21 Different Types of Basil

Basil is one of the most popular and widely used herbs in a number of cuisines. While we are familiar with the sweet basil, there are actually plenty of types that come with a variety of colors and flavors.

Growing one in your garden is a good choice as they are not just ornamental but a staple in most herb cuisines as well. Other substantial benefits of it include diverse medicinal uses and as an insect repellant.

1. African Blue Basil

One of the reasons the African Blue basil stands out is because it is one of the tallest varieties of basil, standing at close to four feet in height. In addition, it comes back every year as long as you don’t let it freeze. It is great for both ornamental uses and for culinary uses, including being the perfect addition to a variety of meat, vegetable, and rice dishes.

2. Ararat Basil

With green-and-purple leaves and small purple flowers, this type of basil is very attractive and can brighten up anyone’s flower arrangement. Its flavor is slightly sweet and somewhat resembles licorice. If you use it in place of regular basil, you might be surprised at how good your dishes taste.

3. Cardinal Basil

You can easily notice the Cardinal basil because of its beautiful reddish-maroon flowers but this type of basil is good for more than just ornamental uses. It is a little on the spicy side; therefore, it is perfect to use in oils and vinegar when making salad dressings.

4. Christmas Basil

Christmas basil has a very fruity flavor that can be used to add some oomph to dozens of dishes and drinks. Try adding it to a salad for some extra kick. Once you taste it the first time, you’ll wonder how you lasted so long without it. It also contains tall, attractive purple flowers for the perfect complement to its look.

5. Cinnamon Basil

With a spicy flavor and sweet scent, cinnamon basil looks great in flower arrangements but can also be used in various fruit dishes and as a garnish as well. It is a bit different than regular sweet basil and it is found in a lot of home-improvement stores and nurseries.

6. Dark Opal Basil

With a beautiful dark purple color, this type of basil is as beautiful as it is tasty. In addition to making a variety of dishes more flavorful, Dark Opal basil is also perfect for placing in your flower arrangements and your garden because it is both attractive and yummy.

7. Genovese Basil

A type of sweet basil, Genovese basil goes great with anything that sweet basil can be used for, including pesto and numerous Italian dishes. The Genovese basil, however, is pointier and flatter than sweet basil and it also has a much more noticeable aroma.

8. Greek Basil

If you love basil but don’t have a lot of room to grow your own, Greek basil is the perfect option for you. It only grows to about eight inches in height but it still greatly enhances dishes such as soups, salads, and even meat dishes. You can also use it as a garnish to make any meal you’re eating a little more attractive.

9. Green Ruffles Basil

Because of its beautiful color and its mild flavor, Green Ruffles basil is both attractive and tasty. Add it to your pasta and salads for some extra taste and beauty. Its green ruffled leaves will be an eye-catcher for anyone who comes near it.

10. Holy Basil

An important part of the Hindu religion, holy basil is also called sacred basil and is great for the immune system as well. It is a plant that tastes great, is very nutritious, and can greatly improve your overall health. It is especially easy to consume when included in your next cup of tea.

11. Italian Large Leaf Basil

This type of basil has a much sweeter taste and smell than many other types of basil so if you have a sweet tooth, it can quickly become your favorite type of basil. You can also use it interchangeably in any recipe that calls for sweet basil.

12. Lemon Basil

This is a very common and popular type of basil that looks just the same as traditional basil only with a lemon taste to it. You can include it in salads and various fish recipes and even place a few springs in a big pitcher of lemon-flavored iced tea. It is a very versatile type of basil that can enhance numerous dishes and drinks.

13. Lettuce Leaf Basil

Resembling a head of lettuce, lettuce leaf basil is yet another variety of sweet basil. Because it grows so large, it is one of the most productive types of basil as well. It can be used in pesto or mixed with oil for dipping bread in and its taste is one that you will never forget.

14. Lime Basil

Perfect for a variety of chicken and fish dishes, lime basil packs a great lime taste that you can also add to your favorite margarita or even iced tea. It is also a very small herb so you don’t need a lot of space in order to grow it successfully.

15. Napoletano Basil

This type of basil is a type of sweet basil but has a little more punch and spiciness to it. Because of this characteristic, Napoletano basil is perfect for pesto as well as for anything that you would use sweet basil for but for which you’d prefer a little more oomph. Its mild, anise-like flavor is perfect for dressings, marinades, and a variety of sauces and soups. In fact, you can use this type of basil in both raw and cooked dishes because it is such a versatile herb.

16. Purple Ruffles Basil

This type of basil is similar to the Dark Opal basil but it has large green leaves and streaks of purple instead of solid purple leaves. It also has ruffled leaves instead of straight ones. You can use the Purple Ruffles basil as an eye-catching garnish to a number of dishes or add it to your garden as you would the Dark Opal basil.

17. Spicy Bush Basil

This type of basil resembles a small bush when it is ready to be harvested but it still packs a lot of flavors regardless of its compact size. Try adding it to various soups and sauces; as with other types of basil, a little bit goes a long way.

18. Spicy Globe Basil

This is yet another type of basil that is small in size and it goes great in pasta, soups, and salads. It is slightly spicy and makes a perfect addition to your container garden. It grows in a globe shape, hence its name, and at one time it was very popular with the ruling class, which is why it is sometimes called the “king of herbs.”

19. Summerlong Basil

A dwarf type of basil, the Summerlong usually can be used within 30 to 60 days after planting. If you are growing basil out of containers because you don’t have much room to grow your herbs, the Summerlong basil is perfect. Similar to other types of basil, it is great for a variety of Italian and other ethnic dishes.

20. Sweet Basil

If you’re interested in growing an all-purpose type of basil, you should consider starting with sweet basil. You can use it for everything from soup to tomato sauce and it grows very well in a hot, sunny location. In fact, sweet basil is perfect for many Italian dishes and it is both tasty and easy to grow, even for beginning gardeners.

21. Sweet Thais Basil

Sweet Thais basil is less common than most other types of basil and it has an Asian cousin as well. It is pretty spicy so if this is the taste you’re going for, the Sweet Thais basil is the one for you.