Basil Purple Ruffles | Ocimum basilicum | Purple Sweet Basil

Purple Ruffles is a striking sweet basil combining beautiful deep purple foliage with an aromatic basil flavour. Its large, deeply ruffled and serrated leaves make it both a delicious culinary herb and an exceptionally decorative plant for herb gardens, vegetable beds and containers.

The richly coloured leaves provide a beautiful contrast to green herbs and can be harvested throughout the warm season for fresh use.

Plant Information

• Scientific Name: Ocimum basilicum
• Common Name: Basil
• Type: Sweet Basil
• Variety: Purple Ruffles
• Life Cycle: Annual
• Leaf Colour: Deep purple
• Leaves: Large, deeply ruffled and serrated
• Plant Habit: Upright, bushy
• Height: approx. 40–60 cm
• Exposure: Full Sun
• Use: Fresh culinary use, pots, herb gardens & ornamental planting
• Best For: Salads, pasta, sauces, herb vinegar and garnishes

Beautiful Purple Leaves & Aromatic Flavour

Purple Ruffles is especially valued for its deeply ruffled, dark purple foliage. The unusual leaf shape and rich colour make it one of the most decorative basil varieties for both the garden and containers.

The aromatic leaves can be used fresh in salads, pasta, tomato dishes, sauces and herb vinegars, while their intense purple colour makes them particularly attractive as a garnish.

Sowing & Growing

Sow indoors for an early start or direct sow outdoors once the weather and soil are warm and all risk of frost has passed.

• Sowing: Sow in a fine, moist seed-starting mix and cover the seeds lightly.
• Germination temperature: Ideally around 20–23°C.
• Moisture: Keep evenly moist but not waterlogged during germination.
• After germination: Place seedlings in a bright, warm position.
• Transplanting: Plant outdoors after all risk of frost has passed.
• Position: Full sun.
• Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil with regular moisture.

Purple Ruffles also grows beautifully in pots and containers. Plenty of sunlight helps plants develop their characteristic rich purple foliage.

Once established, regularly pinch or harvest the growing tips just above a pair of leaves to encourage branching and produce a fuller, bushier plant with plenty of fresh leaves.

Why Choose Purple Ruffles Basil?

• Beautiful deep purple foliage
• Large, strongly ruffled leaves
• Aromatic sweet basil flavour
• Both edible and highly decorative
• Excellent for fresh salads, pasta and sauces
• Beautiful as a colourful garnish
• Ideal for pots and containers
• Attractive addition to herb and vegetable gardens
• Regular harvesting encourages bushier growth
• Provides fresh aromatic leaves throughout summer

Purple Ruffles is an excellent choice when you want basil to be both delicious and beautiful. Its richly coloured, dramatically ruffled leaves bring ornamental value to the garden while providing a continual supply of aromatic fresh basil for summer cooking.