Basil Varieties: The 14 Best

Basil is now one of the best-selling kitchen herbs. We will show you the great variety of varieties that are available for your own garden.

Many know that basil (Ocimum basilicum) only as light green plants with large cupped leaves, which are often sold in supermarkets. But the variety of basil is enormous. Representatives with a wide variety of leaf colors are available. In addition to the classic green, there are also varieties such as Red Basil or Black Basil, in which the veins of the leaves are dark red in color or green-white to green-purple in color. The differences in smell and taste between the different varieties are due to the individual compositions of the essential oils. Not even the supposed wisdom that basil is always annual is true. Some varieties of basil are even perennial if they are wintered frost-free. In the genus Basil (ocimum) in addition to the kitchen herb that is popular with us, there are other species and crosses between species that are certainly cultivated - such as Indian basil (

Ocimum tenuiflorum).

Tip: With our Plantura herb growing set you can easily grow basil and three other herbs at home. Everything you need - seeds, substrate, mini greenhouse and more - is already included in the set.

Popular Varieties of Basil

In the following we present some popular varieties of basil with their special properties:

• 'Albahaca': This aromatic basil variety with purple-tinged leaves grows up to 90 cm high.
• 'Chianti': ‘Chianti’ is a very aromatic variety. It grows up to 50 cm high and impresses with its intense red colored leaves.
• 'cinema': The gentle note of cinnamon has given this variant the nickname "cinnamon basil". Basil of this variety grows up to 30 cm high and is conspicuous by its red-violet stalks.
• 'Italian Stars': 'Italy Star' impresses with its peppery aroma. The variety forms particularly large leaves and is vigorous.
• ‘Neapolitan Basil’: The ‘Neapolitan basil’ is considered to be one of the best varieties. The large green leaves are heavily curled and have a peppery aroma.
• ‘Pesto Perpetuo’: This variety is a real exotic because of its white variegated foliage. The basil grows up to 70 cm high and is even perennial if overwintered properly.
• ‘Lemon Basil’: ‘lemon basil' has a characteristic lemon aroma. The leaves are flat and smaller than those of traditional basil.
• ‘Thai Basil’: ‘Thai Basil’ is a variation of basil with aniseed flavor and smell. This variety is particularly popular in Asian cuisine.

In order for your basil to thrive and give you a bountiful harvest, not only the variety but also the right substrate is crucial. Special herbal soils like ours Organic herbal & seed soil from Plantura provide your basil with the best starting conditions.

Small basil varieties

Are you looking for a low basil or do you have limited space on your windowsill? Then a small, compact basil plant is just right for you:

• 'Aristotle': This basil variety impresses with its compact and cushion-like growth. It only grows to about 20 cm and exudes an intense scent of cloves. The leaves are fine and densely branched.
• 'Piccolino': The variety lives up to its name because it grows very compactly and has small leaves. It reaches a maximum height of 30 cm.

Perennial shrub basil varieties

Basil does not have to be annual. Many shrub basil varieties are perennial when frost-free overwintering. As the name suggests, shrub basil grows in a very bushy form. Some of the varieties are hybrids of different species from the basil genus (ocimum):

• Ocimum basilicum subsp. minimum 'Corfu': This Greek shrub basil is characterized by compact and weak growth. It rarely flowers - and when it does, then very late in the year. This will ensure you a long harvest. In addition, this variety is very robust and can even be grown as a small tree.
• Ocimum basilicum 'Mammoth': As the name suggests, this variety is very vigorous and has large leaves. It tolerates light frosts.
• Ocimum canum x basilicum 'Wild Purple': This basil variety is a real eye-catcher. The shrub-like habit and the intense purple foliage are something very special. This basil variety grows up to 60 cm high.
• Ocimum kilimanjaricum x basilicum purpurascens 'African Blue': This variety is robust and persistent. It attracts attention with its red-veined leaves and grows up to 100 cm high.

If you are interested in other strange basil varieties, you will find articles about them here Black Basil and more Red basil varieties.