Basil: varieties, growing and uses
Warmth, tender tips and a scent you notice as you walk past: basil turns a small pot into a summer harvest spot. Put an ordinary green basil beside lemon basil and a purple form to taste much more than the familiar pesto herb.
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
- Use
- Sweet basil is aromatic; Thai basil has anise-like notes. Lemon and cinnamon forms have their own recognisable scents. A cultivar name alone does not prove a stronger aroma.
- Care
- Warm, sheltered and bright; outdoors only with reliably warm nights. Keep the root zone evenly moist, never wet for long periods.
- Harvest and flowering
- Cut shoot tips above a pair of leaves and leave enough foliage. Add fresh leaves towards the end of cooking.
Discover varieties and growth habits
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Aroma 2
Large green leaves, vigorous F1 variety.
Gebruik: Zoet en aromatisch; door RHS op rasniveau beschreven.
Large green leaves, vigorous F1 variety.
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This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Mrs Burns' Lemon
Citroengeur naast het klassieke pestokruid.
Gebruik: Sterke citroengeur en -smaak.
Citroengeur naast het klassieke pestokruid.
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This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Pluto
Een klein rond struikje voor potten.
Gebruik: Sterk aromatische kleine bladeren.
Een klein rond struikje voor potten.
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This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Thai Sita
Thaise basilicum met paarse bloeiaren.
Gebruik: Anijsachtige smaak op niveau van Thaise basilicum, niet afzonderlijk bewezen voor dit ras.
Flavour of the species; a separate flavour profile for this variety has not yet been confirmed.Thaise basilicum met paarse bloeiaren.
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This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Roodbladige basilicum
Een echt kleurverschil in salade en tuin.
Gebruik: Aromatisch basilicumblad; geen apart smaakprofiel beloofd.
Flavour of the species; a separate flavour profile for this variety has not yet been confirmed.Een echt kleurverschil in salade en tuin.
View growing and harvesting →Place in my gardenChoose your way to grow
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Warm voorzaaien en uitplanten
Warmth, tender tips and a scent you notice as you walk past: basil turns a small pot into a summer harvest spot. Put an ordinary green basil beside lemon basil and a purple form to taste much more than the familiar pesto herb.
- Zaai dun in kleine potten op een warme lichte plek; houd het oppervlak voorzichtig vochtig.
- Pot bruikbare zaailingen apart op zodra ze meerdere bladeren hebben.
- Laat de jonge planten geleidelijk aan buitenlucht wennen en wacht op warme nachten.
- Knip later een scheut boven een bladpaar, zodat twee zijtakjes zichtbaar kunnen doorgroeien.
For an identifiable harvesting spot with enough room for this growth habit.
Een beschutte terraspot
A bright windowsill is a starting place, not a guarantee of a full winter harvest. Look at the plant: long, thin stems and little new foliage call for more light. A warm greenhouse offers more certainty than an open bed in a cool summer. Leave space between plants so the leaves can dry after watering.
- Kies een pot met vrije afwateringsgaten en zet hem beschut in het licht.
- Plant een niet-overvolle basilicumplant op dezelfde diepte als in de kweekpot.
- Voel regelmatig aan de grond en geef aan de basis water zonder de kluit nat te laten staan.
- Houd een groene plant voor bladoogst en laat eventueel een tweede exemplaar bloeien.
For a second growing position where you can compare shape, scent or harvesting rhythm.
How to create your own herb-growing space
Make a small trial arrangement on the patio: one larger green plant for pesto, a compact form by the kitchen door and a lemon variety beside the table. Label each variety. This lets you finish two identical dishes with different leaves and discover which aroma you really enjoy. Start with a little foliage; an unfamiliar scent in particular can quickly change a dish.
Choose a suitable growing position
A bright windowsill is a starting place, not a guarantee of a full winter harvest. Look at the plant: long, thin stems and little new foliage call for more light. A warm greenhouse offers more certainty than an open bed in a cool summer. Leave space between plants so the leaves can dry after watering.
From plant to kitchen
Snijd niet alleen losse grote bladeren van de onderkant. Een top boven een bladpaar maakt het oogsten overzichtelijk en houdt de plant vertakt. Reserveer desgewenst één exemplaar voor bloemen en insecten, en gebruik de rest voor de keuken. Je hoeft dan niet te kiezen tussen alle bloemen weghalen en geen mals blad meer overhouden.
Scent, flavour and use
Sweet basil is aromatic; Thai basil has anise-like notes. Lemon and cinnamon forms have their own recognisable scents. A cultivar name alone does not prove a stronger aroma.
Care, cutting and harvesting
Warm, sheltered and bright; outdoors only with reliably warm nights. Keep the root zone evenly moist, never wet for long periods.
Pinch out regularly during active growth. Remove developing flower stalks for a longer leaf harvest; optionally let a separate plant flower.
Cut shoot tips above a pair of leaves and leave enough foliage. Add fresh leaves towards the end of cooking.
Cutting, caring and following the season
Pinch out regularly during active growth. Remove developing flower stalks for a longer leaf harvest; optionally let a separate plant flower.
What you need
Tick what you already have. The extras depend on how you grow.
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Make it your garden
Save your favourite variety or add it to My garden. Your own observations determine the growth stage; care tasks are based on the species.
Place Basilicum in my gardenExplore more in kruidenSources and image information
SeedSteps editorial team · checked on 13 October 2026. Flavour descriptions come from the listed sources; ripeness and growing conditions affect flavour. AI images illustrate described characteristics and do not prove cultivar identity.
- World Checklist of Vascular Plants — 4 juni 2026Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · 2026-10-07
- Herbs – Real Life, Good FoodUniversity of Minnesota Extension · 2026-10-13
- How to grow basilRoyal Horticultural Society · 2026-10-13
- Growing herbs in home gardensUniversity of Minnesota Extension · 2026-10-13