Basil: Red Rubin

Description

Red Rubin is a compact red basil plant with delightfully dramatic red-purple leaves which have a spicy aroma. It finishes the season by making pretty pink flowers which look great in salads, and flower arrangements. Use the leaves sparingly in dishes as this variety is more pungent than other basil types. It’s wonderful to flavour vinegar.

The seed is small so sow carefully in trays or in situ. Let the sun do its thing and bring those fragrant and pretty leaves to life. Pinch out new leaves to make the plant bushy.

Eventually the plants will produce flowers that the bees love – but at the same time the leaves may become less flavourful. To slow the inevitable, remove the flower heads and give your plants a light pruning to encourage the plant to produce new growth for you to enjoy.

As the season comes to an end, the flowers will take over, and this is an opportunity for you to let the plants go to seed. Collect and save for next year. And take some cuttings for a pot on a sunny sill through winter.

Did you know? Although we associate basil with Mediterranean cuisine the plant actually originated in India and was taken to Italy via the spice routes many centuries ago.