Sweet Thai is a well-known named Thai basil selection celebrated for its strong anise-licorice flavor and ornamental purple stems and flowers. It is a staple of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, added to curries, stir-fries, soups, and noodle dishes, where its bold, heat-stable flavor stands out. Sweet Thai produces compact, bushy plants with green leaves, purple-tinged stems, and showy purple flower spikes that are attractive in the garden. It is an open-pollinated variety more tolerant of heat and flowering than sweet Italian basils, keeping its flavor well as it blooms. Its dependable, robust anise character and decorative appearance make it one of the most popular Thai basil selections for cooks and gardeners.
Flavor Profile
Strong anise-licorice flavor with a spicy edge that stands up to cooking.
Visual Characteristics
Green leaves with purple stems and showy purple flower spikes on compact bushy plants reaching 12-18 inches.
Growing Tips
Heat- and bloom-tolerant, keeping flavor as it flowers; ideal for hot-summer gardens and Southeast Asian cooking.
Resistance Information
Disease Resistance
Moderate tolerance to common basil diseases
Where to Buy
Sourcing information coming soon. Check local nurseries and seed banks for availability.