Lettuce Leaf Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a popular heirloom herb variety known for its exceptionally large, crinkled leaves — measuring up to 4 inches long, similar in size and texture to leaf lettuce. This non-GMO basil offers the traditional sweet basil flavor but with a larger leaf size that makes it ideal for fresh use in wraps, pesto, salads, and garnish.
Perfect for home gardeners and culinary enthusiasts, Lettuce Leaf Basil thrives in full sun and rich soil, producing vigorous foliage that’s tender, aromatic, and slow to bolt. It grows well in containers, raised beds, and herb gardens, and the plant’s attractive pale green leaves and white flower spikes also make it a garden standout.
Features
- Huge, crinkled leaves ideal for fresh culinary use
- Sweet classic basil flavor with tender texture
- Non-GMO and easy to grow from seed
- Great for containers, raised beds and kitchen gardens
- Attracts pollinators with summer flowers
- Excellent for pesto, salads, wraps, and garnish
Specifications
- Seed Type: Lettuce Leaf Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
- Common Name: Lettuce Leaf Basil
- Plant Type: Annual Herb
- Plant Height: 18 – 24 inches
- Zones: USDA Zones 4–10 (annual in cooler zones)
- Light Requirement: Full Sun
- Soil Type: Fertile, well-drained soil
- Germination Time: 7 – 14 days
- Days to Maturity: 70 – 75 days
- GMO Status: Non-GMO
- Season: Spring to summer planting
- Planting Depth: 1/4 inch
- Spacing: 12 – 18 inches apart
- Optimal Temperature: 70°F to 85°F (21°C to 29°C)
- Watering: Moderate; avoid waterlogging
- Companion Plants: Tomatoes, Peppers, Marigolds
- Bloom Time: Mid-summer (if not pinched)
- Pollinator Support: Attracts bees and butterflies
- Uses: Culinary herb, garden fresh salads, wraps, garnish
- Storage: Store seeds in cool, dry place
Planting Guide
- Indoor Start: Begin seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost date.
- Transplanting: Move outdoors once soil temperatures reach 60°F (16°C).
- Soil Prep: Add compost or fertilizer before planting; ensure good drainage.
- Maintenance: Pinch growing tips to encourage bushy growth; remove flower shoots to prolong leaf harvest.
- Harvesting: Pick leaves continuously as needed once plants reach 6–8 inches tall.
