What are the sun requirements for Ocimum basilicum 'Red Rubin'?

Ocimum basilicum 'Red Rubin' requires Full Sun.

How much water does Ocimum basilicum 'Red Rubin' need?

Ocimum basilicum 'Red Rubin' has Medium water needs.

Ocimum basilicum 'Red Rubin'

Red Rubin Basil

Open-pollinated cultivar (improved selection of 'Dark Opal'); the species O. basilicum is native to tropical regions of central Africa and southeast Asia

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitMounding

FoliageDeciduous

Height12-18 inches (30-45 cm)

Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)

Maturity1 years

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Fragrant (moderate)Container Friendly

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Ocimum basilicum 'Red Rubin' is Red Rubin basil, an annual herb growing 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall and 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) wide in a compact mounding habit. Deep burgundy to dark purple oval leaves 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) with serrated margins — larger leaves than 'Dark Opal.' Pink to light purple tubular flowers in terminal spikes — pinch to extend leaf production. Square stems with purple tinting. In the mint family (Lamiaceae). An improved selection of O. basilicum 'Dark Opal' with more uniform purple color — less than 5% green reversion (compared to 20% in Dark Opal). Open-pollinated — seed can be saved. The clove-like aroma is released when leaves are bruised. Tender annual — killed by first frost, blackens below 50°F (10°C). Susceptible to Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. basilicum) and downy mildew (Peronospora belbahrii). Direct-sow after last frost or start indoors 6 weeks early. Non-toxic (edible herb). Deer-resistant. Full sun (6+ hours). Growth rate is fast.

Native Range

Open-pollinated cultivar — improved selection of O. basilicum 'Dark Opal'. The species O. basilicum is native to tropical regions of central Africa and southeast Asia.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens, herb gardens, and containers of at least 2 gallons (8 L). Edible herb — more uniform purple than Dark Opal. Compact mounding habit. Open-pollinated. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Tender annual.

How to Identify

Identified by deep burgundy to dark purple oval leaves on square stems in a compact mound. Pink to light purple flowers. Distinguished from Dark Opal by the more uniform purple color (less than 5% reversion vs. 20%) and the broader mounding habit. In Lamiaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 1'6"

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer

Summer (August-September). Pink to light purple tubular flowers in terminal spikes. Pinch flower spikes — flowering makes leaves bitter. Self-pollinating.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pink to light purple, tubular, in terminal spikes — pinch to extend leaf production

Foliage Description

Deep burgundy to dark purple, oval, 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) long with serrated margins; larger leaves than Dark Opal; square stems with purple tinting

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

60-75 days from seed

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Well-drained soil pH 6.0-7.0. Tender annual — killed by first frost, blackens below 50 degrees F (10 degrees C). Pinch flower spikes. Less than 5% green reversion. Susceptible to Fusarium wilt and downy mildew. Open-pollinated. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant.

Pruning

Pinch flower spikes as soon as they appear. Harvest by cutting stems above a leaf node to encourage branching. Remove any green-reverting shoots. Remove yellowed or diseased leaves.

Pruning Schedule

summerfall