Basil of the «Philosoph» variety is an early-ripening annual aromatic vegetable crop intended for growing both in open ground and protected soil, as well as in a flow-through culture. The plant is compact, semi-erect, with a height of 20 to 30 cm, featuring a leaf rosette of medium size in an oval shape. The leaves have a smooth or wrinkled surface, a serrated or incised edge, and a characteristic purple-burgundy coloration, which gives the plant a decorative effect and highlights the green color of neighboring crops in the beds. Flowers are small, with a purple hue, and flowering occurs from June to August.
The variety is distinguished by a strong clove aroma and a pepper-clove flavor, making it in demand in home cooking. Leaves and young shoots are rich in essential oils and phytoncides, which is why they are used fresh as a flavoring addition to salads, for pickling, salting, and flavoring during canning. Decoctions from fresh or dried leaves possess antiseptic properties and are used for gargling for sore throats.
Growing basil «Philosoph» is recommended via seedlings, sowing of which is carried out in late March to early April at a temperature of +20+25°C. Seedlings are planted after the threat of frost with row spacing of 60 cm and a distance within a row of 15-20 cm. For planting, nutritious, loose, and well-drained soils are suitable. The plant is demanding for moisture, especially after transplanting, but does not tolerate waterlogging. Care includes loosening, weeding, watering, and fertilizing. Regular trimming of leaves stimulates the growth of new shoots, which allows harvesting throughout the life cycle. The yield of greens is about 1.0 kg per square meter. It is recommended to plant basil next to tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and zucchini to improve their growth and protection.
