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Choosing Varieties of Basil Plants

Gardening Guide: The Basil Grower’s Guide: All You Need to Know About Growing and Cooking with Basil

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Choosing Varieties of Basil Plants

By Norann Oleson

Varieties of basil

Growing basil in your home garden is all about controlling and enjoying the growing process; being able to harvest and use fresh basil while it’s still fresh (not days or weeks old, like what you might buy in the grocery store); and saving money (store-bought fresh basil can be expensive, besides being not-so-fresh!).

But, first you have to choose your plants—and you have many choices of types of basil that you can grow in your garden. The key thing to remember is to decide what your goals are first:

  • Are you growing basil just for culinary purposes? Then, you’ll want to make sure you consider what types of basil you’ll need for your recipes and cooking.
  • Are you growing basil as a companion plant, to help other plants fend off pests or to spot watering needs in sections of your garden? If this is the case, you can choose almost any variety of basil that’s easy for you to obtain.
  • Are you growing basil for decorative purposes in your garden? Then, please consider some of the unusual colors and styles of both the leaves and the flowers when choosing your basil plants.
  • Or, perhaps, are you trying to achieve a little of all these goals—basil for cooking, basil as a companion plant, and basil to make your garden look great?

Whatever your goals, please check out our Plant Profiles section, to see which varieties of basil plants will best suit your needs.

What types of basil are you planning for your garden? What are your goals for your basil—are you planning to cook with your basil harvest? Please share your opinion.

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Tags

basil, growing basil, varieties of basil plants

Comments
  • Deborah S. May 20, 2022

    I’m growing basil to help my tomatoes. I chose the purple basil because it wasn’t green… lol. I grew one years ago and used it I pasta salads and the purple leaves really added to how it looked. My mom always said “you eat with your eyes first” and stressed how important presentation is.
    I didn’t know there were so many types of basil. I learn so much from this group.

    Reply
    • Norann O. June 2, 2022

      Deborah,
      I agree, purple basil is stunning in a salad but have you ever made it into pesto? Trust me, it looks like mud. So now I like to grow both green and purple varieties – purple for when I’m using it fresh and green for pesto .

      Happy Gardening!

      Reply

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Curator’s Corner
  • Introduction
  • Feature Articles

  • Choosing Varieties of Basil Plants
  • Growing Basil from Seeds, Cuttings or Seedlings
  • Growing Basil Indoors, in Open Land, in Raised Beds, or in Containers
  • Starting with the Right Soil for Your Basil Plants
  • The Right Sunlight for Your Basil Plants
  • Watering Your Basil Plants
  • How to Spot, Treat, and Prevent Basil-Plant Diseases
  • What to Do About Pests that Can Harm Your Basil Plants
  • Essential Tools and Equipment for Growing and Enjoying Basil
  • Plant Profiles

  • Cinnamon Basil
  • Lemon Basil
  • Purple Basil
  • Green Ruffles Basil
  • Thai Basil
  • Sweet Basil
  • Recipes

  • Basil-Watermelon Salad
  • Basil-Potato Frittata
  • Basil Ice Cream
  • Easy Capellini with Basil and Tomatoes
  • Roasted Tomato-Basil Soup
  • Basil-Lemon Grilled Chicken
  • Basil Pesto
  • Additional Articles

  • Nutrition Facts about Basil
  • Home Remedies & Health Benefits of Basil
  • Resources about Basil
  • Basil Glossary
  • Related Articles

  • 10 Helpful Plants for Bug Control in Your Kitchen Garden
  • How Much Water Does Basil Need?
  • An Edible Plant that Deters Mosquitoes for Your Vegetable Garden
  • From Fresh Basil to Dried: How to Dry, Measure, and Store Basil
  • 5 Different Types of Basil Gardeners and Chefs Love
  • The Basil Grower’s Guide—All You Need to Know About Growing and Cooking with Basil

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