Types of Basil: 9 Unique Varieties (and How to Use Each One)

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) isn’t just one herb—it’s an entire family of fragrant, flavorful, and surprisingly diverse cultivars. From the sweet, familiar aroma of Genovese basil to the zesty punch of Lemon basil or the rich hues of Dark Opal, every variety brings its own personality to the pot or plate.

As someone who’s spent years experimenting with indoor basil cultivation, I’ve come to appreciate how each cultivar has unique growing quirks, flavor strengths, and aesthetic charm. Whether you’re growing basil for culinary adventures, visual flair, or medicinal uses, this guide is your go-to resource.

Quick Overview Table: Compare Basil Cultivars at a Glance

Basil Variety	Best Use	Flavor Profile	Leaf Color	Indoor Friendly	Notes
Sweet Basil	Pasta, pesto	Sweet, peppery	Bright green	Yes	Most common, easy to grow
Genovese Basil	Italian cooking	Bold, aromatic	Bright green	Yes	Pesto essential
Thai Basil	Stir-fries, curries	Licorice, spicy	Dark green/purple	Yes	Heat-tolerant
Lemon Basil	Fish, teas, desserts	Citrusy, tangy	Light green	Yes	Contains healthy compounds
Cinnamon Basil	Baking, exotic dishes	Sweet, cinnamon	Green/purple stems	Yes	Also known as Mexican spice basil
Holy Basil (Tulsi)	Tea, wellness	Clove-like, peppery	Green	Yes	Medicinal properties
Greek Basil	Small-space gardening	Strong, peppery	Small green leaves	Yes	Compact and ornamental
Dark Opal Basil	Garnish, visual appeal	Mild, slightly spicy	Deep purple	Yes	Antioxidant-rich
African Blue Basil	Pollinator attraction	Camphor, strong aroma	Green/purple	Yes (cuttings)	Cannot grow from seed

Common Types of Basil You Should Know 🍃

Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

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This is the all-rounder—the basil most people picture. Sweet, mild, and versatile. Perfect for pasta sauces, salads, and the classic Caprese.

Read More: How To Grow Basil Indoors

Genovese Basil

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Think pesto. Genovese basil is a variety of sweet basil but with broader, flatter leaves and a stronger scent. It holds its flavor well, even when cooked. Indoors, it thrives with 6+ hours of sun or grow light.

Thai Basil

(Image source: Doug Beckers)

Sharp, spicy, and slightly licorice-like, Thai basil is essential in Southeast Asian cuisines. It has purple stems, sturdier leaves, and thrives in hot conditions. Bonus: it’s beautiful.

Read More: How To Grow Thai Basil

Lemon Basil

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Fresh and citrusy thanks to its high content of citral and limonene. Ideal for teas, fish dishes, or as a fresh topping. Studies even suggest it contains antioxidant properties that support cellular health.

Read More: How To Grow Lemon Basil

Unique and Less Common Basil Varieties 🌿

Cinnamon Basil

Distinctly warm and spicy. The flavor comes from cinnamate compounds in its essential oils. It’s great in infused syrups, fruit dishes, or even herbal liqueurs.

Read More: How To Grow Cinnamon Basil

Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. Holy basil is believed to support immune function, reduce stress, and improve cardiovascular health. More pungent and medicinal in flavor—great for tea.

Greek Basil

Compact, bushy, and ideal for small containers. Its tiny leaves pack a flavorful punch. It’s a beautiful tabletop herb that doubles as decor.

Dark Opal Basil

A stunning variety bred for both culinary use and aesthetics. Its deep purple leaves are rich in anthocyanins (a type of antioxidant) and make it a great addition to salads or herb blends.

African Blue Basil

This hybrid variety can’t be grown from seed—only from cuttings. It’s a bit woody and often grown as a perennial. Strong scent, great pollinator attractant, and highly aromatic.

Wondering how basil pollination works? Here’s a helpful explainer that breaks it down step-by-step.

Scientific Insight: What Makes Each Basil Unique? 🔍

While all basil varieties fall under Ocimum basilicum, science shows their chemistry and traits vary more than you’d expect — from aroma to health benefits. Here’s what sets them apart, backed by real research:

1. Essential Oil Profiles Define Chemotypes

According to a GC-MS analysis of 7 basil cultivars (Muráriková et al., 2017, Molecules), basil varieties differ significantly in their dominant essential oil compounds:

• Sweet basil cultivars (e.g. ‘Ohře’) tend to be linalool-rich, giving them a floral, slightly citrusy aroma.
• Cinnamon and Thai basil often exhibit high methyl cinnamate or estragole levels, contributing to spicy or licorice-like notes. (Learn More in our article: Why Does My Basil Smell Like Licorice)
• Purple-leaved varieties like Red Rubin lean toward methyl eugenol, with a deeper, clove-like scent.

These chemotypes influence not just aroma, but also basil’s use in culinary, cosmetic, or medicinal applications.

✅ Cultivation conditions like light, temperature, and humidity also change the oil profile. For instance, darker seasons promote conversion of eugenol into methyl eugenol.

2. Purple Basil = Natural Anthocyanin Powerhouse

Purple basil varieties like Dark Opal owe their vibrant leaves to anthocyanins — natural plant pigments with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential.

A 2015 study (Food Chemistry) found that:

• Purple basil contains high levels of anthocyanins, which can be significantly boosted by treating plants with natural stressors like jasmonic acid or arachidonic acid (elicitors).
• These compounds enhanced lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase inhibition, supporting their potential anti-inflammatory benefits.

🧪 Anthocyanins not only give purple basil its deep color but may also contribute to health-promoting properties — particularly when grown under optimized conditions.

3. Not All Basils Grow the Same Way

Some basil types stay compact and tidy — like Greek basil, which forms a globe-shaped bush ideal for pots. Others, like African Blue, grow tall and semi-woody, suited for bigger spaces. These growth habits affect their usability in indoor gardening and commercial cultivation alike.

🧩 Summary:

Trait	Example Varieties	Dominant Compound(s)	Special Notes
Aroma: Floral/Citrus	‘Ohře’, ‘Lettuce Leaf’	Linalool	Classic sweet basil scent
Aroma: Spicy/Clove	‘Red Rubin’, ‘Dark Green’	Methyl eugenol	Richer and deeper profile
Color: Purple	‘Dark Opal’, ‘Red Rubin’	Anthocyanins	Natural antioxidant pigments
Medicinal Potential	Holy Basil (Tulsi), Purple Basil	Eugenol, Anthocyanins	Traditional and studied benefits
Growth Form	Greek Basil, African Blue	–	Compact vs tall/woody

📚 Sources:

• Muráriková A. et al. (2017), Molecules
• Szymanowska U. et al. (2015), Food Chemistry, DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.09.043

FAQs – Types of Basil ❓

What is the most common type of basil used in cooking?
Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is the most widely used variety, especially in Italian cuisine. Its mild, slightly peppery flavor makes it ideal for pesto, sauces, and salads.

What is the difference between sweet basil and Genovese basil?
Genovese basil is a cultivar of sweet basil known for larger leaves and a stronger aroma. It’s the preferred type for making traditional pesto alla genovese.

Can I eat purple basil?
Yes, purple basil varieties like Dark Opal or Red Rubin are fully edible. They have a slightly spicier, clove-like flavor and contain anthocyanins, which offer antioxidant benefits.

Which type of basil is best for Thai food?
Thai basil (Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora) is commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine. It has a distinctive licorice or anise-like flavor that holds up well to heat in stir-fries and soups.

Is holy basil the same as sweet basil?
No, holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum or Tulsi) is a different species altogether. It’s used more for medicinal and spiritual purposes and has a pungent, clove-like taste.

Are all basil varieties good for indoor growing?
Most basil types can be grown indoors with enough light, but compact cultivars like Greek basil or Sweet basil perform best in small spaces.

Which basil type has the strongest flavor?
Cinnamon basil and Thai basil are among the strongest, with bold, spicy, or sweet clove-like notes that stand out in cooked dishes.

Do all basil types have health benefits?
Many basil varieties are rich in essential oils and phytochemicals like eugenol, linalool, or anthocyanins — offering antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and even adaptogenic properties.

Related Articles You’ll Love

• How To Preserve Basil: Fresh, Chopped, Frozen & Dried
• Essential Nutrients for Basil
• 5 Common Basil Diseases: Identification And Treatment Guide
• Can You Eat Basil Stems? Exploring Their Culinary Potential

Choosing the Right Basil: Final Takeaways for Herb Enthusiasts

Basil is far more than just a kitchen herb. Each type has its strengths, uses, and benefits. Whether you’re making a lemony herbal tea, a rich red curry, or the perfect pesto, there’s a basil for that.

Experiment with several types to discover which ones thrive in your space and suit your culinary needs. And as always, keep exploring, growing, and tasting.

Happy basil gardening!