Italian Large Leaf Basil Seeds – Ocimum basilicum

Italian Large Leaf Basil · Ocimum basilicum · Culinary Herb Seeds

Few garden aromas feel quite as inviting as freshly picked Basil. Italian Large Leaf Basil is loved for its generous, fragrant green leaves and classic sweet-herbal character.

Grow it in a sunny kitchen garden, courtyard pot or herb planter and harvest the leaves for pesto, salads, pasta and simple botanical kitchen creations. Regular pinching helps encourage a bushier, more productive plant.

Botanical & Packet Details

• Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum.
• Variety: Italian Large Leaf Basil.
• Plant type: tender annual culinary herb.
• Packet contents: approximately 50 seeds.

How to Sow

Sow shallowly, approximately 0.5cm deep, into moist seed-starting mix or prepared soil once conditions are consistently warm. Keep the surface gently moist until seedlings establish, then thin or transplant into individual pots with room for airflow.

Growing Conditions

• Light: full sun or a bright position with some protection from extreme afternoon heat.
• Soil: fertile, moist but well drained.
• Water: regular watering without prolonged sogginess.
• Harvest: pinch growing tips and pick leaves regularly.
• Flowers: remove flowering tips when prioritising tender leaf production.

Care & Precautions

Basil is frost-sensitive; protect young plants from cold. Rinse harvested leaves before culinary use. Seed packet contents are for sowing, not direct eating.

Storage

Seed counts are approximate; germination and growth depend on temperature, growing conditions and seed handling. Store unused seeds dry, cool and away from sunlight. Seeds are supplied for planting; do not consume the seed packet contents.