Bulk: Purple Ruffles Basil Seeds

Seattle, WA

Seeds germinated well, but the seedlings were weak. I started the seeds inside in a greenhouse but only one out of four seedlings survived long enough to get planted outside. It’s currently July and the plant is doing ok, but is underperforming compared to my sweet basil plants. It has a beautiful deep purple color but “hint of licorice” certainly doesn’t set the right expectation. I hate licorice and this plant smells overwhelmingly of it, I haven’t tasted it yet and I’m hesitant to try based on that smell alone.

The seeds were the free 50-seed packet SeedsnSuch were giving with orders in December 2024.
Germination was great. Very easy to grow. The smell is the best of any basil I have grown and just as described.

I received this seed as a bonus with the 2025 Early Bird offer back in Dec 2024. I started indoors, transplanted outside. The plants have a strong anise/licorice flavor and are great in things like Thai dishes, however my plants are green with serrated edged leaves that have minimal purple coloration and no ruffles. I was looking forward to seeing this purple basil stand out in the garden for its color, but these seed seem to not be true to the variety.