Basil

65 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Cinnamon Basil. The plant produces good yields of very spicy and cinnamon-flavored basil leaves. It is a popular herb variety prized for its warm, spicy cinnamon-like aroma and flavor combined with classic basil notes, often with hints of mint or anise. Used in sauces, salads, and Mexican dishes. It features deep green leaves (sometimes with purple tinges, striking violet or purplish-red stems, and lavender flowers. It is an attractive ornamental plant and a pollinator-friendly addition to your herb garden. Also known as Mexican Basil and Mexican Spice Basil. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for home gardens and specialty markets. A heirloom variety from Mexico.

80 days. Ocimum basilicum Seeds. Annual. Open Pollinated. Dark Opal Purple Basil Seeds. It is a popular herb variety prized for its striking deep purple to nearly black leaves, fragrant aroma, and culinary uses. The plant produces good yields of beautiful, shiny, deep purple basil leaves with pink flowers. Very fragrant and tasty, with a strong, peppery basil flavor. Used as a garnish, in salads, and to make flavored vinegar. Good type for drying. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for home gardens and gourmet chefs. United States Department of Agriculture, PI 852071. A variety from the USA.

85 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Di Genova Basil. The plant produces good yields of beautiful 4" long aromatic dark green basil leaves. It is a popular basil variety prized for its flavorful, fragrant leaves. Very fragrant and tasty. Perfect for salads, sauces, and garnishes. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for herb gardens. A variety from Sicily, Italy.

85 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Dwarf Greek Basil. The plant produces good yields of fragrant green basil leaves with white flowers. It is a popular basil variety prized for its intense flavor, small leaves, and tidy, globe-like growth habit. Excellent as a garnish or seasoning for poultry, beef, stews, and soups. This variety is preferred by most chefs. It can be grown indoors in containers. Perfect for patio gardening. Excellent choice for herb gardens. A variety from the USA.

63 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Fino Verde Basil. This small, compact bush plant produces very flavorful, tiny basil leaves. It is a popular Italian heirloom variety prized for its compact growth, tiny aromatic leaves, and intense sweet-spicy basil flavor. It has a strong, classic sweet basil taste with pungent spicy notes favored by chefs, especially for pesto. The plant is very slow to bolt, 3 weeks later than Genovese Basil. Leaves have a sweet, pungent flavor similar to that of Spicy Globe Bush Basil. Used in sauces, salads, and Italian dishes. Very attractive, excellent potted plants and landscaping borders. A variety from Italy.

88 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Genovese Basil Seeds. The plant produces beautiful, large, 2" long aromatic dark green Basil leaves. It is a popular basil variety prized for its large, tender, dark-green leaves that have a rich, sweet flavor and strong aroma. Very fragrant and tasty. It is widely considered the most popular and best basil for making authentic pesto from Genoa, Italy, as it has a balanced sweet-spicy profile with hints of clove, pepper, anise, and mint, stronger and more intense than many milder sweet basil types. Great for making sauces, stews, and salads. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for herb gardens. United States Department of Agriculture, PI 652065. An heirloom variety from Italy. 

75 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Holy Basil Red Leaf. The plant produces high yields of beautiful purple-tinted basil leaves. It is a popular herb variety prized for its pointed leaves with deep purple-red or purple-tinged coloration, especially on stems and young foliage, distinguishing it from standard green holy basil. The leaves are very aromatic. It produces lots of leaves throughout the season. Great for stir fry, soups, and Gai Pad Gra Pow dishes. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for home gardens. A variety from India.

90 days. Ocimum sanctum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Holy Basil Seeds. The plant produces good yields of basil leaves. It is a popular herb variety known for its sacred plant in Hinduism and a key herb in Ayurvedic medicine. It has a peppery, clove-like scent and is revered for its spiritual and medicinal properties. The leaves have a musky scent with a hint of mint. Used to make Thai teas. Medicinal used for digestive disorders, reducing stress and anxiety, supporting immunity, and acting as an anti-inflammatory, helping regulate blood sugar and cholesterol, antioxidant properties, respiratory support, as often used in teas for colds/coughs, and also used in male and female tonics by Hindus. Also known as Sacred Basil, Kaprao, and Tulsi. An excellent choice for home gardens. A variety from India.

78 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Italian Large Leaf Basil. The plant produces excellent yields of very flavorful and tender, shiny, large, 4" long, medium-dark basil leaves. This popular herb variety is prized for its tender, aromatic leaves and sweeter profile, ideal for fresh eating and classic Italian dishes. Chefs prefer it because it is sweeter and less clover-like than other varieties. Used in sauces, salads, pesto, sandwiches, tomato sauces, pasta, and other fresh culinary applications. Leaves are large enough that a few can cover a slice of bread. Slow to bolt. Suitable for containers. Excellent choice for herb gardens. A variety from Italy.

 

How to Grow Italian Large Leaf Basil Seeds. Follow the planting instructions below and use Miracle-Gro Seed Starting Mix for successful germination.

75 days. Ocimum citriodorum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Lemon Basil Seeds. The plant produces good yields of beautiful, shiny basil leaves. It is a popular herb variety prized for its distinctive sweet-lemon scent and tangy citrus flavor, which is stronger than that of regular basil. Leaves have a lemony scent and flavor that is excellent for flavoring chicken dishes. Used in vegetable dishes, salads, pestos, tomato dishes, cheeses, omelets, tea, fish/chicken dishes, curries, and making herb vinegar. Also known as Citrus Basil. Suitable for container gardens. An excellent choice for herb gardens. A variety from India.

85 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Lettuce Leaf Basil. This bush plant produces good yields of very flavorful and tender basil leaves. It is a popular heirloom sweet basil variety prized for its exceptionally large, crinkled, light-green leaves that can reach 4–6 inches in length and width, resembling lettuce leaves. Used in sauces, salads, veal, poultry, fish, vegetables, and gourmet dishes. Leaves can be used dried, fresh, or frozen. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for home gardens. United States Department of Agriculture, PI 92043. A variety from Japan.

75 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Licorice Basil. The plant produces high yields of basil leaves with purple flowers. It is a popular basil variety prized for its distinct sweet, licorice-like aroma and taste. Excellent with fish, salads, gourmet dishes, teas, desserts, garnish, and Asian dishes. Used to treat headaches, stress, digestive health, and inflammation. Also known as Persian Basil and Anise Basil. Suitable for containers. Excellent choice for herb gardens. A variety from the USA.

60 days. Ocimum americanum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Lime Basil Seeds. The plant produces good yields of 2" long lime-flavored basil leaves. Excellent with salads and fish dishes. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for home gardens. A variety from Thailand.

60 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Mrs Burn's Lemon Basil. The plant produces good yields of 2 ½” long lemon-flavored basil leaves. It is a popular heirloom basil variety prized for its intense lemon-citrus fragrance and flavor, stronger than typical lemon basil, with larger, bright green leaves, white-to-pinkish flowers, and a robust, productive growth habit. The finest lemon basil around and the most lemony of all lemon basil. Excellent for making vinegar and seafood dishes. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for home gardens. An heirloom variety from New Mexico, USA.

75 days. Ocimum basilicum. Open Pollinated. Annual. Napoletano Basil. The plant produces good yields of giant basil leaves, 3" long by 2" wide. A popular basil variety prized for its very large, light-green, crinkled or blistered (“bolloso”) leaves and strong, sweet-aromatic flavor with a mild anise note. The leaves are as big as your hand. Leaves are very flavorful and sometimes ruffled. Great for making spaghetti sauce, salads, and gourmet dishes. Slow to bolt. Also known as Bolloso Napoletano Basil, Gigante Napoletano Basil, Napolitano Mammoth-Leafed Basil. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for home gardens. A variety from Italy.

75 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. (F1) Nufar Basil. The plant produces good yields of 4" long basil leaves. This is the first fusarium resistant variety of basil. Used in sauces, salads, and Italian dishes. Suitable for greenhouse, hydroponic, and field production. A variety from the USA. Disease Resistant: FW.

75 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Osmin Basil. The plant produces good yields of deep burgundy red basil leaves. It is a popular basil variety prized for its striking dark maroon to deep burgundy-purple leaves, making it both an ornamental and culinary herb. It has beautiful pink flowers, and the leaves are very flavorful. It is the darkest of the purple basil. The leaves are smaller than Rubin basil and less prone to leaning. Great for pesto, salads, vinaigrettes, garnishes, and flavored oils and vinegars. Also attracts pollinators. Suitable for containers. United States Department of Agriculture, PI 599363. Excellent choice for herb gardens. A variety from the USA. 

68 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. (F1) Prospera Basil. The plant produces good yields of 3" glossy, medium-green basil leaves. This popular Genovese-type basil variety is bred for strong disease resistance, particularly to downy mildew and Fusarium wilt. This makes it especially valuable for gardeners and market growers in humid, rainy conditions where traditional basil varieties often struggle. Great for seasoning tomato dishes, garnishes, seasoned oils and vinegars, poultry, beef, stews, soups, and Italian dishes. Highly aromatic and attractive in the herb garden. High Humidity Tolerant. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for herb gardens, Farmer’s Markets, market growers, greenhouses, open production, and commercial production. Disease Resistant: DM, F.

74 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. (F1) Prospera Red Basil. The plant produces good yields of dark purple basil leaves. It is a popular basil variety prized for its striking dark purple leaves, Genovese basil flavor and aroma, and strong disease resistance. Perfect for adding seasoning to Italian and tomato dishes. Excellent as a garnish, seasoned oil, seasoned vinegar, or seasoning for poultry, beef, stews, and soups. It is very aromatic and attractive in the herb garden. Suitable for containers. First purple basil with resistance to Downy Mildew and Fusarium. High Humidity Tolerant. Bolt Resistant. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for herb gardens, Farmer’s Markets, market growers, greenhouses, open production, and commercial production. A variety from the USA. Disease Resistant: DM, F.

1987 All-America Selections Winner! 85 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Purple Ruffles Basil Seeds. The plant produces good yields of purple basil leaves. It is a popular basil variety prized for its large, deep purple-to-violet, ruffled fringed leaves, and pale pink-to-purple flower spikes. Excellent as a garnish, seasoned oil, seasoned vinegar, or seasoning for poultry, beef, stews, and soups. A very beautiful plant. Suitable for containers. Excellent choice for herb gardens. United States Department of Agriculture, PI 601365. A variety from the USA.

72 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Red Rubin Basil. The plant produces high yields of very flavorful 3" long reddish purple basil leaves with purple flowers. It is a popular sweet basil variety prized for its striking deep reddish-purple foliage, compact growth habit, and excellent culinary flavor. This is an improved version of the Dark Opal Basil. Perfect for pesto, salads, marinades, and garnishes, and making seasoned oil and vinegar. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for home gardens. A variety from Denmark.

1997 All-America Selections Winner! 75 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Siam Queen Basil Seeds. The plant produces very flavorful 4" long by 2" wide green basil leaves. This is an improved variety with an outstanding licorice fragrance and flavor. Used in tea, sauces, soups, salads, chicken, seafood, and Thai dishes. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for home gardens.

70 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Spicy Globe Bush Basil. This small compact bush plant produces very flavorful basil leaves. It is a popular compact, dwarf sweet basil variety that forms a tidy globe-shaped plant, making it excellent for containers, window boxes, edging, and small gardens. The plant has small, thin, light-green leaves with a strong, spicy-sweet basil aroma and flavor that is more intense than that of standard Genovese Basil. It is very slow to bolt. A great pollinator and friendly plant that attracts bees and butterflies. Used in sauces, salads, and Italian dishes. Very beautiful. Also known as Boxwood Basil. Suitable for containers and landscaping borders. An excellent choice for home gardens. A variety from the USA.

59 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Sweet Thai Basil. The plant produces very aromatic, spicy, anise-clove-scented basil leaves. It is a popular Southeast Asian basil variety known for its spicy, anise/clove flavor. It has a distinctive sweet, spicy, anise-licorice, and clove-like aroma and taste, stronger and more pungent than common Italian sweet basil. Used in many Thai, Vietnamese, and other Southeast Asian dishes. Also known as Horapha in Thailand and Hun Que in Vietnam. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for home gardens. A variety from Asia.

75 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Thai Basil Seeds. The plant produces high yields of basil leaves. It is a popular culinary herb from Southeast Asia used in Thai, Vietnamese, and other Asian dishes. It is a flavorful culinary herb with very aromatic leaves. It has a unique flavor unlike that of other traditional basil. The aroma is stronger, sweeter, and peppery. The Thai Basil has purple stems with green leaves. Excellent for soups, curry, and Vietnamese dishes. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for home gardens. A variety from Thailand.