How To Grow Red Rubin Basil: A Beginner’s Guide

Struggling to add a pop of color and flavor to your indoor garden? Red Rubin basil, with its rich purple leaves, is a stunning and aromatic herb that’s perfect for both novice and seasoned gardeners.

This guide will provide you with simple steps to cultivate a lush basin of this vibrant variety right in your own home. Get ready to transform your culinary creations and delight your senses – let’s grow some Red Rubin Basil!

Key Takeaways

• Red Rubin Basil is a colorful herb with deep purple leaves and a spicy flavor, good for adding to various dishes.
• To grow Red Rubin Basil, start from seeds in warm, sunny spots and keep the soil moist. Harvest when plants are six inches tall for the best flavor.
• After harvesting, store basil by hanging it to dry or keeping it in an air – tight container in the fridge or pantry for use over time.

What is Red Rubin Basil?

Dive into the world of Red Rubin Basil, a striking variety with its deep purple leaves and robust flavor. Perfect for adding a pop of color to your herb garden and zest to your culinary creations!

Origins and characteristics of Red Rubin Basil

Red Rubin basil stands out in the herb world. It’s a type of purple basil with deep red and burgundy leaves. This plant reaches up to 18-20 inches tall and makes your garden look great with its rich color.

Not just pretty, it also has a sweet aroma that will spice up your place.

This annual herb grows white and purple flowers in the summer. Red Rubin is more even than Opal Basil but keeps that traditional flavor we all love. Its lavender flowers are edible too – a fun bonus for your dishes! Indoor gardeners can enjoy these vibrant plants as they bring life to any space.

Red Rubin Basil originated from a European company’s modification of the Dark Opal strain. More precisely, it was developed in Denmark in 1992. It was introduced to North American horticulturists in 1993 and has since gained significant popularity as a purple or red basil variant, making it an excellent choice for those looking to enhance their culinary gardens.

Flavor and culinary uses

Red Rubin basil brings a warm, spicy kick to your food. It’s just right for stirring into pasta or whipping up pesto. Picture the deep purple-red leaves adding both taste and color to your plate.

Imagine sprinkling fresh herbs over your dinner that you grew yourself!

This basil is like its green cousin but packs a bit more punch. Cooks love it because it’s pretty and tasty. You can use those large, striking leaves in salads or as garnishes too.

Whether you’re an expert chef or trying new flavors, Red Rubin basil makes meals exciting with its bold look and flavor.

How to Grow Red Rubin Basil? (Step-by-Step Guide)

Growing Red Rubin Basil is fun and easy. Follow these steps to get the most out of your indoor garden.

1. Get your supplies together. You’ll need seeds, a sterile potting mix, pots, and a warm spot with plenty of light.
2. Fill your pots. Use new potting soil to fill 6-inch pots for one seedling or use 12-inch pots for three.
3. Plant the seeds. Sprinkle basil seed over the soil and cover them lightly with more soil.
4. Water well. Make sure the soil is moist – not too wet, not too dry.
5. Set the stage for growing. Place the pots in a full sun spot where it’s warm.
6. Wait for germination. In 7 to 14 days, you should see little plants popping up through the soil.
7. Play nurse to your plants. Keep an eye on the soil moisture and water when needed.

How To Harvest and Store Red Rubin Basil?

Ready to savor the flavor of your own Red Rubin Basil? Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty. Harvesting at the right time is key—too early and you’ll miss out on full flavor, too late and you might lose some leaves to wilting or pests.

With a few simple tips, you can ensure that vibrant basil bouquet stays fresh as long as possible in storage. Grab your shears and let’s keep those savory leaves at their prime!

When and how to harvest

Harvesting Red Rubin Basil is quite simple. Just wait until your plant is big enough and follow these steps to get fresh herbs for your kitchen.

• Look for stems that are at least six inches tall. This means they’re ready to be picked.
• Start picking leaves as early as 3 – 4 weeks after planting if the plant has grown taller than six inches.
• Choose a sunny morning to harvest. This is when the basil’s oils, which give flavor, are at their strongest.
• Use scissors or pinch with your fingers to remove the top leaves. Cut right above a leaf pair, encouraging new growth.
• Take just what you’ll use right away for cooking, unless you’re preparing a lot of basil for storage.
• Pick leaves regularly. Doing so helps your Red Rubin Basil grow more leaves.
• Always leave some leaves on each stem so the plant stays healthy and keeps growing.
• For bigger needs, cut no more than one – third of the branches at a time. This lets the basil recover quicker.

Following the correct harvesting process ensures your Red Rubin Basil thrives, offering fresh herbs whenever needed. Get in-depth insights by checking out our guide How To Harvest Basil Indoors.

Proper storage methods

Storing Red Rubin basil right keeps it fresh and tasty for a long time. Here’s how indoor gardeners can save their basil after picking it:

• Hang whole basil leaves in small bunches in a dry, airy place.

• After the leaves are all dry, put them in tight jars.

• Use portable coolers at markets to keep your Red Rubin basil cold.

• Keep basil microgreens dry for longer storage.

FAQs – How To Grow Red Rubin Basil

1. What is Red Rubin Basil?

Red Rubin Basil, known as Ocimum basilicum ‘Purpurascens’, is a type of sweet basil with deep purple leaves, used in bouquets and for adding flavor in the kitchen.

2. Where should I plant my Red Rubin Basil?

Plant it in your vegetable garden alongside companion plants like tomatoes and peppers; this smart gardener trick can help keep pests away!

3. Can I grow Red Rubin Basil if I don’t have a yard?

Absolutely! You can grow it indoors using pots near a sunny window or under a grow light—ideal for those without a lawn.

4. How do I make sure my Red Rubin Basil gets enough water?

Basil likes to stay moist but not wet, so watering deeply when the soil feels dry to touch works best—remember they’re drought-tolerant once established!

5. What are some problems to look out for when growing Red Rubin Basil?

Watch out for fusarium wilt—a plant disease—and be ready to pull any weeds that pop up because they steal nutrients and space from your basil.

6. When is the right time to harvest my Red Rubin Basil?

You can start picking leaves once your plant looks bushy, usually around 6-8 weeks after planting; pinch off tops regularly to encourage fullness!

George Brown

I’m George Brown, a keen gardener, passionate about helping beginners grow fresh herbs and plants. My guidance focuses on the essentials of plant growth and the pleasure of cultivating greenery. In my blog posts, I share practical tips on how anyone can transform their space into a thriving area for plants and herbs.