Healthy Italian Large Leaf basil with big green leaves in a sunny garden

How to Grow Italian Large Leaf Basil From Seed

Updated July 2026

Italian Large Leaf basil is the classic sweet, Genovese-style basil prized for its big, fragrant, tender green leaves. It is the go-to basil for pesto, Caprese, and fresh tomato dishes, filling the kitchen with sweet aroma all summer. Plants reach a generous harvest in about 65 to 70 days, and pinching often to remove flower buds keeps them lush and leafy. This quick guide covers everything you need to grow Italian Large Leaf basil from seed.

This is the quick guide to Italian Large Leaf. For the full step-by-step on starting seeds, sowing, feeding, and troubleshooting basil, see our complete guide to growing basil from seed.

Quick start

Start Italian Large Leaf basil seeds a quarter inch deep in warm, moist mix, around 70F, about 6 weeks before your last frost, or direct-sow once the soil is warm. Keep it evenly moist in full sun, thin to 8 to 12 inches, and pinch the tips once plants reach 6 inches. Seedlings appear in 5 to 10 days, with big, fragrant leaves ready in about 65 to 70 days.

Best tip

Pinch often and remove flower buds the moment you see them. Snipping the top few inches just above a pair of leaves keeps Italian Large Leaf basil bushy and leafy instead of setting seed. Climate note: basil is very cold-sensitive, so gardeners in the Northeast and Midwest should wait until nights stay above 50F before setting plants out, while growers in the Deep South, Texas, and Southern California get a long, productive run and mainly need steady water and a little afternoon shade in the hottest weeks.

At a glance

Botanical nameOcimum basilicum
Plant typeWarm-season annual herb
USDA zones2 to 11 (grown as a summer annual)
SunFull sun (6+ hours)
Days to maturity65 to 70 days
Height18 to 24 inches
SpacingThin to 8 to 12 inches
WaterRegular; keep evenly moist, never soggy

Uses

Italian Large Leaf is the go-to basil for the kitchen. Its big, tender leaves are perfect for pesto blended with pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil, and for layering with mozzarella and ripe tomatoes in a classic Caprese. Tear it fresh over pizza and pasta off the heat, and stir it into tomato sauces and soups just before serving so the aroma stays bright.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Italian Large Leaf basil take to grow?

Italian Large Leaf basil seeds sprout in about 5 to 10 days in warm soil, and plants are usually ready for a first harvest of big, tender leaves in around 65 to 70 days. Once established, regular pinching keeps the leaves coming all summer long.

Is Italian Large Leaf basil good for pesto?

Yes, it is a top choice. This is the classic sweet, Genovese-style basil, and its big, fragrant, tender leaves are exactly what you want for pesto, Caprese, and fresh tomato dishes. Blend big handfuls with garlic, pine nuts, and olive oil for a bright, aromatic pesto.

How do I keep Italian Large Leaf basil leafy?

Pinch often and remove flower buds as soon as they appear. Snipping the top few inches just above a pair of leaves tells the plant to branch out, and taking off flower buds keeps it making tender leaves instead of setting seed. Harvest regularly and it stays bushy and productive.

When can I plant Italian Large Leaf basil outside?

Wait until all danger of frost has passed and nights stay above 50F, since basil is very cold-sensitive. Start seeds indoors about 6 weeks before your last frost, or direct-sow once the soil is warm. Give it full sun and warmth for the best flush of big, fragrant leaves.

Ready to grow your own? Start with a packet of heirloom Italian Large Leaf basil for fresh leaves, pesto, and Caprese all summer long.

Italian Basil Italian Large Leaf Seeds
Italian Basil Italian Large Leaf SeedsHeirloom, non-GMOHeirloom Italian Large Leaf basil: big, fragrant, tender leaves for pesto and Caprese.$4.99
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Want more than basil? These value sets all include basil seeds, plus many more herbs and veggies:

75 Herb & Vegetable Seeds Variety Pack
75 Herb & Vegetable Seeds Variety PackHeirloom, non-GMO75 herb and vegetable varieties, basil included, in one big value pack.$63.99$59.99
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55 Vegetable Seeds Variety Pack
55 Vegetable Seeds Variety PackHeirloom, non-GMO55 vegetable varieties, basil included, for a full garden.$32.99$29.99
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25 Most Popular Vegetable Seeds Variety Pack
25 Most Popular Vegetable Seeds Variety PackHeirloom, non-GMO25 most popular vegetable varieties, basil included.$22.99$19.99
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