Basil Genovese

Basil Genovese is a traditional Italian basil variety loved for its large, fragrant green leaves and rich sweet flavour. It is one of the best basil varieties for homemade pesto and is also excellent for salads, sauces, pasta, pizza, soups, and Mediterranean-style dishes.

This fast-growing herb is easy to grow in pots, containers, windowsill planters, greenhouses, or garden beds. With regular harvesting, the plants will continue producing fresh leaves through the growing season.

For best results, grow in a warm, sunny, sheltered position and keep the soil evenly moist. Pinching out the growing tips helps create bushier plants and delays flowering.

Key Features

• Classic Italian basil variety
• Large aromatic deep green leaves
• Rich, sweet flavour
• Excellent for pesto, sauces, salads, and Mediterranean dishes
• Fast-growing and productive
• Suitable for pots, containers, windowsills, and garden beds
• Can be harvested regularly through the season
• Best grown in warm, sunny, sheltered conditions

Growing Information

• Sow indoors all year round
• Sow outdoors after the last frost
• Sow seeds around 0.5cm deep
• Best germination temperature: 15–25°C
• Keep soil consistently moist until germination
• Grow in well-drained soil
• Transplant indoor seedlings to a sunny, sheltered position
• Pinch out growing tips regularly for bushier growth
• Harvest leaves as needed
• Avoid removing more than one-third of the plant at one time
• Water regularly to help prevent bolting
• Protect from cold temperatures and strong winds
• Basil is frost-sensitive