How to Grow Burgundy Ruffles Basil
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Burgundy Ruffles Basil
Ocimum basilicum 'Burgundy Ruffles'
herbBurgundy Ruffles is an ornamental basil variety with deeply frilled, ruffled burgundy-purple leaves that add visual interest to both kitchen gardens and ornamental landscapes. This compact, bushy plant produces small purple flowers and offers a mild basil flavor suitable for culinary use. It combines aesthetic appeal with practical herbal applications.
When should you plant Burgundy Ruffles Basil in your zone?
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Example Burgundy Ruffles Basil timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Burgundy Ruffles Basil
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Burgundy Ruffles Basil
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Burgundy Ruffles Basil dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 10-11; grown as an annual in cooler zones (zones 3-9)
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings with cotyledons emerge, developing first true leaves within 1-2 weeks. Plants are delicate and pale green.
Keep soil warm (70-75°F), maintain consistent moisture, provide bright indirect light. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple stems and leaves become increasingly ruffled and burgundy in color. Foliage becomes bushy and dense.
Pinch growing tips regularly to encourage branching. Ensure full sun exposure for best purple coloration. Maintain warm temperatures above 60°F.
Establishment
2-3 weeksMature plant reaches full size with deeply frilled burgundy leaves and recognizable bushy form. Ready for regular harvesting.
Begin harvesting leaves from top to promote branching. Continue pinching flower buds if you want to extend leaf production.
Flowering
4-8 weeksSmall purple or lavender flowers appear on terminal spikes. Plant energy shifts toward seed production.
Deadhead flowers to extend leaf production, or allow flowering for ornamental value and pollinator attraction. Flowers are edible.
Seed Development & Decline
Until frost or end of seasonPlant produces seed pods. Leaf quality often declines as plant matures, especially in cool weather or if frosted.
Collect seeds if desired before frost. Pull plant at end of season in cooler zones or cut back severely in warm zones for regrowth.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Handpick in early morning, use neem oil spray, apply kaolin clay, or use pheromone traps nearby
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Increase humidity with misting, spray with water forcefully, use insecticidal soap or neem oil, ensure good air circulation
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, remove infested leaves, improve air circulation
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Spray with water jet, apply insecticidal soap, use neem oil, encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
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Remove by hand, create barriers with copper tape or diatomaceous earth, use beer traps, encourage ground beetles
Uses
Mild Basil Flavoring
CulinaryBurgundy Ruffles basil provides a gentle, slightly sweet basil flavor for pesto, salads, pasta dishes, and herbal teas. While less robust than green basil varieties, it offers culinary versatility with milder undertones. [source]
Garden & Container Ornament
OrnamentalThe deeply ruffled burgundy-purple foliage and compact growth habit make this basil attractive for ornamental garden beds, mixed containers, and edible landscape designs. Purple flowers add additional visual interest. [source]
Herbal Tea & Wellness
MedicinalBasil leaves can be dried or used fresh to make herbal teas traditionally associated with digestive support and calming properties. The antioxidant compounds in basil leaves offer potential wellness benefits. [source]
Dried Flower & Herb Arrangements
CraftBurgundy Ruffles can be air-dried for use in floral arrangements, wreaths, and craft projects. The colored foliage and purple flowers retain much of their appearance when dried. [source]
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeThe purple flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to the garden. Basil flowers support beneficial insects while providing ornamental value. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin pinching leaves when plant has 6-8 leaves on main stem (usually 4-6 weeks from planting). Pinch off top 0.5 inches of stem with 2-4 leaves attached. Harvest regularly to encourage bushiness and prevent early flowering. Best flavor in morning after dew dries. Can harvest entire stems from outside of plant. For maximum yield, harvest before flowers open. In cooler climates, bring indoors before first frost or use as annual.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Burgundy Ruffles basil was developed as an ornamental variety, selected specifically for its deeply frilled leaf margins and burgundy coloration, making it one of the most visually distinctive basil cultivars available.
- 🌱 The purple coloring in basil leaves comes from anthocyanin pigments—the same compounds responsible for color in blueberries and red wine—which act as powerful antioxidants.
- 🌱 Basil is thermophilic (heat-loving) and will actually wilt or blacken if exposed to temperatures below 50°F, which is why it must be treated as an annual in most of North America and brought indoors before the first frost.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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