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- Hydroponic & Container Basil Varieties | Comparison Charts | Faster-Growing, Slower-Growing & Specialty Varieties
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Hydroponic & Container Basil Varieties • Comparison Charts
Faster-Growing, Slower-Growing & Specialty Varieties
NOTES
The containers shown in the images below are all 4" pots, except for the Greek variety 'Spicy Bush.'
We additionally offer a full-color, printable PDF version of this chart, which includes a side-by-side visual comparison of most of the varieties, for additional reference to their relative size.
For more information, see our Hydroponic & Container Basil Guide.
Type | Variety | Description & Recommendation | Benefits | Disadvantages | Common Uses | Seed Forms Offered |
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FASTER-GROWING VARIETIES | ||||||
GENOVESE / PESTO |
![]() 'Aroma 2' |
Popular choice for hydroponic growers because of uniformity and fast growth. |
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Preferred Uses:
Secondary Uses:
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![]() 'Dolly' |
Genovese appearance, with Italian Large Leaf-type yields. Performs well in containers. While used successfully by experienced hydroponic growers, not recommended for those new to hydroponic production because of sensitivity to nutrient imbalances. |
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![]() 'Genovese' |
Recommended only for harvest of individual leaves, stems, or bunches, due to lack of uniformity in plant height and habit. |
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Preferred Uses:
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![]() 'Prospera® DMR (CG1)' |
Use during times of downy mildew pressure. Very similar to 'Aroma 2.' Uniform and fast-growing. |
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Preferred Uses:
Secondary Uses:
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![]() 'Prospera® DMR (PS5)' |
Use during times of downy mildew pressure. Semi-compact variety for tip harvest, bunching, or live plant production. Uniform and moderately fast growing. |
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Preferred Uses:
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ITALIAN LARGE LEAF |
![]() 'Newton' |
Uniform and fast growing. Very similar to 'Nufar,' but with a preferable traditional Italian flavor / aroma. |
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Preferred Uses:
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![]() 'Nufar' |
Popular choice for hydroponic growers because of its uniformity and fast growth. |
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Preferred Uses:
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![]() 'Prospera® Italian Large Leaf DMR (ILL2)' |
Use during times of downy mildew pressure. Very similar to 'Nufar.' Uniform and fast growing. |
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Preferred Uses:
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Type | Variety | Description & Recommendation | Benefits | Disadvantages | Common Uses | Seed Forms Offered |
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SLOWER-GROWING VARIETIES | ||||||
COMPACT GENOVESE / PESTO | ||||||
![]() 'Everleaf' |
Compact variety that is ideal when attractive, full, uniform live plants are desired.
NOTE: Because the plant architecture is so dense, a seeding rate of 2–5 seeds per 4" pot is recommended. |
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Preferred Uses:
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![]() 'Genovese Compact Improved' |
Uniform, compact plants with large leaves are lush and attractive for live-plant sales. |
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Preferred Uses:
Secondary Uses:
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![]() 'Prospera® Compact DMR (PL4)' |
Use during times of downy mildew pressure. Compact plants with attractive, cupped leaves are ideal for full, uniform live plants. |
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Preferred Uses:
Live plant in container or with growing medium attached. Secondary Uses: Individual leaves packaged in clamshells or bags (a faster-growing standard Genovese is preferable if leaf harvest is primary purpose). |
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![]() 'Winner' |
Semi-compact plants with very large leaves. Performs very well in containers. Ideal for full, uniform live plants. |
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Preferred Uses:
Live plant in container or with growing medium attached. Secondary Uses: Individual leaves packaged in clamshells or bags (a faster-growing standard Genovese is preferable if leaf harvest is primary purpose). |
Type | Variety | Description | Seed Forms Offered |
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SPECIALTY VARIETIES | |||
RED / PURPLE |
![]() 'Amethyst Improved' |
Purple basil most like Genovese, with shiny cupped leaves. | |
![]() 'Red Rubin' |
Uniform red basil with sturdy, productive plant habit. | ||
![]() 'Dark Opal' |
Fast-growing red basil with slightly ruffled leaves and a sweeter aroma. | ||
![]() 'Prospera Red DMR' |
Downy mildew and Fusarium-resistant red basil, with Genovese-like flavor and leaf shape. | ||
ASIAN / THAI |
![]() 'Sweet Thai' |
Popular Thai variety with spicy leaves that are smaller than those of traditional basil types, on compact plant. | |
![]() 'Cardinal' |
Large leaves; compact plant. | ||
![]() 'Cinnamon' |
Large leaves; fast-growing, tall plant. | ||
![]() 'Aromatto' |
Large leaves; fast-growing, tall plant. | ||
![]() 'Everleaf Thai Towers' |
Vigorous plant with small spaces between internodes, making for very full-looking plants. Medium-sized, heart-shaped, glossy green leaves with a purple blush and stems. Deep, Thai / anise aroma. Very slow bolting. | ||
CITRUS |
![]() 'Mrs. Burns' Lemon' |
Vigorous, fast growing; medium-sized leaves with intense, lemony aroma / flavor profile. | |
![]() 'Lime' |
Leaves smaller than those of traditional basil types, with characteristically zesty aroma / flavor profile. | ||
GREEK | ![]() 'Spicy Bush' |
Largest of the Greek basils but still compact; spicy flavor. | |
LETTUCE LEAF |
![]() 'Tuscany' |
Very large leaves; compact plant. |