Italian Herb Essentials
Italian Kitchen Essentials
For pasta night, pizza, pesto, tomato sauces, roast chicken, and everyday Mediterranean cooking. 
Basil, Amazel®
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Italian sweet basil with long-lasting aromatic leaves and excellent kitchen yield.
Best for: Tomato dishes, pasta sauces, salads, poultry, herb vinegars
Pairs well with: Garlic, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary
Basil, Amethyst
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Sweet purple basil with striking dark leaves that double as a garnish.
Best for: Pastas, pizzas, sauces, salads, poultry
Pairs well with: Garlic, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary
Basil, Aroma 2
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Improved Genovese-style basil with classic fragrance and glossy green leaves.
Best for: Pastas, pizzas, sauces, salads
Pairs well with: Garlic, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary
Basil, Bonsai
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Greek basil with big basil flavor in tiny leaves—easy to use without chopping.
Best for: Pesto, Caprese, Italian sauces, pasta
Pairs well with: Chives, garlic, flat-leaf parsley, Italian oregano
Basil, Dolce Fresca
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Sweet tender basil on a compact plant that rebounds quickly after cutting.
Best for: Tomato dishes, pasta sauces, salads, poultry
Pairs well with: Garlic, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary
Basil, Emerald Towers
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Columnar Genovese-type basil with high yields of sweet leaves.
Best for: Tomato dishes, pasta sauces, salads, poultry
Pairs well with: Garlic, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary
Basil, Genovese
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Classic Italian sweet basil with extra-large fragrant leaves.
Best for: Pesto, Caprese, Italian sauces, pasta
Pairs well with: Chives, garlic, flat-leaf parsley, Italian oregano
Basil, Genovese Red Freddy
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Italian sweet basil with dark red leaves and bold savory flavor.
Best for: Pesto, Caprese, Italian sauces, pasta
Pairs well with: Chives, garlic, flat-leaf parsley, Italian oregano
Basil, Green Bouquet
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Sweet small-leaf basil that is less clove-like and especially versatile.
Best for: Salads, fish, meat, sauces, light pasta dishes
Pairs well with: Parsley, oregano, garlic, rosemary
Basil, Herbalea® Wild Magic
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Fruity purple-green basil with standout aroma for creative cooking.
Best for: Tomato dishes, pasta sauces, salads, poultry
Pairs well with: Chives, garlic, flat-leaf parsley, Italian oregano
Basil, Italian Large Leaf
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Big tender leaves with a sweeter-than-average Italian basil profile.
Best for: Pasta sauce and any Italian dish
Pairs well with: Garlic, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary
Basil, Mammoth
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Large lettuce-like basil leaves with extra-strong flavor.
Best for: Tomato dishes, pasta sauces, salads, sandwiches
Pairs well with: Garlic, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary
Basil, Prospera® Compact DMR
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Sweet Genovese-type basil with glossy leaves that are great fresh or in pesto.
Best for: Tomato dishes, pasta sauces, salads, herb vinegars
Pairs well with: Chives, garlic, flat-leaf parsley, Italian oregano
Basil, Purple Osmin
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Purple basil with a clove-like, slightly spicy edge.
Best for: Tomato dishes, pasta sauces, salads, poultry
Pairs well with: Garlic, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary
Basil, Purple Ruffles
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Ruffled purple basil with mild anise notes.
Best for: Tomato dishes, pasta sauces, salads, poultry
Pairs well with: Garlic, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary
Basil, Sweet
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Spicy everyday sweet basil that shines fresh and chopped over finished dishes.
Best for: Tomatoes, onions, peppers, potatoes, fish, fowl
Pairs well with: Garlic, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary
Basil, Valentino
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Large crinkled basil with strong fragrance and spicy flavor.
Best for: Eggplant, peppers, soups, salads, beans
Pairs well with: Garlic, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary
Bay Tree
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Woody, pungent bay leaves with a slightly minty aroma.
Best for: Soups, stews, tomato sauces, stuffing, marinades
Pairs well with: Basil, garlic, oregano, rosemary, thyme
Marjoram, Sweet
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Sweeter, softer cousin of oregano with balsam-like warmth.
Best for: Fish, vegetables, egg dishes, salads, stuffings, dressings
Pairs well with: Basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage
Marjoram, Zaatar
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Richly scented marjoram with spicy notes reminiscent of za’atar.
Best for: Fish, vegetables, egg dishes, salads, stuffing
Pairs well with: Basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage
Oregano, Golden
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: Robust creeping oregano with strong classic pizza-night flavor.
Best for: Pizza, Italian dishes, beef, pork, soups
Pairs well with: Basil, garlic, marjoram, rosemary, thyme
Oregano, Greek
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: Classic Mediterranean oregano, hardy and deeply savory.
Best for: Pizza, Italian dishes, beef, pork, soups
Pairs well with: Basil, garlic, marjoram, rosemary, thyme
Oregano, Hot And Spicy
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: Italian-style oregano with a fuller, spicier finish.
Best for: Pizza, Italian dishes, beef, pork, soups
Pairs well with: Basil, garlic, marjoram, rosemary, thyme
Oregano, Italian
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: All-purpose oregano-marjoram cross with strong spicy flavor.
Best for: Pizza, Italian dishes, beef, pork, soups
Pairs well with: Basil, garlic, tarragon, rosemary, thyme
Oregano, Thumbles Variety
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: Bushy oregano with gold foliage and classic savory use.
Best for: Pizza, Italian dishes, beef, pork, soups
Pairs well with: Basil, garlic, marjoram, rosemary, thyme
Parsley, Curled
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Mild, versatile parsley that brightens rich dishes and works as a fresh finish.
Best for: Egg dishes, potatoes, soups, pasta dishes, sauces.
Pairs well with: Basil, chervil, chives, dill, fennel, oregano
Parsley, Giant of Italy
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: High-yield Italian parsley with full flavor and generous leaves.
Best for: Garnishes, soups, sauces
Pairs well with: Basil, chervil, chives, dill, fennel, oregano
Parsley, Italian
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Stronger, flat-style parsley with darker leaves and a bold, fresh taste.
Best for: Egg dishes, potatoes, soups, pasta dishes, sauces.
Pairs well with: Basil, chervil, chives, dill, fennel, oregano
Rosemary, Arp
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Piney rosemary with cooling, minty aroma and savory depth.
Best for: Breads, lamb, pork, poultry, potatoes
Pairs well with: Basil, garlic, marjoram, oregano, sage, thyme
Rosemary, Barbecue
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Bold rosemary with stems that can go right on the grill.
Best for: Breads, lamb, pork, poultry, potatoes
Pairs well with: Basil, garlic, marjoram, oregano, sage, thyme
Rosemary, Cascade
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Shiny-leaf rosemary with a classic woody, peppery profile.
Best for: Breads, lamb, pork, poultry, potatoes
Pairs well with: Basil, garlic, marjoram, oregano, sage, thyme
Rosemary, Common
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: The classic all-purpose rosemary for everyday savory cooking.
Best for: Breads, lamb, pork, poultry, potatoes
Pairs well with: Basil, garlic, marjoram, oregano, sage, thyme
Rosemary, Salem
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Strong pine-scented rosemary with stems perfect for skewers.
Best for: Breads, lamb, pork, poultry, potatoes
Pairs well with: Basil, garlic, marjoram, oregano, sage, thyme
Rosemary, Tuscan Blue
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Upright, broad-growing rosemary with rich savory fragrance.
Best for: Breads, lamb, pork, poultry, potatoes
Pairs well with: Basil, garlic, marjoram, oregano, sage, thyme
Savory, Summer
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Mediterranean savory that brings punch to mild foods without overwhelming them.
Best for: Egg dishes, casseroles, pork, poultry, soups, and vegetables
Pairs well with: Basil, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, tarragon, thyme
Savory, Winter
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: A sturdier savory with classic peppery herb-garden flavor.
Best for: Egg dishes, casseroles, pork, poultry, soups, and vegetables
Pairs well with: Basil, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, tarragon, thyme
Thyme, Coconut
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: Warm savory thyme on a vigorous creeping plant.
Best for: Soups, casseroles, sauces, gravies, potato salad, stuffing
Pairs well with: Basil, bay leaves, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage
Thyme, Doone Valley
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: Lemon-scented thyme with bright variegated foliage.
Best for: Soups, casseroles, sauces, gravies, potato salad, stuffing
Pairs well with: Basil, bay leaves, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage
Thyme, Elfin
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: Tiny-leaf thyme with classic warming savory flavor.
Best for: Soups, casseroles, sauces, gravies, potato salad, stuffing
Pairs well with: Basil, bay leaves, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage
Thyme, English
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: One of the best-loved upright thymes for all-purpose savory cooking.
Best for: Soups, casseroles, sauces, gravies, potato salad, stuffing
Pairs well with: Basil, bay leaves, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage
Thyme, French
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Annual
Flavor profile: Sweeter thyme prized as the best culinary variety for French cooking.
Best for: Soups, casseroles, sauces, gravies, potato salad, stuffing
Pairs well with: Basil, bay leaves, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage
Thyme, Lavender
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: Mild lavender-scented thyme with gentle floral character.
Best for: Soups, casseroles, sauces, gravies, potato salad, stuffing
Pairs well with: Basil, bay leaves, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage
Thyme, Lemon
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: Classic thyme with a bright lemon lift.
Best for: Soups, casseroles, sauces, gravies, potato salad, stuffing
Pairs well with: Basil, bay leaves, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage
Thyme, Lemon Creeping
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: Intensely lemony thyme, especially good with lighter savory dishes.
Best for: Soups, casseroles, sauces, gravies, poultry, fish
Pairs well with: Basil, bay leaves, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage
Thyme, Lime
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: Semi-upright thyme with a mild citrus scent.
Best for: Fish, poultry, stuffing, soup
Pairs well with: Basil, bay leaves, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage
Thyme, Magic Carpet
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: Low-growing thyme whose dried leaves season meat, fish, poultry, and vegetables.
Best for: Poultry, fish, meat, vegetables
Pairs well with: Basil, bay leaves, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage
Thyme, Mother of
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: Edible dark green thyme, though better admired than heavily cooked with.
Best for: Ornamental edible use
Pairs well with: Basil, bay leaves, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage
Thyme, Pink Chintz
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: Creeping thyme, whose dried leaves work well in savory dishes.
Best for: Poultry, fish, meat, vegetables
Pairs well with: Basil, bay leaves, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage
Thyme, Red Creeping
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: Dense creeping thyme with classic savory kitchen uses.
Best for: Soups, casseroles, sauces, gravies, potato salad, stuffing
Pairs well with: Basil, bay leaves, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage
Thyme, Silver
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: Lemony thyme is especially good with fish, eggs, and cream sauces.
Best for: Fish, eggs, cream sauces
Pairs well with: Basil, bay leaves, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage
Thyme, Spicy Orange
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: Orange- and spice-scented thyme for adventurous savory cooking.
Best for: Seasoning and specialty savory dishes
Pairs well with: Basil, bay leaves, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage
Thyme, Variegated Golden Lemon
Style: Culinary herb
Plant type: Perennial
Flavor profile: Upright golden lemon thyme with bright citrus-herb flavor.
Best for: Soups, casseroles, sauces, gravies, potato salad, stuffing
Pairs well with: Basil, bay leaves, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage