Herb Basil Pesto Italian Large Leaf brings classic Italian flavor to your herb garden with an impressive twist — leaves reaching up to 4 inches long, delivering a sweeter and milder aromatic profile than traditional Genovese basil. This beloved heirloom variety is prized for its generous leaf size, making harvesting efficient and presentation exceptional. Perfect for crafting authentic pesto, Caprese salads, infused oils, and fresh sauces, Italian Large Leaf thrives in warm-season gardens and responds beautifully to regular pinching for continuous, bushy growth throughout the season.

Germination Rate: 85%. Test Date: 8/25. OSI.

Why Choose Pesto Italian Large Leaf Basil?

• Exceptional Leaf Size: Leaves reach up to 4 inches long — larger than Genovese — making each harvest more efficient and visually stunning in culinary presentation.
• Sweeter, Milder Flavor: A slightly sweeter and milder aromatic profile than Genovese, making it accessible and versatile across a wide range of dishes.
• Prolific Producer: Responds vigorously to regular pinching, producing continuous flushes of large, harvestable leaves all season long.
• Heirloom Quality: Open-pollinated and passed down for at least 75 years — save seeds year after year for consistent results.
• Non-GMO: DNA structure never altered from natural traditional breeding methods.
• Easy to Grow: Forgiving of small mistakes; thrives with basic gardening tools and common sense.

Planting Tips for Success

• Sunlight: Full sun — at least 6–8 hours daily. Warmth and light are essential for developing the large leaf size and signature sweet aroma.
• Soil: Rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Amend with compost for best results.
• Planting: Start indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost date, or direct sow outdoors once soil reaches 60°F+. Do not transplant until nighttime temps are consistently above 50°F.
• Spacing: Space plants 12–18 inches apart to encourage bushy, full growth and good air circulation.
• Watering: Water at the base of plants; avoid wetting leaves to prevent fungal issues. Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged.
• Fertilizing: Feed lightly with a balanced fertilizer monthly. Over-fertilizing reduces essential oil concentration and the variety’s characteristic sweetness.
• Support: No staking needed; regular pinching of flower buds keeps plants productive and prevents early bolting.
• Harvesting: Begin harvesting when plants reach 6–8 inches tall. Always pinch from the top above a leaf node. Remove flower buds immediately to extend harvest season and prevent bitterness.

Why Choose David's Garden Seeds®?

• Veteran-Owned: Supplying premium seeds since 2009.
• GO TEXAN Certified: Supporting local agriculture and communities.
• Integrity Pledge: We pledge to sell only non-GMO, open-pollinated seeds. Read our Safe Seed Integrity Pledge.
• Vegetable Seed License: All seeds sold under our standard Vegetable Seed License.

Cooking Methods & Uses

• Classic Pesto: The large leaf size makes this the ideal pesto basil — blend with pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and olive oil for a rich, authentic sauce.
• Caprese Salad: Whole large leaves are visually stunning layered with ripe tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.
• Pizza & Flatbreads: Tear or place whole leaves on Neapolitan-style pizzas after baking to preserve full aromatic intensity.
• Herb Oils & Infusions: Steep in warm olive oil or white wine vinegar for fragrant culinary infusions ideal for dipping and dressings.
• Pasta & Sauces: Add torn leaves to finish tomato sauces, pasta, and risotto for a bright, sweet herbal lift.
• Preserving: Freeze whole leaves in olive oil using ice cube trays, or dehydrate for dried Italian basil to use through winter.

Order Italian Large Leaf Pesto Basil Seeds Today

Order yours today and grow your own fresh Italian Large Leaf Basil in your spring and summer herb garden.

Nutritional Information

(Applies to harvested basil leaves, not seeds. Per 2 tablespoons (5g) fresh.)

• Calories: 1
• Vitamin K: 22% DV
• Vitamin A: 4% DV
• Manganese: 3% DV
• Contains linalool and eugenol — the primary essential oils behind this variety’s characteristic sweet, mildly spiced aroma
• Rich in antioxidants including orientin and vicenin
• Traditional uses: supports digestion, anti-inflammatory properties, and antimicrobial benefits

Important Disclosures

• Variety Disclaimer: Growing results vary by region, climate, and gardener practice. Italian Large Leaf Basil is frost-sensitive — protect from temperatures below 50°F.
• Seed Storage: Store seeds in a cool, dry location. Properly stored seeds maintain viability for 4–5 years.
• Planting Zones: Grown as a warm-season annual in all USDA zones. Best in Zones 9–11 as a short-lived perennial; treated as an annual in Zones 3–8.

Grow something beautiful. Grow something fragrant. Grow with David's Garden Seeds®.