Ararat

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Ararat to a garden.

Sink your senses into Ararat Purple Basil’s velvety, wine-dark leaves that release a rich, sweet-anise fragrance the moment you brush past them.

The foliage is tender and lush with a softly ruffled texture, forming a compact, upright plant that’s as beautiful as it is aromatic. Grow Ararat for bold purple color and fragrant leaves that shine in fresh garnishes, vibrant sauces, and fragrant finishing touches—ideal for gardeners who want their herb bed to look as striking as it smells.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

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Ararat Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Apr 20th	Jul 27th	Sep 25th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 13th	Jul 20th	Sep 18th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	Jul 14th	Sep 12th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	Jul 8th	Sep 6th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	Jul 3rd	Sep 1st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	Jun 29th	Aug 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	Jun 26th	Aug 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Jun 20th	Aug 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Jun 15th	Aug 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	Jun 5th	Aug 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	May 27th	Jul 26th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	May 18th	Jul 17th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	May 1st	Jun 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Apr 6th	Jun 5th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Ararat Purple Basil hits with a sweet, anise-forward perfume and a soft, pliant leaf that stays pretty even when you’re just tossing it in at the end. Because it’s aromatic rather than aggressive, it shines in quick emulsions and bright acids—think lemon and vinegar—where that wine-dark fragrance can actually speak.

Best Uses

torn-leaf finishing on hot grains and soups
quick-blended pesto-style sauce (minimal cook time)
infused vinegar or simple syrup for cocktails and spritzes
purple basil garnish for salads and grilled proteins

Flavor Profile

sweet-anise perfume velvety, tender leaf texture dark-fragrant basil heat

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic extra-virgin olive oil parmesan feta white wine vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent and treat powdery mildew on Ararat (60-day) plants?

Powdery mildew shows up as a white, dusty coating on Ararat leaves, usually when nights are cool and days stay humid. Remove badly affected leaves early, improve airflow by spacing plants and keeping the lower foliage dry, and water at the soil line. If it keeps spreading, spray with a potassium bicarbonate or sulfur product labeled for edible plants and reapply as directed after 5–7 days.

How often should I water Ararat during the main growing phase (weeks 2–6)?

During active growth, keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—about 1 inch of water per week, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, especially to support steady leaf and bulb development. Avoid frequent light sprinkles that keep the surface wet, which increases leaf disease risk.

When is Ararat ready to harvest (60 days), and what signs should I look for?

Harvest at about 60 days after sowing/transplanting, or when the plants’ heads/bulbs reach full size and the tops begin to yellow and loosen slightly. For the best eating quality, harvest on a dry day and don’t wait until the foliage collapses completely. After pulling, cure/sort quickly according to the use (fresh use immediately, or allow brief drying before storage if applicable).