Gardening isn't for everyone. You are completely allowed to have your own opinions ! Although perhaps we have a gap in our language here, since you seem to be against growing vegetables/herbs exclusively rather than what I'd call gardening which includes growing all plants, flowers, etc. Having a 'nice' looking garden (or at least one where you can sit comfortably) is the outcome of that sort of gardening.

There are very few vegetables where growing them makes yourself much sense (economically). There are a few where you can 'fire and forget' basically, but even then it's a up-to few hours preparing the soil. In my climate zone, mint would be one - it's basically a weed, so it will grow and spread by itself.

Also - you can't get Basil in store where you are? In the UK and Germany it's available either as fresh leaves, or as small plants costing about probably $1-2 each.