Red Lettuce basil has big, crinkled leaves that grow to around 10 centimeters long and 7 centimeters wide. Its leaves are either a deep maroon color, or are bright green with maroon accents and spots. The leaves are aromatic, and offer a mild, sweet basil flavor with hints of cinnamon and pepper. They have the texture of a lettuce leaf with a crisp bite. Red Lettuce basil grows on a bushy plant of around 1 meter in height, and bears small, edible white or lilac flowers.