Organic Italian Large Leaf basil seeds are a staple to any thriving Organic herb garden. A member of the sweet basil varieties, ocimum basilicum is easily the most common basil herb, used in a variety of cuisines. Organic Italian Large Leaf can adapt to an array of growing environments, including urban container herb gardens to full-fledged outdoor herb gardens. This Organic sweet basil has aromatic properties. The lemony-sweet scent of basil is unattractive to aphids, mites, and hornworms, keeping them away from your other herbs and plants.
Basil Herb Growing Guide
How to Grow Basil Herb from Seed
* Scientific Name: Genus Ocimum
* Hardiness Zone: Annual
* Days to Harvest: 50-60 days (from date of transplanting)
* Days to Maturity: 70 days
* Days to Germination: 5-10
* Seeding Depth: ½”
* Plant Width: 9-12"
* Plant Height: 12-24"
* Growth Habit: Tender and leafy bush/shrub
* Soil Preference: Consistently moist, fertile, well-drained
* Temp Preference: Warmer, 70-80°F
* Light Preference: Full sun
* Pests/Diseases: Susceptible to rot and mildew in overly saturated, heavy, and poorly drained soil. Basil does not have too many pests or insects and is generally seeded in the garden to help minimize pests.
How to Grow Basil from Seed
* Minimum 4-6 hours sunlight
* Warm, moist, and sunny gardens
* Can be sown direct or started indoors
Tender annual herbs such as basil are far easier to germinate and establish because their seeds are intended to rapidly mature for one brief season. Whereas more frost tolerant herbs with a lifespan of up to 10-20 years are known to have much slower germination times and rates, perhaps because the seed knows that it's got plenty of time to spare. Basil seeds also don’t require any period of cold stratification like the woody perennials because the basil genus Ocimum is native to the tropics and does not naturally benefit from any conditions below 50°F. Regardless of cultivar, basil needs a minimum of 4-6 hours sunlight per day but will gladly take much, much more.
Basil is a warm weather crop able to be grown both indoors and out for either culinary or ornamental use. For earliest and strongest starts, begin indoors 6-8 weeks prior to final spring frost and then transplant outdoors when temperatures have warmed to 50°F or better. Basil is also traditionally sown directly into the garden bed 1-2 weeks after the spring frost. Basil seeds are fairly small but not too difficult to handle, no more than mint or chamomile seeds, yet are surprisingly easy to thin out when so young. Plant 3-4 basil seeds ½” deep per cell or 3-4” apart in the garden in fertile, consistently moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Basil seeds are known to quickly germinate in about 5-10 days, sometimes up to 14, eventually thinning out the best and strongest seedlings for transplanting. Depending on size of the container, transplant 1-2 starts per pot or every 12-18” in the garden as true leaves establish.
Basil Soil
Basil requires the consistently moist, warm, and fertile soils of its native tropics without being too soggy or saturated. Although basil prefers moisture to drought, it still does not like stagnant water and should always be transplanted into containers, planters, and garden beds with reliable drainage. Because basil is a fragrant flowering annual, it thrives in composted, nutrient-rich soils and benefits from a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer 2-4 times throughout the season. Careful not to over fertilize plants which may cause some root burn. Unlike some perennial herbs, basil flavor is actually improved by the occasional fertilizer, whereas herbs such as sage are generally steered clear of many fertilizers. When transplanting indoor basil starts to a container or planter, amend potting soil with compost or worm castings as a more passive means of fertilizing than liquid chemicals. More times than not, this early composting will be enough for just about any basil plant to have a great season. Basil prefers mildly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5.
Watering Basil
* As needed in heavy summer heat
* Consistently moist but never soggy
* Susceptible to dehydration in containers
As a tender annual, basil is one of the most popular “windowsill” herbs because its attentive watering needs are easily met from the convenience of a kitchen counter or windowsill. Basil is temperamental to consistent summer heat above 95°F and will quickly show signs of wilting if not consistently moist. Plants grown in pots and containers are far more susceptible to dehydration than in the garden bed because containers guarantee a quick and reliable drainage, perhaps a little too quick and reliable. Whether grown indoors or out, be sure to give potted basil the attention it deserves.
Is Basil A Perennial?
No, basil is not a perennial. Members of the basil genus Ocimum are tender annuals that, at best, will reseed in optimal conditions. And as a member of the perennial mint family Lamiaceae, basil does not share the same perennial features such as a thick rhizome root system or ability to go dormant. Although by the end of the summer basil will have developed a slightly woody base similar to sage and oregano, it is not nearly enough to protect the plant through a winter frost. Basil thrives when grown together with other tender annuals and short-lived biennials such as cilantro, parsley, and dill. However, established basil plants can be grown indoors through the fall and winter, provided their sunlight, temperature, and watering needs are still met. Drying garden fresh herbs is the most popular and convenient way to enjoy your herb garden in winter.
Basil in Winter
* Not intended to overwinter
* Native to Asian and African tropics
* Not tolerant to conditions below 50°F
As mentioned, basil is not intended to overwinter and even gardeners in the warmest hardiness zones are going to be hard-pressed to keep their outdoor basil plant through winter. Mature basil started that spring may continue to grow indoors during the fall and winter for extended harvesting. If bringing potted basil indoors for the frost, be sure to provide a minimum of 5-6 hours of sunlight per day. Many growers are tempted to use grow lights while indoors but, although useful for seed germination, even the most powerful 6500K full spectrum grow lights can never substitute daily sunlight.
Growing Basil in Pots
Whether up on the windowsill, countertop, or a larger indoor herb garden, any variety of basil cultivated indoors must be done so in a convenient and moveable pot or container. Basil grown in pots can be easily moved either indoors or out to maximize daily sun, while able to be brought safely indoors during poor weather. Basil plants are one of the most widely popular herbs for maintaining in pots and containers despite not being ideally suited for either. Pots and planters are preferred for their ability to drain, helping to keep potting soil dry and free from waterlogging and saturation responsible for many types of mold, fungus, and rot. Be sure to check soil moisture daily and keep your basil watered when growing in pots, especially if grown outdoors and warm summer days. Most tender annual herbs such as basil, cilantro, or parsley are generally not advised to be grown in terra cotta or other clay-based pots because, although elegant and decorative, clay-based pots will dehydrate potting soil much quicker than any other means.
How to Care for Basil Plants in Pots
* Keep soil consistently moist
* Dehydration is the greatest threat
* Avoid clay-based pots such as terra cotta
If intending to cultivate basil in pots or planters, be sure to read our sections above for Basil Soil and Watering Basil. Especially when growing in pots, be sure to check the soil everyday to watch for dehydration, keeping the soil consistently moist but not saturated. Since pots are convenient and moveable, be sure to always provide basil with maximum sunlight by moving it around the yard or indoors throughout the day, season, and year.
Growing Basil Indoors
Basil is widely considered to be the premier “windowsill” herb because it grows as readily indoors as it does outdoors. Most grocery stores, greenhouses, and nurseries will often market potted basil plants as being as much of an indoor ornamental as a harvestable herb. Whether growing a tender annual such as basil or cilantro, or a frost-hardy perennial like sage or lavender, herbs intended for exclusive culinary use are almost always recommended to be grown indoors to best preserve the most fragrant and delicious leaves possible. Basil grown indoors doesn’t necessarily need to be “grown indoors” and can be simply placed outdoors for the entire season to best track optimal sun, and safely brought back indoors during a chill or inclement weather. Basil plants kept indoors for most of their annual growth should still receive a minimum 6-8 hours of sunlight to ensure best flavor. Herbs and leafy greens grown solely under artificial indoor lights will never taste the same as those grown under full natural sun.
Pruning Basil
Because basil is a tender and short-lived annual, regular pruning and pinching is essential to the health, flavor, and productivity of any basil plant. Annual herbs such as basil and dill are intended to flower and go to seed all within a single growing season, and pinching off flowers is one of the most immediate ways in which you can preserve the tenderness and flavor of your basil plant. As a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, basil has a similar leafing habit to other species of mint including peppermint, catnip, and lemon balm and can be all pruned in nearly the same exact manner. A healthy basil plant is wide, bushy, green, and not too leggy as a result of overreaching and overcompetition. Since basil does not overwinter, it can be casually pruned as needed throughout the warm season rather than immediately after winter. While basil leaves can be harvested individually for day-to-day use, try to harvest and prune basil all at the same time for efficiency and the healthiest cuts.
When to Prune Basil
* As soon as flowers emerge
* Throughout season as needed
* Prune and harvest simultaneously
Unlike woody and frost-hardy perennials such as rosemary and lavender, culinary basil does not overwinter and does not require the same regimented pruning schedule as does others. Woody perennial herbs able to withstand a winter frost must be pruned back in early spring to allow for tender new growth, whereas basil is a short-lived annual that only needs pruning to help shape the plant for a single season. Basil must be pinched or pruned immediately as flowers emerge, and throughout the season as needed.
How to Prune Basil
* Flowers may be pinched off by hand
* About 20% the total length of a stem
* Do not prune down to the tough base
“Pinching” is a term used exclusively in annual vegetable gardening to remove flower buds by hand. Depending on what you’re cultivating, pinching off flowers will help the plant achieve different goals. For basil plants, pinching off flowers will keep the basil plant from reseeding which, as the final step in its annual lifecycle, will almost guarantee reduced flavor, aroma, and tenderness. To prune larger cuts from your plant, use a pair of scissors or gardening shears and clip about the top 20% of any tender stem, ideally clipping the stem right above new, young shoots.