Botanical Interests
Italian Genovese Basil Seeds
Italian Genovese Basil Seeds
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Product Details
Product Details
There is nothing like the aroma of basil in the summer! Genovese has the traditional fragrance and flavor, making it excellent for almost any basil dish, especially pesto. One of the most useful herbs, it also has beautiful, edible flowers. In a warm, sunny window, basil can grow indoors in the winter! A good container variety.
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- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
Variety Info
Family: Laminaceae
Type: Basil (Learn more)
Native: Probably Africa, but in cultivation for so long that it cannot be verified.
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Dimensions: 18"–24" tall, 10" wide
Variety Info: Large, dark green almond-shaped leaves. This is the true Italian pesto basil from the Genoa area of Italy, pesto capital of the world.
Attributes: Frost Sensitive, Good for Containers
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F, ideally 65°–85°F. Successive Sowings: We recommend 3 or 4 successive sowings every 3 weeks after initial sowing.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting outside. Transplant when your nighttime temperatures are above 50°F.
Days to Emerge: 5 – 10 Days
Seed Depth: ¼"
Seed Spacing: A group of 2 seeds every 12"
Row Spacing: 12"
Thinning: When 2" tall, thin to 1 every 12"
Growing Info
Harvesting: Basil flavor is best before the plant flowers. Harvest up to 1/3 of the plant at a time, leaving enough for the plant to be healthy and keep producing. Harvest prior to a frost; basil is very frost sensitive.
- Ariel H.Rated 5 out of 5 starsOct 3, 2025Time to Make Pesto!
This grew like crazy next to my tomatoes! This is the most basil I've ever grown in my life! It's literally a hand full!
Which best describes you as a gardener? BeginnerEGEpic GardeningOct 3, 2025Hey Ariel H.,
Thank you SO much for this amazing 5-star review! We absolutely LOVE hearing about those incredible basil harvests - there's nothing quite like the excitement of growing more basil than you ever imagined possible!
Your companion planting strategy with tomatoes is spot-on, and it sounds like you've discovered the perfect growing conditions for our Italian Genovese Basil. When you're getting literal handfuls of fresh basil, you know you've hit the gardening jackpot!
And with a title like "Time to Make Pesto!" - we can practically smell that amazing homemade pesto already. There's nothing that beats the flavor of fresh Genovese basil straight from your own garden.
Your incredible success will be so inspiring for other gardeners who want to experience that same thrill of abundant basil harvests and endless pesto possibilities!
Keep on growing 🌻️
- ElizabethVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsOct 2, 2025The only Italian basil I will grow
I've been using this brand, these seeds for at least 5 years. I love it! Super easy to grow, delicious, very fragrant. Makes great pesto.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateEGEpic GardeningOct 2, 2025Hey Elizabeth,
Thank you so much for this amazing 5-star review and for being such a loyal grower for the past 5 years! There's no higher compliment than hearing that our Italian Genovese Basil Seeds are the ONLY Italian basil you'll grow - that kind of trust and satisfaction means everything to us.
There's nothing quite like the aroma and flavor of fresh homegrown Genovese basil when you're making that perfect batch of pesto.
Your five years of consistent success will be so inspiring for other gardeners who want to experience the difference that authentic Italian varieties can make in their cooking and gardens!
Keep on growing 🌻️
- Ondrea L.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsDec 21, 20245 Stars
Great producing seeds growing basil now on kitchen sink 🌺
- Laura R.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsAug 1, 20245 Stars
A Basil bonanza… seeds and caution thrown into a deck pot, cut to encourage growth… pesto making time!
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate - Jessica W.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsJul 1, 20245 Stars
Very happy with these seeds!
Which best describes you as a gardener? Expert
