Thai Basil, Ocimum basilicum, is known as bai horapa in Thailand and hun que in Vietnam. Lush green leaves and purplish flowers have sweet basil fragrance with anise overtones. Indispensable in Thai green and red curries, and spicy stir fry dishes. Delightful with other herbs on raw vegetable platters, or with spicy salads and chili dips. Also useful as a garnish for sweet dishes or as a spicy pesto. Grows 12-18 inches tall.  Plant in full sun, in rich soil with adequate fertilizer. Pinch blooms to shape and encourage leaf growth. More about Thai Basil.

Lemongrass, Cymbopogon citrates, is valued in the garden for its fresh lemony fragrance, carefree ornamental appearance and toughness. Unlike many ornamental grasses, it has no sharp edges to cut skin, so is safe to grow near walkways or where children play. Fleshy basal stalks are an essential flavoring ingredient in many Thai and Vietnamese recipes. Use the leaves for teas, cooking, and potpourri. Lemongrass is easy to grow, and adapts well to partial shade and moist conditions. Plants are fast growing and can get quite large – up to 3 feet tall and wide – but are not invasive.  

Thai Chili Pepper, Capsicum frutescens, is a very hot pepper variety (50,000 to 100,000 on the Scoville pungency scale). It is known as prik ki nu in Thailand, its home of origin. Plants grow to about 12 inches, and become covered with 1 ½ inch to 3 inch long peppers that are green at first but ripen to red. Both colors appear on the plant at the same time, making this variety ornamental as well as edible. Peppers are thin fleshed. Use fresh or dried.

Red Shiso, Perilla frutescens, also called “Japanese Basil,” is a popular ingredient in Japanese cooking. Leaves have a unique, mild flavor and can be used as a wrap for steamed fish, as an addition to stir fried dishes or prepared as tempura.  Shiso is also often seen as a garnish on sushi platters. This attractive warm weather annual grows to 3 feet tall. Large serrated heart shaped leaves are a bronzy red. Plant in full sun or afternoon shade. Pinch back frequently to keep plants bushy and to prevent flowering.
Grow your own kaffir lime!