Lettuce Leaf Basil

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Aromatic as a sunlit greenhouse—Lettuce Leaf Basil unfurls into broad, tender leaves with a cool, crisp snap and a sweet, herbal perfume that rises the moment you brush the foliage.

The flavor is bright and distinctly basil-forward, with a gentle sweetness and a clean, green finish that shines in fresh leaf use and quick infusions. Ideal for home gardeners seeking a compact, bushy plant that harvests steadily around day 50 for salads, garnishes, and fragrant sauces.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Lettuce Leaf Basil

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 11th
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	Bush
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

This isn’t the basil you cook into oblivion—it’s built for instant aroma, with lettuce-leaf tenderness that holds a crisp bite and keeps its perfume loud. Use it torn and dressed at the last second, or blitz briefly with oil and lemon for a sauce that tastes like fresh-cut greenery rather than cooked greens.

Best Uses

tear-and-dress salads where the leaves stay crunchy under a light vinaigrette
quick chiffonade garnish for hot dishes right at the pass so the aroma doesn’t fall off
short, no-cook basil infusions for olive oil or simple syrups
green-forward pestolike sauces where you want freshness over long simmered depth

Flavor Profile

bright, sweet-herbal basil perfume cool, leafy crispness with tender bite clean green finish, lightly peppery at the back of the throat

Kitchen Pairings

extra-virgin olive oil lemon juice garlic parmesan fresh mozzarella chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most common on Ocimum basilicum (leaf basil), and how can I stop it?

Basil commonly suffers from downy mildew (often first seen as yellow spots on top leaves with a fuzzy growth underneath), especially in humid, crowded conditions. Remove badly infected leaves, improve airflow (space plants and thin if needed), and water at the soil line in the morning so foliage stays dry; if it keeps spreading, use a labeled downy-mildew fungicide appropriate for edible herbs. Aphids are also frequent—spray them off with a strong jet of water and repeat every few days until the colonies stop returning.

How often should I water leaf basil during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

During active growth, keep the soil consistently lightly moist—typically about 1–2 inches of water per week total, adjusted for heat and container size. Water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, and avoid letting it swing to soggy conditions, which can trigger root problems and mildew on Ocimum basilicum. Mulch can help stabilize moisture, but don’t pile mulch against the stems.

How do I tell when Ocimum basilicum leaf basil is ready to harvest?

Start harvesting leaf basil at about 50 days when plants are well established with plenty of healthy leaves and can support regular pinching. Pick leaves in the morning, and harvest by removing leaf pairs just above a node (pinch the tops) to encourage bushy regrowth. If leaves become bitter or the plant starts forming flower buds, harvest immediately and expect the flavor to shift sooner.