Best Basil Varieties to Grow in Your Garden

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With its rich aroma, lush leaves, and fast-growing nature, basil is one of the most beloved herbs in the home garden. But basil isn’t just one plant—it’s a diverse group of cultivars and species with unique flavors, forms, and purposes. Whether you’re growing basil for pesto, teas, or ornamental interest, there’s a variety perfectly suited to your garden or kitchen.

I’ve been growing basil for over 30 years—often multiple varieties each season—so I’ve learned which types consistently perform well in different conditions, from raised beds to containers on the patio.

Let’s explore the best basil varieties to grow, including culinary classics, container-friendly options, and bold, beautiful types for ornamental use.

🌿 Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Sweet basil is the classic Italian type used in pesto, tomato sauces, soups, and salads. It’s what most people think of when they hear “basil.”

• Height: 24 inches
• Leaves: Bright green, 2 to 3 inches long
• Flavor: Sweet, slightly clove-like
• Use: Excellent for traditional pesto and Italian dishes

Top Sweet Basil Cultivars:

• ‘Genovese’ – Traditional, large-leaf Italian type
• ‘Genoa’ – Compact and highly fragrant
• ‘Aroma 1’ & ‘Aroma 2’ – Disease-resistant and productive
• ‘Nufar’ – Fusarium wilt resistant, excellent for home gardens

Tip from my garden: I grow Genovese basil next to my tomatoes. They thrive in the same conditions and complement each other perfectly on the plate.

🍋 Lemon Basil (Ocimum basilicum crispum)

This basil has a bright citrus aroma and flavor—perfect for teas, fish dishes, and fruit salads. It’s also compact and ideal for pots or indoor growing.

• Leaves: Crinkled, bright green
• Growth: More compact than sweet basil
• Flavor: Lemon-scented with a refreshing tang

I often add lemon basil to iced tea or muddle it into lemonade—it’s a refreshing twist in summer heat.

🔥 Cinnamon Basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Cinnamon’)

Also known as Mexican spice basil, this variety adds a warm, spicy flavor to both sweet and savory dishes.

• Aroma: Cinnamon-clove
• Use: Great in teas, fruit dishes, and with pork or poultry

Cinnamon basil is one of my go-to herbs for infusing syrups and vinegar—it smells like a garden dessert.

🇬🇷 Greek Basil (Ocimum basilicum minimum)

A small-leaf, compact variety perfect for windowsill growing. Its delicate leaves pack a surprising amount of flavor.

• Growth: Bushy, dense, ideal for containers
• Flavor: Strong and slightly peppery
• Use: Add whole leaves to salads, sauces, or garnish

Greek basil is easy to grow year-round indoors with good light, and it’s ornamental too.

🕉️ Holy Basil / Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum or O. tenuiflorum)

An adaptogenic herb used in Ayurvedic medicine and sacred in Hindu tradition. Tulsi is grown more for teas and wellness than for culinary use.

• Flavor: Clove-like, slightly bitter
• Use: Brew into tea; not recommended for cooking
• Cultural Note: Often grown near temples in India for its spiritual significance

I grow tulsi not for its flavor, but for its calming, medicinal properties. It’s one of my favorite herbs for evening tea.

🍆 Purple Basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Dark Opal’ and others)

Purple basil varieties are stunning in both the garden and on the plate. Their flavor is more peppery or spicy than sweet basil.

• Color: Deep purple to reddish-bronze
• Use: Garnish, Asian dishes, herbal vinegar, ornamental borders

Top Purple Basil Varieties:

• ‘Dark Opal’ – Deep purple leaves and lavender flowers
• ‘Purple Ruffles’ – Ruffled leaves with rich color
• ‘Red Rubin’ – Vigorous and highly ornamental
• ‘Red Osmin’ – Compact, perfect for pots

I like to grow purple basil alongside green types for contrast—it looks great in both garden beds and salads.

🍃 Thai Basil (Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora)

A must-grow for Southeast Asian cuisine, Thai basil has a distinct licorice or anise flavor and holds up better than sweet basil when cooked.

• Leaves: Narrower, dark green with purple stems
• Flavor: Sweet, spicy, licorice-like
• Use: Stir-fries, curries, pho, spring rolls

Top Cultivar:

• ‘Horapha’ – Traditional Thai variety

In my kitchen garden, Thai basil grows next to lemongrass and chili peppers—it’s a perfect culinary trio.

🌱 Miniature & Compact Basils

These are great for small spaces, indoor gardening, or edging garden beds. They often have tiny leaves but full flavor.

• ‘Minimum’ / Spicy Globe – Tight, globe-shaped bush with tiny leaves
• ‘Magical Michael’ – Uniform, compact, decorative and edible
• ‘Marseillais Dwarf’ – Classic French flavor in a small form
• ‘Finissimo Verde a Palla’ – Italian miniature, great in containers

I use compact basils in window boxes and as a border along my herb garden—they’re tidy, flavorful, and beautiful.

🌳 Tree Basil (Ocimum gratissimum)

Also called African basil, this large perennial basil can grow up to 6 feet tall in warm climates.

• Growth: Shrub-like; great in subtropical zones
• Use: Similar to sweet basil but with a stronger aroma

If you garden in Zone 10 or warmer, this is a unique specimen to try—just give it room to grow.

💨 Camphor Basil (Ocimum kilimandscharicum)

With a strong camphor-like scent, this basil is used more for medicinal or ornamental purposes than culinary.

• Flavor: Pungent and medicinal
• Use: Not commonly used in cooking

While not one I grow often, camphor basil attracts pollinators and adds variety to the herb garden.

🍴 Large-Leaf Basils

Perfect for sandwiches, caprese salads, and wraps.

• ‘Napolitano’ – Huge leaves, mild flavor, great for layering
• ‘Large Green’ – Broad-leaved classic
• ‘Mammoth Sweet’ – Crinkled, ruffled leaves with big flavor

These are my go-to varieties for stuffing or wrapping cheese and tomato slices—delicious and dramatic.

🌟 Final Thoughts

There’s a basil variety for every garden and every palate—from sweet and subtle to bold and spicy. When choosing which basil to grow, consider not just flavor but also plant size, heat tolerance, and how you plan to use it in the kitchen.

Over the years, I’ve found that planting multiple types side by side not only enriches my cooking but keeps the garden buzzing with pollinators. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned gardener, basil is one of the easiest and most satisfying herbs you can grow.

🌿 Basil Varieties at a Glance