Basil seeds

The fragrant summer herb worth a spot in your garden

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a tender, fast-growing annual prized for its glossy green leaves and warm, sweet, faintly peppery aroma. It is the herb behind classic pesto, Margherita pizza, and tomato-and-mozzarella salads, and its scent alone earns it a place by the back door. Each plant grows into a bushy mound of aromatic foliage, and regular pinching keeps a single row producing tender leaves right through the summer.

How to grow basil from seed

Basil is one of the most satisfying herbs to start from seed. Sow basil seeds about a quarter inch deep in warm, well-drained soil in full sun once all danger of frost has passed, and keep them evenly moist until they sprout in a week or two. Plants reach roughly 12 to 24 inches tall and give you pickable leaves in about 60 days; pinch out the growing tips often to delay flowering and encourage a fuller plant. For the full step-by-step, see our complete guide to growing basil from seed.

How to use basil

The leaves are the prize. Tear them fresh over pizza and pasta, blend them into pesto with olive oil and pine nuts, layer them with tomatoes and mozzarella, or stir them into soups and stir-fries at the last minute. Basil pairs beautifully with tomatoes, garlic, and lemon, and the sweeter varieties are lovely muddled into summer drinks. Basil is also traditionally brewed into simple herbal teas for a fragrant, calming cup.

Basil and its aromatic herb cousins

If you love basil, you will enjoy its fellow kitchen herbs. Try oregano and thyme for the Mediterranean flavors that pair so naturally with basil, or parsley for another must-have soft herb. You can explore the full range in our herb seeds collection.

Why buy basil seeds from Organo Republic

Every packet of basil seed we sell is non-GMO, open-pollinated heirloom, and germination tested, so you can sow with confidence. As a U.S.-based licensed seed dealer, we work directly with trusted growers to keep quality high and prices low, and every pack carries a QR code that links straight to free online growing guides. Orders over $49 ship free. Whether you want a single pack of basil or a curated herb collection, you will find dependable, easy-to-grow seed here.