The Ultimate Guide to 13 Basil Varieties for Your Herb Garden

Are you a fan of fresh, aromatic flavors in your cooking? If so, basil is an herb you definitely want to have in your garden. With its peppery taste and hint of licorice, basil is a versatile ingredient in various cuisines, making it a must-have for any herb garden.

In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore 13 of the best basil varieties that you can consider planting in your garden. From bold and spicy flavors to sweet and mild ones, there’s a basil variety for everyone’s taste buds. Let’s dive in and discover the wonderful world of basil!

Why Grow Basil?

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Before we jump into the specific basil varieties, let’s talk about why growing basil is a great idea for your herb garden. Here are some reasons why basil is a fantastic herb to have on hand:

Flavorful: Basil adds a punch of flavor to dishes, whether it’s pesto, salads, soups, or desserts.
Easy to Grow: Basil is relatively easy to grow either from seed, cuttings, or nursery starts.
Aromatic: The fragrant aroma of basil is not only delightful in cooking but also adds a pleasant scent to your garden.
Ornamental Value: Many basil varieties have beautiful flowers and foliage, making them a lovely addition to your garden.
Versatile: With over 160 cultivars to choose from, you can grow different basil varieties to suit your culinary needs and aesthetic preferences.

Now, let’s explore some of the top basil varieties that you can consider planting in your herb garden!

Top 13 Basil Varieties to Try

Boxwood
Description: Features small leaves with a perfect, shrub-like form reminiscent of a boxwood plant.
Best Uses: Ideal for containers, edging, and knot gardens. Great for making pesto.
Available: Seeds or live plants at Burpee.
Cinnamon
Description: Sweet-flavored cultivar with a distinctive cinnamon taste.
Best Uses: Delicious in baked goods, jellies, and vinegars. Adds visual appeal with purple flowers.
Available: Seeds at Eden Brothers.
Dark Opal
Description: Deep purple leaves and pinky-lilac flowers with anise-based flavor.
Best Uses: Perfect for savory or sweet dishes. Winner of the All-America Selections Award.
Available: Seeds at Eden Brothers.
Emerald Towers
Description: Tall, multi-branched Genovese type with a licorice taste and spicy clove scent.
Best Uses: Suitable for containers or in-ground planting. Requires ample space to grow.
Available: Seeds or plants at Burpee.
Genovese
Description: Traditional Italian type with lustrous leaves and pronounced anise flavor.
Best Uses: Ideal for pesto, salads, and savory dishes.
Available: Seeds or plants at Eden Brothers.
Greek
Description: Compact variety with small leaves and spicy fragrance.
Best Uses: Perfect for salad dressings, sauces, soups, and stews. Great for container gardens.
Available: Seeds at True Leaf Market.
Italian Large Leaf
Description: Classic cultivar with large leaves and sweet flavor.
Best Uses: Versatile in the kitchen. Delicious in pesto.
Available: Seeds at True Leaf Market.
Lemon
Description: Hybrid with fresh lemon scent and sweet-tart flavor.
Best Uses: Popular in Indonesian cuisine. Perfect in curries, soups, and stir-fries.
Available: Seeds at Eden Brothers.
Lime
Description: Light, floral-citrusy flavor and fragrance.
Best Uses: Ideal for beverages, salad dressings, and desserts.
Available: Seeds at Eden Brothers.
Mammoth
- Description: Lettuce leaf cultivar with huge savoyed leaves and spicy clove fragrance.
- Best Uses: Great for Italian recipes or pesto.
- Available: Seeds at Eden Brothers.
Minette
- Description: Compact Greek cultivar with sweet anise flavor and clove scent.
- Best Uses: Adorable as an edging plant. Perfect for containers or knot gardens.
- Available: Seeds at Eden Brothers.
Siam Queen
- Description: Thai variety with sweet licorice flavor and ornamental value.
- Best Uses: Flavoring curries, soups, and stir-fries. Stunning purple flower heads.
- Available: Seeds at Eden Brothers.
Sweet
- Description: Popular variety with full licorice flavor and spicy clove fragrance.
- Best Uses: Great for salads, sandwiches, pesto, and savory dishes.
- Available: Seeds at Eden Brothers.

How to Use Basil in Your Cooking

Now that you have an overview of the top basil varieties to grow in your herb garden, let’s talk about how you can utilize basil in your cooking. Here are some popular ways to incorporate basil in your dishes:

Pesto: A classic use for basil, pesto is a flavorful sauce made with basil, garlic, nuts, olive oil, and cheese. It’s delicious tossed with pasta, spread on sandwiches, or used as a marinade.
Salads: Fresh basil leaves add a burst of flavor to salads, whether they’re tossed in a garden salad or paired with mozzarella and tomatoes in a Caprese salad.
Soups and Stews: Basil can elevate the taste of soups and stews, adding a fragrant note to hearty dishes.
Desserts: Believe it or not, basil can be a surprising addition to desserts. Basil-infused ice cream, sorbets, and cakes can be a delightful treat.

Experiment with different basil varieties to discover unique flavor profiles that can enhance your culinary creations.

Tips for Growing Basil Successfully

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, growing basil can be a rewarding experience. Here are some tips to help you cultivate a thriving basil garden:

Sunlight: Basil thrives in full sunlight, so be sure to plant it in a sunny spot in your garden.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to prevent root rot.
Pruning: Regularly prune your basil plants to encourage bushy growth and prevent flowering.
Harvesting: Harvest basil leaves regularly to promote new growth. Use sharp scissors to cut the stems just above a leaf pair.
Pests: Keep an eye out for common basil pests like aphids and whiteflies. Consider using organic pest control methods if needed.

By following these tips, you can enjoy a bountiful basil harvest throughout the growing season.

In Conclusion

Basil is a versatile herb that not only adds incredible flavor to your dishes but also enriches your garden with its delightful aroma and ornamental value. With a wide array of basil varieties to choose from, you can create a diverse herb garden that caters to your culinary preferences.

Are you ready to start growing basil in your herb garden? Let us know in the comments which basil variety you’re excited to plant. Happy gardening and happy cooking with basil!