It's not that easy to pick out your favorite variety from the diverse basil genus. The following overview presents recommended species and varieties for cultivation in beds and on the balcony.
What types of basil are there?
Popular basil varieties include Genovese, Rosso, a Foglia di Lattuga, Great Green and Dark Opal. More exotic varieties include Thai basil such as Horapa, Bai Maenglak and Bai Kaprao as well as shrub basil species such as Gorbachev, Cuba, Pesto Perpetuo and African Blue.
Classic with Mediterranean charm
Among the more than 60 wild species, we are particularly impressed by the varieties of Ocimum basilicum. This species impresses with its diverse cultural forms, which are characterized by individual leaf and growth forms as well as a unique aroma:
- Genovese: the undisputed top dog among basil varieties, with large, juicy green leaves
- Rosso: scores with dark red foliage and an intense taste
- a Foglia di lattuga: the Neapolitan classic with unmissable, wavy leaves
- Large green: develops a powerful habit and is at the same time well weather-resistant
- Dark Opal: with purple leaves and a pink flower a real feast for the eyes in every garden
With their delicate leaves, the classics thrive as annuals in the garden and on the balcony. If you want to preserve the incomparable aroma, you should pickle them freshly harvested, freeze them or dry them.
Trendy and perennial – Thai basil
The following species and varieties play in a flavor league of their own within the large basil family. If you don't know what you're talking about, you'll lump these species together under the name Thai basil. They have quite remarkable differences:
- Horapa: also known as 'sweet basil', impresses with a taste reminiscent of anise and licorice
- Bai Maenglak: aptly called 'lemon basil', refines fish, drinks and soups, freezes well
- Bai Kaprao: slightly warmed, it tastes of cloves and cinnamon, ideal for perennial cultivation
Basil from distant lands
The cosmopolitan hobby gardeners will be interested in the following basil species from all over the world:
- Russian shrub basil 'Gorbachow': white flowers on decorative red stems and a delicate taste
- Cuban bush basil 'Cuba': with small, green leaves and little urge to flower
- White variegated shrub basil 'Pesto Perpetuo': creates a magical eye-catcher with variegated foliage
- Red-green shrub basil 'African Blue': like all African basil species, ideal as a perennial plant
Tips & Tricks
With the basil tree (ocimum gratissimum), a species that can reach a height of up to 150 centimeters migrated to Europe from India. Its leaves exude a pleasant clove aroma and are at the same time so robust that overwintering seems quite realistic.
