Basil Guide

Basil Comparison Chart

Compare every basil we carry side by side. Genovese and sweet basils are the classic choice for pesto; lettuce leaf types grow huge, crinkled leaves; and purple basils add bold color to salads and borders. Citrus, Thai, holy and cinnamon basils bring their own unique flavors, and tiny globe basils fit right in a pot on the windowsill. Tap any variety to see full details and order seed.

Download printable PDF Genovese & Sweet Basil Lettuce Leaf & Ruffled Basil Purple Basil Citrus Basil Thai, Holy & Cinnamon Basil Fine Leaf & Globe Basil Basil Blends

60–74 days

Genovese & Sweet

Classic pesto basil with large, cupped leaves.

65–80 days

Lettuce Leaf

Huge, crinkled leaves for wraps and sauces.

72–85 days

Purple

Deep purple leaves for color and vinegars.

60–85 days

Specialty

Citrus, Thai, holy, cinnamon and globe basils.

Genovese & Sweet Basil

Variety	Days	Color	Flavor	Best For	Notes	Height
Persian	60	Green	Sweet, anise	Salads, garnish	Big leaves; pollinators	24 in.
Genovese Heirloom	68	Dark green	Sweet, clove	Pesto, sauces	Classic pesto basil	24 in.
Sweet Genovese Organic	68	Green	Sweet, spicy	Pesto, sauces	Large aromatic leaves	24 in.
Prospera DMR (CG1) F1 Hybrid Organic	68	Dark green	Classic Genovese	Pesto, sauces	Downy mildew resistant	24 in.
Aroma 2 Organic	68	Dark green	Strong, sweet	Pesto, sauces	Fusarium resistant	24 in.
Dolce Fresca AAS Winner	70	Green	Sweet	Pots, garnish	Compact, bushy	18 in.
Large Leaf Heirloom Organic	70	Dark green	Sweet, tangy	Pesto, sauces	Heat loving	30 in.
Prospera DMR (PS5) F1 Hybrid Organic	72	Dark green	Classic Genovese	Pots, garnish	DMR; semi-compact	20 in.
Large Leaf Italian	74	Light green	Sweet, mild	Pesto, sauces	Our most popular	24 in.
Nufar F1 Hybrid Organic	74	Green	Sweet, floral	Pesto, sauces	Fusarium resistant	30 in.

Lettuce Leaf & Ruffled Basil

Variety	Days	Color	Flavor	Best For	Notes	Height
Lettuce Leaf	65	Light green	Mild, sweet	Salads, garnish	Hand-size leaves	24 in.
Green Ruffles	70	Green	Tangy, rich	Salads, garnish	Ruffled, serrated	24 in.
Valentino	80	Green	Sweet	Pesto, sauces	Large, cupped leaves	15 in.

Purple Basil

Variety	Days	Color	Flavor	Best For	Notes	Height
Red Rubin	72	Purple-red	Sweet, spicy	Salads, garnish	Holds color well	24 in.
Dark Opal Heirloom AAS Winner	80	Deep purple	Spicy, clove	Vinegars, color	Pink flowers	24 in.
Purple Ruffles AAS Winner	85	Deep purple	Sweet, spicy	Salads, garnish	Ruffled, fringed	24 in.

Pinch basil for bigger harvests

Basil loves heat and full sun, and cold nights below 50°F will damage its leaves. Once plants have three pairs of leaves, pinch off the tips to make them branch, and snip off flower buds as they appear. Regular picking keeps plants bushy and full of fresh leaves until frost.

Citrus Basil

Variety	Days	Color	Flavor	Best For	Notes	Height
Lime	60	Bright green	Lime	Fish, drinks	Bright lime scent	18 in.
Mrs. Burns Heirloom	60	Green	Lemon-lime	Fish, drinks	Large, intense leaves	24 in.
Lemon	65	Light green	Lemon	Fish, drinks	Compact; small leaves	18 in.

Thai, Holy & Cinnamon Basil

Variety	Days	Color	Flavor	Best For	Notes	Height
Cinnamon	64	Green	Cinnamon	Desserts, tea	Purple stems	24 in.
Thai Heirloom	64	Green	Anise, clove	Asian dishes	Purple stems & flowers	24 in.
Siam Queen AAS Winner	75	Dark green	Anise, licorice	Asian dishes	Showy purple blooms	24 in.
Holy (Tulsi)	85	Green, purple	Clove, pepper	Herbal tea	Sacred tulsi; bees love it	24 in.

Fine Leaf & Globe Basil

Variety	Days	Color	Flavor	Best For	Notes	Height
Pistou	60	Green	Spicy	Pots, garnish	Petite; great in pots	12 in.
Spicy Bush	70	Bright green	Spicy, sweet	Pots, garnish	Round, boxwood-like	12 in.

Basil Blends

Variety	Days	Color	Flavor	Best For	Notes	Height
Culinary Blend	85	Mixed	Mixed	Pesto, sauces	Genovese, lemon, lime	24 in.
Culinary Blend Organic	85	Mixed	Mixed	Pesto, sauces	Genovese, lemon, lime	24 in.

Basil Types

GenoveseClassic Italian pesto basil with large, cupped leaves.

CitrusLemon or lime scent; great with fish, salads and drinks.

ThaiAnise flavor and purple stems; holds up to high heat.

Days are from seeding to full-size plants (leaves can be picked about 3–4 weeks earlier) and are typical values from breeders and seed trials; results vary with growing conditions. DMR means downy mildew resistant.