How to grow red Rubin basil at home

Quick summary:

• Height 50 cm, Spread 30 cm
• Loves warm, sunny conditions
• Days from seed to harvest : 28 days

To grow it you will need:

• 1 packet Red Rubin basil seeds
• 1 Seed tray (optional)
• 1 Heating mat (optional)

Method 

The first step is to get the basil seeds.

1. You can order them online from Amazon or some garden centres will sell them.

The next stage is to put the seeds in the soil.

1. Fill a plant pot (or a few pots ) with soil, then add the seeds and sprinkle a bit of soil on top.
2. Quick tip – If you put the seeds into a bowl of water for 30 minutes to 1 hour they will start growing quicker then simply putting them in soil.
3. Quick tip – Instead of using plants pots start the seeds using a seed tray with a lid. The advantage of using a lid is that it will retain the moisture helping your plants grow. Simply put a bit of soil in the tray, spoon in the seeds and cover with a bit of soil.

Then simply put the pot or tray somewhere safe and leave them to sprout.

1. The seeds will germinate in 5 to 15 days.
2. Quick tip – Use a heat mat. All you do is put the tray on the mat and the extra heat will significantly speed up how fast your seeds will grow.
3. For more info & why it works so well have a look at our article on a seed starter mat

Help them grow

1. When they’ve grown thin the seedlings or transplant leaving 30 cm between plants, Then simple put them somewhere warm and sunny and wait for them to grow.
2. One option (depending on the time of year or where you live) is to use an indoor grow light.
3. For example the example in the picture it was sown on 7 July, Transferred into a pot on 14 July – the picture was taken 28 July.And will probably be ready for 1st harvest in about 1 week i.e. 4 weeks from sowing to harvest.

Notes

It is ideally suited for planting outside in a pot on a balcony or terrace or inside on a sunny windowsill (or using lighting).

Essentially it is an improved variety of Dark Opal Basil (which was originally developed by John Scarchuk and Joseph Lent at the University of Connecticut^[2] in the 1950s)

2. What is Red Rubin basil used for

3. Example Red Rubin Basil Recipes

Typical recipes:

• Red Basil Pesto
• Red Basil Armenian Salad
• Purple Basil Mojito (cocktail)

More information

The type of basil you use will differ depending on the flavour you need, as well as recipe requirements.

We will be adding more recipes over time – for example how to make cocktails, use it in pasta, etc. In addition there is more info at the example basil recipes page 

• Full details on Amazon
• How to grow basil indoors