead of letting it go leggy, rather than tall and sparse.