Sow in warmth
Direct sow 1/4" deep in warm soil after frost, or start indoors 6 weeks ahead at about 70°F.
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A seed worth growing
A fast large-leaf Italian basil with downy mildew resistance.
This quick-growing Italian large-leaf basil gives heavy yields of 4" leaves on very uniform plants, with a sweet scent touched with anise. It resists both downy mildew and Fusarium.
Grow it in the field or a greenhouse. In university trial reports it may appear under the breeder’s pre-release code ILL2.
Plants reach 24–30"; ready to start cutting about 74 days from sowing. F1 hybrid, certified organic seed.
In stock — Mini
Know before you sow
Growing times vary with weather, soil and local conditions.
Direct sow 1/4" deep in warm soil after frost, or start indoors 6 weeks ahead at about 70°F.
Thin or plant 4–8" apart in rows about 18" apart, in full sun and moderately rich soil.
Basil dislikes drought and heat stress; keep the soil evenly moist.
Pick lightly in the cool of the morning; before flowering, cut plants back to 4–6" for regrowth. Store above 50°F.
5–10 days at 65–70°F (18–21°C).
Drop 2–3 seeds per inch, 1/4" deep, with 18" between rows, then press the soil down gently. You can skip thinning, though plants left 4–8" apart become fuller and healthier. Holy basil needs a little light to sprout, so cover it more thinly than other kinds.
Start seed inside 6 weeks ahead of planting out, 1/4" deep, held near 70°F (21°C) for even sprouting. Move seedlings outside once they carry 3–4 pairs of leaves, setting them 4–8" apart with 18" between rows.
Full sun.
Fairly fertile ground that stays evenly moist. Basil suffers in drought and hot, stressful spells, so keep watering steadily all season.
24–30".
4–8".
Grown as an annual.
Once plants are growing well, begin taking a few sprigs, preferably in the cool early morning when the leaves hold up best. Just before the plants bloom, take a full cut, leaving stems 4–6" high so they sprout again. The leaves bruise at a touch, so handle them gently, and keep cut basil warmer than 50°F (10°C).
Keep the soil evenly moist while pelleted seed germinates. Store pelleted seed cool and dry, and use it within a year of purchase.
Ocimum basilicum
100 seeds.
200 seeds.
About 20,400 on average.
We want every packet you buy from Hensley’s Seed Co. to grow well for you.
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