Basil 'Red Rubin' Seeds

'Red Rubin' is a purple basil that stays purple, with large, glossy leaves in a deep reddish plum from stem to tip. An improved form of 'Dark Opal' with bigger leaves and fewer green patches, it has the clove-sweet flavour of classic basil with a stronger edge. Use it in tomato salads, a striking pesto or to garnish drinks. Ocimum basilicum 'Red Rubin' is compact enough for a sunny windowsill or patio pot.

Sowing and growing

• Sow indoors March to May on a warm windowsill or in a propagator at about 20°C
• Move outside in June once nights stay warm, or keep indoors all summer
• Sow thinly and cover with about 0.5 cm of fine compost
• Germination takes 5 to 14 days
• Full sun in a warm, sheltered spot, in free-draining compost
• Grows to about 40 cm tall and 20 cm wide
• Pick leaves June to September, from six to eight weeks after sowing; pinch out tips to keep it bushy
• Tender annual, killed by frost

What you receive: a packet of about 120 seeds from Piccolo Seeds, with growing instructions on the back.

Browse more herbs in our seed range, and pick up trays and modules from our propagation supplies.