Basil plants are a popular herb among gardeners of all skill levels. Apart from being easy to grow, basil plants offer an abundance of benefits and have countless uses.
Besides being a culinary herb, the basil plant is a natural repellent against mosquitoes, flies, and other pests common in gardens. Planting basil near your other plants helps keep them pest-free. Additionally, basil attracts beneficial insects, like bees and other pollinators.
Contrary to common misconception, there isn’t just one kind of basil. At The Growers Exchange, we offer a variety of basil plants for you to choose from.
Types of Basil Plants at Growers Exchange
The following are some of the basil herbs we grow and offer our customers.
Genovese Basil is an essential ingredient in Italian cuisine. It originates from Genoa, Italy, and boasts a sweet taste with subtle notes of mint and clove. This versatile basil is primarily used in fresh dishes such as Caprese salad or as the main ingredient in a traditional pesto sauce.
Genovese basil thrives in well-drained soil, with at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Watering regularly, pruning and harvesting the leaves promote bushier growth and prevent the plant from flowering early.
Also known as Tulsi or Indian Holy Basil, this herb is revered for its spiritual and medicinal qualities. Holy Green Basil has a taste that is spicier and more complex than Genovese Basil. It is popular in Ayurvedic medicine and is used to help prevent colds. Holy Green Basil also flavors many traditional Indian dishes and chai.
Holy Green Basil requires full sun and moist, well-drained soil to flourish. Regular watering and pruning encourage optimal growth. However, be sure never to prune more than 50% of its leaves, as doing so could stress the plant.
Italian Large Leaf Basil is a Genovese Basil cultivar with similar sweet notes and culinary uses. The main difference lies in the size of the leaves. This variety produces larger leaves, making it an ideal plant to grow for those who use a lot of basil in their cooking.
Italian Large Leaf Basil has similar requirements as Genovese Basil: well-drained soil, full sun and regular pruning to promote healthy growth.
With its striking purple leaves, Amethyst Basil adds beauty to any garden. Its leaves taste similar to Genovese Basil. Amethyst Basil is perfect for adding flavor and color to salads, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and other dishes requiring sweet basil.
If allowed to bloom, Amethyst Basil produces lovely pink flowers. Since they deter pests like aphids and mosquitoes, they make a wonderful companion plant.
This basil variety thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Similar care to other basil types, including regular watering, pruning, and harvesting, helps ensure healthy growth.
Lemon Sweet Dani Basil is a hybrid basil variety known for its fragrant, lemon-scented leaves. This basil is ideal for adding a refreshing citrus twist to your culinary creations, including fish dishes, chicken recipes and even desserts.
Preferring well-drained soil and ample sunlight, Lemon Sweet Dani Basil requires a similar growing environment and care as other basil types.
Thai Siam Queen Basil’s sweet, spicy and bold flavor is often described as similar to cloves or licorice, while its aroma is likened to anise. This basil is typically not consumed raw because of its strong taste and scent. Instead, it is used to flavor a wide variety of Thai dishes, like tom yum soup and curries, as well as stir-fries and salads.
Thai Siam Queen Basil prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Pruning and watering regularly support plant growth. If allowed to bloom, Thai Siam Queen Basil produces stunning deep purple spires.
Pesto Perpetuo Basil is a variegated, columnar basil variety with a slightly milder taste than Genovese Basil. This non-flowering basil produces a continuous supply of leaves throughout the growing season, living up to its name.
Pesto Perpetuo Basil does best in moist and well-drained soil – it is crucial not to allow it to get too dry. It requires full sun and adequate watering. Regular pruning helps result in a taller, stronger plant.
Your Source for Healthy, High-quality Basil Plants and Other Herbs
Each type of basil plant offers unique flavors, qualities and growth habits. They make lovely additions to indoor containers, kitchens and outdoor gardens, thanks to their attractive appearance, natural pest-repelling properties as well as their many culinary and medicinal uses.
At The Growers Exchange, we take pride in our wide selection of healthy, sustainably grown basil plants for sale. We are passionate about growing high-quality herbs and sharing our gardening knowledge with our community.
View our selection, and order thriving herb plants to add to your garden!
