I have shared many types of basil plants in this article which will help you.various types of basil plants and their culinary and medicinal uses. It details Genovese basil’s popular culinary usage in making pesto, Sweet basil’s aromatic flavor and use in pasta sauces, Purple basil’s health benefits and unique flavor, and different types like Lime, Lemon, and Greek basil. Each variety has distinct characteristics and uses in cooking and wellness.
- Genovese basil
- Sweet basil
- Purple basil
- Lime basil
- Lemon basil
- Green ruffles basil
- Holy basil
- Cinnamon basil
- Cardinal basil
- African blue basil
- Greek basil
- Spicy globe basil
- Lettuce basil
- Christmas basil
- French basil
- Napoletano basil
- Dark opal basil
- Osmin purple basil
Basil Plant Types
Genovese basil
Genovese basil is a cultivar of Ocimum basilicum. It is one of the most popular basils for culinary use, particularly for its use in pesto, the traditional Genovese sauce. This classic Italian basil is most often used for making pesto. It has a sweet fragrance and is slow to bolt. Its large green leaves average 2″ long.Adding a great Mediterranean taste to the cuisine, Ocimum basilicum ‘Genovese’ (Sweet Basil) is an annual herb boasting large shiny leaves that can be used for rice dishes, poultry, fish, potatoes and vegetables, dressings or marinades.
Sweet basil
Sweet Basil is an erect glabrous herb, 30-90 cm high is indigenous to India. The leaves of basil have numerous oil glands with aromatic volatile oil.Basil has a sweet, pungent, and slightly spicy flavor, and it is widely used in a variety of dishes, including pasta sauces, salads, and soups. It is also a popular ingredient in many traditional medicine systems. Basil is available fresh or dried, and it can be grown easily in a sunny location with well-draining soil.
Purple basil
Purple basil is packed with Vitamin K, which helps with blood clotting and aids in bone strength. Used medicinally for its antioxidants and antibacterial properties, basil oil provides an immune system boost and combats aging and skin ailments.It’s not as sweet as other basil varieties, and it has a strong clove flavor. We don’t recommend cooking it, as it turns an unappealing black color when heated, but it’s perfect for use in salads, pesto or any of your other favorite ways to use fresh basil.The varieties of purple basil are also sometimes called red basil or black basil, as the foliage colours vary from light red to deep violet.
Lime basil
Ocimum americanum, known as American basil, lime basil, or hoary basil, is a species of annual herb in the family Lamiaceae.Use lime basil in stir fry, fish, and poultry dishes, where the fresh citrus flavor can come through. Lime basil matches well with tomato-flavored dishes, pasta sauces, and vegetables, especially beans, peppers, and eggplants, along with soups and stuffing for duck. Basil leaves act as a natural skin-brightening ingredient. Vitamin C lessens the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots, in turn, evening out the skin tone.
Lemon basil
Lemon basil is grown primarily in northeastern Africa and southern Asia for its fragrant lemon scent, and is used in cooking. Lemon basil stems can grow to 20–40 cm tall.It is mild enough to flavor grilled fish or shrimp and can be substituted for basil if you are looking for a fresh twist of flavor. Finely chop and add it to pasta with julienne vegetables and a flavorful extra virgin olive oil for a light and delicious meal.It is often eaten raw with salad or lalap and accompanied by sambal. Lemon basil is often used to season certain Indonesian dishes, such as curries, soup, stew and steamed or grilled dishes.
Green ruffles basil
Green ruffles basil is an annual herb with rich, lime green leaves that have a distinct ruffled and quilted appearance. It is larger plant than common sweet basil and very ornamental, so green ruffles basil makes a nice border or accent plant in the garden.Basil leaves may be beneficial and may act against cancer, diabetes, bacterial growth, and arthritis. It may also manage stress, reduce swelling, boost the immune system, and enhance heart health.This basil variety grows to 60cm high and 40cm wide.
Holy basil
Holy basil is a perennial flowering plant from the mint family. Though it’s also a common cooking herb, it may also have some potential medicinal effects. For example, it may reduce blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.Tulsi, who also known as holy basil, gets its name because of its classification as a sacred herb for Hindus and its long-term association as a medicinal herb. As Tulsi traveled west along the early trade routes from Asia to Europe, it became known to Christians as “sacred” or “holy” basil and was used in rituals.
Cinnamon basil
Cinnamon basil is a type of basil. The term “cinnamon basil” can refer to a number of different varieties of basil, including as a synonym for Thai basil, as a particular cultivar of Thai basil, and as a separate cultivar in its own right. It is beautiful and aromatic, it has a reddy purple stems, slightly pointed leaves and purple flowers. It is also known as Mexican basil. It does not like the cold and is not frost hardy. Cinnamon basil is used in teas and baked goods such as cookies and pies. It is also used in pastas, salads, jellies, and vinegars.
Cardinal basil
This plant prefers lightly cover seed with 1/8” of soil, allow 5-10 days to germinate. Space plants 8-12” apart in the garden, grows to 30” tall. Pinch when 8″ tall to establish a more robust branching plant. 85-100 days to bloom. It is often used as an ornamental edge plant in gardens, imparting a peppery fragrance and acting as a natural pest repellent.The thick leaves of Cardinal basil impart a strong anise-licorice flavor which is highly desired in some dishes.
African blue basil
African blue basil is a hybrid basil variety, a cross between camphor basil and dark opal basil. It is one of a few types of basil that are perennial.All parts of the flower, leaves and stems are edible; although some might find the camphor scent too strong for use in the kitchen, the herb reportedly yields a tasty pesto and can be used as a seasoning in soups and salads, particularly those featuring tomato, green beans, chicken, etc. African Blue basil pairs well with parsley, cardamom, beverages such as black tea, ginger ale, and champagne, green beans, tomatoes, potatoes, lentils, rice, and feta cheese.
Greek basil
Greek Basil is a compact, bushy annual with highly aromatic, bright green leaves. The leaves are smaller than those of sweet basil, with a slightly sweeter flavor. In summer, spikes of small, tubular pink or white flowers appear at the top of the stems. It has a very tight compact growing habit and forms a perfectly spherical bush with tiny leaves appearing as though having been pruned. Great for protecting your tomatoes, chillies and aubergines. In the kitchen: Pinch off small sprigs and add to salads, tomato dishes, sauces and vegetables.
Spicy globe basil
Amazingly enough, Spicy Basil Globe really does have a spicy flavor, almost peppery but not so intense as arugula. It’s still got the sweetness of basil. It’s a fun, different flavor profile that’s a fabulous addition to any kitchen garden. It is an annual herb that is commonly grown for its edible qualities, although it does have ornamental merits as well. The fragrant oval green leaves which emerge chartreuse in spring are usually harvested from early summer to early fall. The leaves have a spicy taste and a pleasant fragrance.
Lettuce basil
The enormous basil leaves of Lettuce Leaf basil are perfect for using in place of lettuce for fresh wraps, stuffing, layering in lasagna, and for making an abundance of pesto.The enormous basil leaves of Lettuce Leaf basil are perfect for using in place of lettuce for fresh wraps, stuffing, layering in lasagna, and for making an abundance of pesto.Lettuce leaf basil is a large-leaf variety of Ocimum basilicum. The large, crinkled leaves, which grow on the short, wide plant, are sweet, but not as strong as other sweet basils.
Christmas basil
This cross between Thai and Genovese basils has a flavor all its own. ‘Christmas’ basil is described as having a fruity, mulled-wine flavor with a touch of pine. Beautiful purple flower display.The oval-shaped leaves are about 2-3 inches long and have a strong aroma and peppery flavor. This is the classic choice for pesto, Caprese salad, and pizza.
French basil
Basil also known as French Basil or Sweet Basil or Tulsi is an erect glabrous herb, 30-90 cm high is indigenous to India. The leaves of basil have numerous oil glands with aromatic volatile oil. The herb bears cluster of small white lipped flowers in racemes. Tulsi is used in the Indian subcontinent, while “Holy Basil” is more commonly used in the West.Sweet basils are the tender large-leaved varieties such as ‘Genovese’ and ‘Napoletano’. Staples in Italian cooking, these are the aromatic and flavor-packed pesto makers.
Napoletano basil
Napoletano basil is a variety of Ocimum basilicum, or sweet basil, that is prized for its strong, traditional basil flavor. The variety has the largest leaves of any basil type and is a preferred variety for making pesto. Napoletano is Italian for Neapolitan, which alludes to its Naples origin.Sweet basil, specifically a variety of sweet basil called Genovese basil, is the star of the Italian classic, pesto, as well as many other sauces and soups. It’s also really easy to grow and will give you an abundance of big leaves you can toss onto your meals.
Dark opal basil
Dark Opal basil is a good source of vitamin K to assist in faster wound healing, vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, and beta-carotene, a compound converted into vitamin A in the body to maintain optimal organ functioning. It will tolerate some shade when growing in hot climates, but does better in full sun. Plant basil in high-quality soil with adequate drainage in a sunny area. Give basil plants plenty of water, but be careful not to water too much. Plants can grow up to about 18 inches tall. Pinch off any flowers that show up on the basil to help keep up the production of new leaves.
Osmin purple basil
Osmin Basil needs fertile soil, amended with compost and/or added organic fertilizer. Basil does not like to dry out, keep well watered for optimum growth, mulching will help retain moisture.With a spicy, clove-like flavor, it is best used fresh in salads or for garnish. The deep purple flowers can also be snipped and used in a salad. Purple basil can be used in any recipe that calls for sweet basil, although the flavor is more intense than traditional sweet basil.