Genovese Basil
Genovese Basil is a heirloom herb variety (Ocimum basilicum). Harvest begins around day 68; seed germinates in 5-10 days. Set plants 12-18 inches apart. Grow in soil pH 6.0-7.0, zones 10-10, full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours). Plants reach 0-3 feet. It will crop in a container.
Sowing
Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost or direct sow after soil reaches 70°F. Transplant after all danger of frost has passed.
Cultivation
- Sun
- Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours)
- Water
- 1 inch per week, consistent moisture but well-drained
- Soil
- Rich, well-drained soil with good organic content
- Soil pH
- 6.0-7.0
- Spacing
- 12-18 inches
- Height
- 0-3 feet
- Season
- Warm season annual
Appearance & flavour
- Colour
- Deep emerald green
- Size
- 3"
- Shape
- Large, oval leaves with smooth edges and glossy surface
- Flavour
- Sweet, aromatic, and slightly spicy with hints of anise and clove
In the kitchen
Pesto, Caprese salad, pizza, pasta, fresh garnish, infused oils, tomato-based dishes
Pests, disease & resistance
- Pests
- Aphids, spider mites, slugs, Japanese beetles
- Diseases
- Fusarium wilt, downy mildew, bacterial leaf spot, damping off
- Resistance
- Susceptible to fusarium wilt and downy mildew in humid conditions
Planting calendar by USDA zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Transplant | Direct sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | January | February – April | — | April – December |
Companion planting
8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.
Avoid
Nutrition (per 100 g)
- Calories (per 100 g)
- 23
- Protein (g)
- 3.15
- Fat (g)
- 0.64
- Carbohydrate (g)
- 2.65
- Fibre (g)
- 1.6
- Sugars (g)
- 0.3
- Vitamin A (µg)
- 264
- Vitamin C (mg)
- 18
- Vitamin E (mg)
- 0.8
- Vitamin K (µg)
- 415
- Vitamin B6 (mg)
- 0.155
- Folate (µg)
- 68
- Calcium (mg)
- 177
- Iron (mg)
- 3.17
- Magnesium (mg)
- 64
- Phosphorus (mg)
- 56
- Potassium (mg)
- 295
- Zinc (mg)
- 0.81
- Selenium (µg)
- 0.3
Where to buy seed and equipment
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Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.
Grown Genovese Basil?
Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.
Similar varieties
Other herbs with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Genovese Basil suits these too.
- Flat-Leaf Parsley 70 days
- Common Mint 70 days
- Pineapple Sage 70 days
- Petroselinum crispum 'Forest Green' 70 days
- Lemon Balm 70 days
- Lemon Thyme 65 days