How to Grow Double Purple Basil
Double Purple Basil
Ocimum basilicum 'Double Purple'
herbDouble Purple Basil is an ornamental and culinary basil variety featuring deep purple foliage and purple flowers that bloom abundantly throughout the season. This stunning herb offers both aesthetic appeal and mild basil flavor with subtle peppery notes, making it excellent for gardens, containers, and kitchen use.
When should you plant Double Purple Basil in your zone?
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Example Double Purple Basil timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Double Purple 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 Double Purple Basil
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Double Purple Basil dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9-11; can be grown as annual in cooler zones 3-8
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Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksSeeds sprout within 5-10 days revealing cotyledons (seed leaves). First true leaves appear thin and small, beginning to show purple coloration.
Keep soil warm (70-75°F) and consistently moist. Provide bright light once sprouted. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple sets of true leaves with increasingly darker purple coloration. Growth becomes bushy as side shoots develop. Foliage becomes more substantial and full.
Pinch off flower buds to encourage leaf development. Maintain consistent watering and provide full sun. Begin light fertilizing every 2 weeks with balanced fertilizer.
Pre-Flowering
2-3 weeksPlant reaches mature size with dense purple foliage. Flower buds begin forming at branch tips. Plant may produce more abundant new leaf growth.
Continue pinching buds if leaves are the priority; allow buds to form if you want ornamental flowers and attract pollinators.
Flowering
4-8 weeks (can bloom until frost)Beautiful purple flower spikes emerge from branch tips, creating stunning ornamental display. Flowers are small, whorled, and attract bees and butterflies. Foliage remains vibrant purple.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms and new leaf growth. Water regularly. Harvest leaves before flowering for best flavor, or enjoy flowers as garnish.
Harvest & Maintenance
Until frost or year-round in warm zonesPlant continues producing new leaves and flowers. Regular harvesting encourages bushier growth and prevents bolting. Plant remains productive through season.
Harvest leaves regularly from top to encourage branching. Remove any diseased foliage. Continue deadheading for continuous blooms. In cooler zones, treat as annual until frost.
Common Pests
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Hand-pick beetles in early morning; use neem oil spray; encourage native predators like parasitic wasps
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Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap; apply neem oil; encourage ladybugs
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use neem oil; remove heavily infested leaves
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; improve air circulation
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Plant resistant varieties; ensure excellent drainage; remove infected plants; rotate locations; sterilize tools
Uses
Garnish & Salads
CulinaryDouble Purple's striking purple foliage and flowers make it an exceptional edible garnish for soups, salads, and plated dishes. The mild basil flavor with subtle peppery notes complements Mediterranean and Asian cuisines. [source]
Herbal Infusions & Tea
CulinaryFresh or dried purple basil leaves can be steeped into aromatic herbal tea with a gentle peppery flavor. The purple coloration is due to anthocyanins, contributing antioxidant properties to beverages. [source]
Garden & Container Decoration
OrnamentalDouble Purple Basil's deep purple foliage and abundant purple flower spikes make it a stunning ornamental addition to borders, containers, and mixed plantings. It provides season-long color and attracts pollinators. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe abundant purple flowers are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making Double Purple Basil an excellent choice for supporting pollinator populations in the garden. [source]
Traditional & Culinary Medicine
MedicinalBasil has been used in traditional medicine for its potential anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. The presence of eugenol and other volatile oils gives basil its characteristic aroma and potential health benefits. [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 harvesting when plant has at least 6 true leaves by pinching off top 2-3 leaf pairs. Harvest regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering. For best flavor, harvest in morning after dew dries. Pinch from top to promote branching. Flowers are edible and make stunning garnishes; harvest when fully open.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Double Purple Basil's deep purple color comes from anthocyanins, the same powerful antioxidants found in blueberries and red wine, making it both beautiful and nutritious.
- 🌱 Basil is native to India and has been cultivated for over 5,000 years; it was considered sacred in Hindu culture and is still associated with prosperity and good fortune in many Asian cultures.
- 🌱 The name 'basil' comes from the Greek word 'basileus' meaning 'king,' earning basil the title 'King of Herbs' in many culinary traditions.
Gardening Terms
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