Purple Ruffles Basil grows 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) tall. It has large ruffled purple or maroon shiny leaves with fringed edges, and blossoms with small pinkish-purple flowers.
Occasionally you’ll see a bit of green on a leaf here or there.
The leaves have a faint scent of cloves, and a very mild flavour. In fact, the flavour is so mild that some think it’s not enough flavour to bother using as an herb, when there are other basils to be had. But, it does make a colourful garnish, and the flowers are edible. In fact, the flowers must be pinched off or it will die back.
When harvesting the Purple Ruffles Basil, cut about ¼ of the way down from the top stopping just above a pair of leaves.
Purple Ruffles Basil can be grown as an ornamental about 85 days from seed.