Italian Large Leaf

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Fragrant as a warm summer breeze, Italian Large Leaf basil fills the garden with a lush, sweet-anise lift and a distinctly rounded, green flavor.

Leaves are broad and tender with a velvety, succulent texture—ideal for generous handfuls of fresh use and for bold, aromatic sauces that cling with ease. Grow Italian Large Leaf for its fast, satisfying 50-day turnaround and its showy, kitchen-garden presence from first harvest to the season’s peak.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Italian Large Leaf

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 6th
Harvest Begins	Jul 26th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Italian Large Leaf basil is built for big handfuls: broad, tender leaves stay plush instead of turning gritty, and their sweet-anise edge blooms when you bruise them with salt and oil. Use it late—its aroma stays vivid when you finish, spoon, and toss rather than boil.

Best Uses

hand-torn basil for caprese-style layering and quick dressed salads
large-leaf pesto where the sauce stays loose and fragrant
blitzed basil into olive oil for steak/chicken finishing
simmer-then-stir basil into late-stage tomato-free sauces for a clean aromatic lift

Flavor Profile

sweet-anise perfume rounded green, aromatic basil flavor velvety, tender leaf texture clings to oil and thick sauces

Kitchen Pairings

extra-virgin olive oil garlic Parmesan mozzarella lemon white beans

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common basil (Ocimum basilicum) disease or pest, and how do I fix it?

Fungal downy mildew is one of the most common problems in basil, showing as yellow patches on the top of leaves with gray-purple growth on the underside. Remove infected leaves immediately, improve airflow by spacing plants, and avoid wetting foliage when you water. If mildew keeps spreading, use a labeled fungicide suitable for edible herbs and follow the timing on the label.

How often should I water Italian Large Leaf basil during the main growing phase?

During active growth (roughly the first 4–6 weeks), keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy—water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. Aim for deep watering at the base so excess moisture doesn’t linger on the leaves. In hot weather you may need watering every 1–2 days, while cooler periods may stretch to every 3–4 days.

How can I tell when Italian Large Leaf basil (Ocimum basilicum) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants are about 8–12 inches tall and the leaves are fully sized, typically around 50 days to maturity. Pick the top sets of leaves and pinch above a leaf pair to encourage branching; you should see new side shoots shortly after. Start harvesting in the morning for best leaf quality, and continue regular picking to delay flowering.