Collection: Basil Seeds

Basil is best known for its starring role in many Italian dishes. Sweet Basil, Genovese Basil, and Italian Large Leaf Basil are three options to create wonderful summer pesto and Genovese salads. The aromatic leaves also have a delightful variety of flavors found in Thai Basil, Lemon Basil, Lime Basil, Cinnamon Basil, and Purple Basil. Regardless of the variety you choose, the same wonderful basil attributes will be present: wildly aromatic, explosive taste, and incredibly fresh.

What we love about growing basil

  • 25 basil seed varieties
  • Annual, or sometimes a perennial
  • Used in a variety of culinary fashions, and even has medicinal purposes
  • Highly aromatic and flavorful

  • main-collection-product-grid Sweet Basil

    Basil Seeds - Sweet Basil (common)

    Sweetest, most common variety in Italian cuisine

    Basil Seeds - Sweet Basil (common)

    Sweetest, most common variety in Italian cuisine
    Regular price As Low As $4.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $4.49
  • main-collection-product-grid vegetable seed variety pack

    Vegetable Seed Variety Pack

    Collection of top 10 vegetable seed packets, great for beginner gardeners

    Vegetable Seed Variety Pack

    Collection of top 10 vegetable seed packets, great for beginner gardeners
    Regular price $35.69
    Regular price Sale price $35.69
  • main-collection-product-grid Thai Basil

    Basil Seeds - Thai

    Sweet flavor reminiscent of anise, licorice, and clove

    Basil Seeds - Thai

    Sweet flavor reminiscent of anise, licorice, and clove
    Regular price As Low As $5.29
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $5.29
  • main-collection-product-grid Organic Genovese Basil

    Basil Seeds (Organic) - Genovese

    THE sweet basil to satisfy your pesto and caprese salad dreams

    Basil Seeds (Organic) - Genovese

    THE sweet basil to satisfy your pesto and caprese salad dreams
    Regular price As Low As $6.29
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $6.29
  • main-collection-product-grid Italian Large Leaf Basil

    Basil Seeds - Italian Large Leaf

    Mammoth four-inch leaves to top your pasta and pizza

    Basil Seeds - Italian Large Leaf

    Mammoth four-inch leaves to top your pasta and pizza
    Regular price As Low As $4.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $4.49
  • main-collection-product-grid Genovese Basil

    Basil Seeds - Genovese

    Great for use in pesto and salads

    Basil Seeds - Genovese

    Great for use in pesto and salads
    Regular price As Low As $4.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $4.49
  • main-collection-product-grid Organic Italian Large Leaf Basil

    Basil Seeds (Organic) - Italian Large Leaf

    The aroma conjures up lazy summer days of pasta and pizza

    Basil Seeds (Organic) - Italian Large Leaf

    The aroma conjures up lazy summer days of pasta and pizza
    Regular price As Low As $6.29
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $6.29
  • main-collection-product-grid Siam Queen Basil

    Basil Seeds - Siam Queen

    Pungent leaves offer a spicy bite of licorice

    Basil Seeds - Siam Queen

    Pungent leaves offer a spicy bite of licorice
    Regular price As Low As $6.09
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $6.09
  • main-collection-product-grid Holy Basil

    Basil Seeds - Holy

    Also known as "hot basil" with its peppery taste

    Basil Seeds - Holy

    Also known as "hot basil" with its peppery taste
    Regular price $5.49
    Regular price Sale price $5.49
  • main-collection-product-grid Lemon Basil

    Basil Seeds - Lemon

    Fragrant lemony scent to emulsify in your next salad dressing

    Basil Seeds - Lemon

    Fragrant lemony scent to emulsify in your next salad dressing
    Regular price As Low As $4.79
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $4.79
  • main-collection-product-grid Cinnamon Basil

    Basil Seeds - Cinnamon

    Add a savory cinnamon twist to your pesto
    Out of Stock

    Basil Seeds - Cinnamon

    Add a savory cinnamon twist to your pesto
    Regular price As Low As $4.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $4.49
    Out of Stock
  • main-collection-product-grid Dark Opal Basil

    Basil Seeds - Dark Opal

    Dark purple foliage offers culinary and ornamental delights

    Basil Seeds - Dark Opal

    Dark purple foliage offers culinary and ornamental delights
    Regular price As Low As $4.79
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $4.79
  • main-collection-product-grid Large Sweet for Pots Basil

    Basil Seeds - Large Sweet for Pots

    Bring this sweet, Italian flavor to your windowsill

    Basil Seeds - Large Sweet for Pots

    Bring this sweet, Italian flavor to your windowsill
    Regular price As Low As $4.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $4.49
  • main-collection-product-grid Lime Basil

    Basil Seeds - Lime

    Zesty citrus flavor for chicken, fish and Thai dishes

    Basil Seeds - Lime

    Zesty citrus flavor for chicken, fish and Thai dishes
    Regular price As Low As $4.79
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $4.79
  • main-collection-product-grid basil dolce fresca

    Basil Seeds - Dolce Fresca

    Compact, fragrant and vigorous grower

    Basil Seeds - Dolce Fresca

    Compact, fragrant and vigorous grower
    Regular price $6.29
    Regular price Sale price $6.29
  • main-collection-product-grid Spicy Globe Basil

    Basil Seeds - Spicy Globe

    Spherical shape adds interest and dimension to your pot or planter

    Basil Seeds - Spicy Globe

    Spherical shape adds interest and dimension to your pot or planter
    Regular price As Low As $4.99
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $4.99

What we love about growing basil

  • 25 basil seed varieties
  • Annual, or sometimes a perennial
  • Used in a variety of culinary fashions, and even has medicinal purposes
  • Highly aromatic and flavorful

The many uses of delicious basil

Basil is an annual, or sometimes perennial herb that is grown for its edible leaves. Native to tropical regions in Central Africa and Southeast Asia, basil has become wide-spread and incredibly popular for its uses in a variety of cuisines, and appearance in folk medicinal practices. It is an essential ingredient in many Italian dishes such as pesto and marinara sauce. In Taiwan, basil is often added to thick soups. It is also commonly used steeped in cream, or milk to add complex flavor to ice cream and even chocolate. However you use it, basil is a delicious addition to countless cuisines.

What species of basil should you grow?

Basil plants can grow to be one to five feet tall, depending on the variety. Its leaves are typically dark green and ovate, but vary in size and shape depending on the species. Sweet, Genovese, Italian Large Leaf, Lemon, and Thai Basil are all popular varieties. The selection, however, does not stop there. There is a basil variety to suit almost any culinary need.

The best location for growing basil seeds

Growing basil is incredibly easy and requires very little effort. Many gardeners choose to grow basil in containers or garden beds near the kitchen door, where they can be easily be pinched for cooking. When selecting your growing location, it is best to look for a spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight a day, and preferably an area that is sheltered from cold winds. Basil thrives in poor, gravelly, well-draining soil. Seeds can be started indoors as early as six weeks before the last frost and then transferred outside after weather has warmed and the seedlings have been hardened off.

To plant, till the area to loosen the soil and amend with compost or well-rotted manure to add good drainage. Sow basil seeds 1/4 inch deep. Thin successful plants to eight inches apart (or more, depending on the variety). Space the rows 18 to 24 inches apart. Keep the basil soil moist, but be sure not to overwater.

When to harvest basil

Once you are ready to harvest your basil, you can easily pinch off the leaves. The most favorable time for cutting is early in the morning after the dew has dried, but before the plants have been visited by the hot midday sun. Since basil will be killed off by any touch of frost, gardeners can prolong its life by bringing containers of basil indoors into a warm and sunny location near a south-facing window. Zones 9 and above can keep basil growing outside year-round.

For more information about planting, growing, and caring for basil, see the Basil Seeds Planting Guide.