- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
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Variety Info
Family: Laminaceae
Type: Basil (Learn more)
Native: Probably Africa, but in cultivation for so long that it cannot be verified.
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Plant Dimensions: 24"–36" tall, 8"–12" wide
Variety Info: Deep green, glossy leaves on a columnar plant, well-branching with short internodes.
Attributes: Frost Sensitive, Good for Containers
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F, ideally 65°–85°F. Successive Sowings: We recommend 3 or 4 successive sowings every 3 weeks after initial sowing.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting outside. Transplant when your nighttime temperatures are above 50°F.
Days to Emerge: 5 – 10 Days
Seed Depth: ¼"
Seed Spacing: A group of 2 seeds every 12"
Row Spacing: 12"
Thinning: When 2" tall, thin to 1 every 12"
Your hardiness zone is
Growing Info
Harvesting: Basil flavor is best before the plant flowers. Harvest up to 1/3 of the plant at a time, leaving enough for the plant to be healthy and keep producing. Harvest prior to a freeze; basil is very frost sensitive.
- Justin M.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars1/3/26True to its name
I have to say that I am quite impressed with this basil, I planted some in spring of last year and it lasted way into late September and early October before it even showed signs of bolting Will definitely be including it in the garden from now on!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests1/3/26Hey Justin,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with our Everleaf Emerald Towers Basil Seeds! We're absolutely thrilled to hear that it truly lived up to its name and impressed you with its incredible longevity! Having basil that lasts from spring all the way into late September and early October without bolting is exactly what makes this variety so special. We love that you're planning to include it in your garden from now on - that's the best compliment we could ask for! Thank you for choosing us and for sharing your growing success with us. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Aaron a. L. B.NY, United StatesVerified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 stars12/27/25Really good for pesto
I have grown these for the past 2 years and they are by far the best grower in my garden. Last year I planted them in my raised bed, in ground, and in containers and they all did excellent. Mine grew to about 4 feet tall and 1 ft wide. Slow to bolt but do like lots of water when it is really hot.
Which best describes you as a gardener? BeginnerWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? Raised BedBIBotanical Interests12/30/25Hey Aaron,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your incredible experience with our Everleaf Emerald Towers Basil Seeds! We're absolutely thrilled to hear that these have been your best growers for the past 2 years - that's amazing! It sounds like you really put them to the test growing them in raised beds, in ground, and containers, and we love that they excelled in every setup. Those 4-foot tall towers must have given you an incredible harvest for all that delicious pesto! We appreciate the helpful growing tips about their watering needs during hot weather and their slow bolting tendency. Thank you for your continued trust in us and for sharing your growing success with us. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Joyce Z.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars12/4/25Basil for a winter's day pasta sauce
Started six plants for indoor growing, some to keep and some to gift. All geminated on the first pass and continue to thrive. Nice compact profile for indoor growing and strategic pruning for culinary use. Bravo to Botanical Interests/Epic Gardening - from a decades-long Botanical Interests customer!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests12/7/25Hey Joyce,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with our Everleaf Emerald Towers Basil Seeds! We're absolutely thrilled to hear that all six plants germinated perfectly on the first try and are continuing to thrive indoors - that's fantastic! We love that you're finding the compact profile perfect for indoor growing and strategic culinary pruning. There's nothing quite like fresh basil for winter pasta sauces! It's so wonderful that you're sharing some plants as gifts too - what a thoughtful way to spread the joy of fresh herbs! As a decades-long Botanical Interests customer, your feedback means the world to us. Thank you for your continued trust and for sharing your growing success with us. Keep on growing 🌻️
- KRISTINA S.Verified BuyerRated 1 out of 5 stars10/19/25Did not sprout
Did not sprout
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests10/28/25Hey KRISTINA,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I've reached out to you via email to offer assistance. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring your experience is positive. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻️
- JKDE, United StatesVerified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 stars8/12/25Fantastic basil
This cultivar is a most amazing plant. It is easily 2-1/2 feet tall with 2 growing side-by-side in my raised bed (near Sungold cherry tomatoes) - it looks like a hedge but with a most desirable scent! The flavor is delicious in Caprese salad and in mixed salads. I have 3 growing in the garden in total and, despite not being able to utilize enough, it is showing no signs of bolting. Kudos to Epic for this wonderful herb. Also, 100% germination rate of 8 seeds on heat mat. Very pleased with purchase and have ordered more of these seeds for next year already.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? In Ground