How to Grow Purple Basil 'Red Rubin'
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Purple Basil 'Red Rubin'
Ocimum basilicum 'Red Rubin'
herbRed Rubin is a striking ornamental basil variety with deep purple foliage and a robust, peppery flavor profile. Unlike green basil varieties, its dark leaves add visual appeal to gardens and culinary dishes. It grows as a bushy annual that performs well in warm climates and containers.
When should you plant Purple Basil 'Red Rubin' in your zone?
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Example Purple Basil 'Red Rubin' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Purple Basil 'Red Rubin'
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 Purple Basil 'Red Rubin'
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Purple Basil 'Red Rubin' dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-11 as an annual; perennial in zones 10-11
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Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksSeeds sprout in 5-10 days at 70-75°F. Seedlings develop oval cotyledons, then true leaves with the characteristic purple hue emerge.
Keep soil moist but not soggy. Provide 12-14 hours of bright light daily. Maintain warmth; do not expose to temperatures below 50°F.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops bushy form with multiple stems and increasingly dark purple leaves. Nodes become more pronounced; growth accelerates.
Pinch off top 1-2 inches when plant reaches 6 inches tall to encourage bushier growth. Continue regular watering. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
Flowering Onset
Begins around week 6-7 after transplantPurple-pink flower spikes begin forming at stem tips. Lower leaves may yellow slightly as plant energy shifts upward.
Pinch off flower buds to extend leaf harvest and maintain foliage quality. If you allow flowering, remove spent flowers to encourage continued bloom.
Full Flowering & Maturity
4-8 weeks (can be extended by deadheading)Delicate purple-pink flowers bloom along terminal spikes. Foliage flavor becomes more concentrated and peppery.
Harvest leaves frequently to promote branching and delay senescence. Deadhead spent flowers unless you want seeds. Reduce fertilizer slightly.
Seed Production & Decline
Until frost or end of seasonFlowers set seed in small oval capsules. Plant growth slows; leaves may show stress or discoloration in cool fall weather.
Allow some flowers to mature if collecting seed. In cool zones, harvest remaining leaf material before frost. Plant will decline after first freeze.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick early morning or evening. Use row covers on young plants. Apply neem oil or spinosad for heavy infestations.
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Increase humidity and mist foliage regularly. Spray with water to dislodge. Use neem oil or miticide if severe.
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Use yellow sticky traps. Spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Spray with strong water stream. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage beneficial predators like ladybugs.
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and
Remove by hand at dusk. Create beer traps or copper barriers. Use diatomaceous earth around base.
Uses
Pesto & pasta sauces
CulinaryRed Rubin's peppery, slightly anise-like flavor works beautifully in pesto, pasta dishes, and cooked sauces. The deep purple color creates visually striking pesto. [source]
Salads & garnish
CulinaryFresh leaves add ornamental appeal and complex flavor to green salads, caprese salad, and as an edible garnish for soups and plates. [source]
Herbal tea & digestive aid
MedicinalPurple basil leaves can be steeped into tea to support digestion and provide antioxidant benefits. Traditionally used in herbal medicine for inflammation. [source]
Natural pest deterrent
HouseholdBasil's aromatic volatile oils repel many garden pests and insects when planted near vegetables. Can be dried and used indoors for fragrance. [source]
Ornamental container & flower arrangement
CraftThe striking deep purple foliage and delicate flower spikes make Red Rubin an attractive specimen for decorative pots on patios and in floral arrangements. [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 reaches 6-8 inches tall by pinching off top 2-3 inches. Harvest frequently (every 1-2 weeks) to maintain bushiness and prevent flowering. Pinch from the top down, removing leaves just above a leaf node to encourage branching. Morning harvest (after dew dries) yields the strongest flavor. Continue harvesting until frost. For dried basil, harvest entire stems just as flowers begin to open, tie in bundles, and hang dry in a warm, airy location.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Red Rubin basil contains higher levels of anthocyanins (purple pigments) than green basil varieties, giving it increased antioxidant properties and a more complex peppery flavor profile.
- 🌱 In Victorian gardens, purple basil was grown primarily for ornamental purposes, though it has gained culinary popularity in modern cuisine for its striking appearance and bold taste.
- 🌱 Red Rubin basil was developed in Italy and remains a favorite in Mediterranean cooking, particularly in southern Italian and Sicilian dishes.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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