Climate matters. This page is a practical baseline. Confirm cultivar, local frost/heat conditions, mature size and regional restrictions before planting.
Genovese Basil — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Ocimum basilicum |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 5–10 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 21.1–29.4 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 60–75 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 20.3–30.5 |
| Mature height (cm) | 45.7–61 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 30.5–45.7 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 4–11 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Genovese basil is the classic Italian pesto basil, prized for its large, tender, deeply fragrant green leaves. Sow once soil is warm and keep plants well watered in full sun. Pinch the growing tips regularly and remove flower buds to encourage bushy growth and prevent the leaves from turning bitter. Harvest often, as frequent picking keeps the plant producing until frost.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
OpenPlantDB · genovese-basil-sgs
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0