Purple Ruffles Basil (Ocimum basilicum 'Purple Ruffles') Organic Seeds – Frilled Purple Leaves, Culinary Herb for Herb Gardens and Ornamental Edging - is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Minimum: 50+ seeds
Deeply Frilled Purple Leaves • Sweet-Spicy Flavor • Edible Drama for Garden Borders
If Dark Opal is bold, Purple Ruffles is theatrical. The leaves curl and ripple like fabric, catching light and shadow in a way that makes every herb bed look intentional. This is basil for gardeners who love texture as much as flavor. For chefs, flower gardeners, market growers, and anyone designing an edible landscape, Purple Ruffles Basil seeds bring color, movement, and real culinary value.
I plant it along walkways and bed edges where its frilled leaves can spill slightly outward. It softens hard lines and still fills the harvest basket.
Purple Ruffles is a distinctive cultivar of Ocimum basilicum bred for its dramatically serrated, ruffled foliage. The plants grow 18 to 24 inches tall and branch well when pinched, forming full, bushy clumps.
You can expect:
• Deep burgundy to royal purple leaves
• Strongly frilled and textured edges
• Upright, vigorous growth
• Soft lavender flower spikes later in summer
In full sun, the color deepens and the texture becomes even more pronounced. It is one of the most visually striking fresh herb seeds you can grow.
Despite its ornamental appearance, Purple Ruffles delivers true sweet basil flavor with a slightly spiced finish. The leaves are tender when harvested young and carry the classic aroma that defines summer cooking.
Perfect for:
• Fresh pesto with dramatic color
• Garnishing pasta and salads
• Herb-infused vinegars
• Edible plate decoration
• Caprese salads with contrast
• Basil lemonade or cocktails
Because of the ruffled leaf shape, it holds sauces and dressings beautifully. Tear the leaves by hand to preserve flavor and appearance.
Purple Ruffles shines in:
• Herb garden borders
• Raised beds
• Container plantings
• Mixed flower beds
• Farmers market displays
The textured foliage pairs beautifully with silver herbs, green lettuces, and bright flowers. When allowed to bloom, its lavender flowers attract bees and beneficial insects, strengthening your garden ecosystem.
It is ideal for gardeners who want their edible plants to carry as much design value as ornamentals.
Purple Ruffles Basil seeds thrive in warm, sunny conditions.
Sun: Full sun for best color and leaf density
Soil: Well-drained soil rich in organic matter
Spacing: 10 to 14 inches apart
Germination: 5 to 10 days in warm soil
Ideal Temperature: 70 to 90°F
Start indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost or direct sow once soil temperatures are reliably warm. Basil struggles in cold soil, so wait for consistent warmth.
Pinch plants early at about 6 inches tall to promote branching. Continue harvesting from the top to maintain a full, bushy form. Remove flower buds if you want extended leaf production, or allow some plants to bloom for pollinators and seed saving.
Water consistently but avoid soggy soil. Even moisture encourages lush, tender leaves.
In a zone 7 garden, treat as a warm-season annual and plant after frost danger has passed.
Our Purple Ruffles Basil organic seeds are open-pollinated and non-GMO, making them perfect for gardeners who value clean growing practices and the ability to save seed year after year.
• Dramatic frilled purple foliage
• Sweet, classic basil flavor
• Beautiful edible edging plant
• Pollinator-friendly blooms
• Easy to grow in beds and containers
There is something deeply satisfying about harvesting basil that looks like it belongs in a bouquet but tastes like summer on a plate.
If you want your herb garden to turn heads and still feed your kitchen, plant Purple Ruffles Basil seeds and let texture and flavor grow side by side.
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