- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
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: 18" tall, 8"–12" wide
Variety Info: Traditional Genovese-type basil with 3"–4" dark green, cupped leaves. Plant has intermediate resistance to downy mildew and Fusarium wilt.
Attributes: Frost Sensitive
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: 1/4"
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.
Special Care: Mulching soil will help retain moisture, but do so after soil has warmed up so as not to slow growth. Once basil has 3 to 4 sets of leaves, pinch the top to encourage branching. Pinch off flower buds as they appear for best leaf flavor.