How to Grow Red Rubin Basil
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Red Rubin Basil
Ocimum basilicum 'Red Rubin'
herbRed Rubin is a decorative culinary basil variety with deep purple-red foliage and a rich, slightly spicy flavor profile. It's a tender annual that combines ornamental beauty with culinary versatility, making it equally at home in flower gardens as in herb beds. The plant grows 18-24 inches tall and produces small purple flowers that are also edible.
When should you plant Red Rubin Basil in your zone?
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Example Red Rubin Basil timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Red Rubin 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 Red Rubin Basil
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Red Rubin Basil dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Grows as an annual in zones 2-11; perennial only in zones 10-11
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Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall emerged plants with cotyledons and first true leaves appearing; foliage is light purple-green.
Maintain warm soil (70-75°F), keep moist but not soggy. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once true leaves emerge.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple stems and increasingly dark purple foliage. Leaves grow larger and fuller. Deep red-purple color develops with sufficient light and warmth.
Pinch off the top growing tip when plant reaches 6 inches tall to encourage bushiness. Remove any flower buds to redirect energy to leaf production. Water consistently and feed every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer.
Flowering
4-8 weeks (continuous if not removed)Purple flower spikes emerge from branch tips. Flowers are small, delicate, and purple-tinged. Plant continues producing foliage but growth slows.
Pinch off flower buds if you want to prioritize leaf production and tenderness. Allow some flowers to develop for ornamental interest and pollinator attraction. Flowers are edible and flavorful.
Peak Harvest
4-6 weeksPlant is fully mature, bushy, with abundant harvestable leaves and optional flowers. Foliage remains tender and flavorful.
Harvest regularly to maintain bushiness and prevent excessive flowering. Pinch leaves from the top down rather than stripping lower stems. Continue watering and feeding for continued production.
Decline
Until frost or plant exhaustionPlant begins to slow growth as temperatures cool (if fall) or conditions stress the plant. Leaves may become tougher and flavor more bitter.
In cooler climates, frost will kill the plant. Harvest heavily before the first frost. In warm zones, replant in late summer for fall-winter harvest.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick early morning; use neem oil spray; plant repellent herbs like garlic and chives nearby
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Increase humidity by misting; spray with water to dislodge; use miticide or neem oil if severe
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Yellow sticky traps; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage parasitic wasps
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Remove affected leaves; use spinosad spray; improve air circulation
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Space plants for airflow; avoid overhead watering; spray with sulfur or baking soda solution
Uses
Gourmet Cooking & Garnish
CulinaryRed Rubin basil adds visual appeal and distinctive flavor to Italian dishes, pasta, pesto, cocktails, and salads. The leaves and purple flowers are both edible and add dramatic color to plated dishes. [source]
Purple Basil Pesto
CulinaryCreates a beautiful dark purple-hued pesto with a richer, slightly spicier flavor than green basil varieties. Popular in contemporary cuisine for both flavor and visual impact. [source]
Herbal Infusion & Wellness
MedicinalBasil contains linalool and other volatile oils with potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Used in herbal teas and traditional medicine to support digestion and reduce inflammation. [source]
Ornamental Garden & Cut Flowers
HouseholdThe deep purple foliage and delicate flowers make Red Rubin an attractive addition to ornamental gardens, containers, and flower arrangements. Adds exotic color contrast to mixed plantings. [source]
Drying & Crafts
CraftLeaves dry beautifully and retain their purple color, making them useful for dried herbal arrangements, wreaths, and craft projects. Dried flowers add interest to potpourri. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Pinch or cut leaves from the top of the plant, removing stem tips with 4-6 leaves at a time. Begin harvesting when plant reaches 6 inches tall. Harvest regularly (every 3-5 days) to encourage bushiness. Best picked in early morning after dew dries. Use fresh immediately or dry on screens in a warm location. Harvest before first frost in cold climates.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Red Rubin basil was developed in the 1990s and is one of the few basil varieties bred as much for ornamental appeal as culinary use, winning a Fleuroselect Gold Medal.
- 🌱 The purple color comes from anthocyanin pigments, the same compounds responsible for the color in blueberries and red wine, and research suggests these may have antioxidant benefits.
- 🌱 Unlike some purely ornamental purple basils, Red Rubin maintains excellent flavor and is fully edible—it's not just pretty, it's delicious.
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