I think the seeds should be brown, like bird seed. I think that the red ones are not mature, I harvested the brown from a stalk that was not broken. Supposedly, they will not come true, but I think it is worth a shot.

The seeds are a tan color but they have a papery coating that makes them look red.I put mine on a paper plate to dry and the covering will come off when completely dry.I have collected seed from mine 3 years now and I have no problem with them, the plants are always purple.I think this thing about the plants MAY not look like the originals is a marketing gimmic,so people will go out and buy new plants.One thing I do know for sure is when you grow these seeds,don't let them get rootbound in the pots as they will stop growing.