Higher plants produce various secondary metabolites that are used widely as food additives, food colorants, pharmaceuticals, pesticides and fragrances. 'Ocimum' of Lamiaceae is famous around the world for its diverse and rich source of pharmaceutical, culinary and aromatic properties. Biotechnology brought in plant cell culture technology and has been considered for long, an attractive alternative source to whole plants for the production of valuable secondary metabolites. This review focuses on the importance and aim of these plant cell cultures, strategies developed over years for the improved production of secondary metabolites; both in quality and quantity, plant cell cultures established successfully on an industrial scale and of how the same could be applied to the genus Ocimum. Recent findings in Ocimum basilicum L., Ocimum sanctum L. and Ocimum gratissimum L. cell culture technology have also been taken into consideration for this review.