Lettuce Leaf

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Fragrant, sweet basil leaves unfurl with a lush, velvety sheen and a bright, aromatic lift that seems to rise from the garden bed at first harvest.

Lettuce Leaf basil forms broad, tender foliage with a gentle, leafy texture—ideal for generous pinching and quick use as a fragrant green centerpiece. Grow it for fresh, flavorful sprigs and for making fragrant sauces, pesto-style blends, and aromatic garnishes that perfume the whole table with its sweet basil character.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 40 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Lettuce Leaf Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	May 18th	Jun 29th	Aug 8th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	May 11th	Jun 22nd	Aug 1st – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	May 1st	Jun 12th	Jul 22nd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	May 1st	Jun 12th	Jul 22nd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	May 5th	Jun 16th	Jul 26th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	May 1st	Jun 12th	Jul 22nd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 29th	Jun 10th	Jul 20th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 24th	Jun 5th	Jul 15th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 20th	Jun 1st	Jul 11th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 17th	May 29th	Jul 8th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Apr 11th	May 23rd	Jul 2nd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Apr 6th	May 18th	Jun 27th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 27th	May 8th	Jun 17th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 18th	Apr 29th	Jun 8th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Mar 9th	Apr 20th	May 30th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 20th	Apr 3rd	May 13th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 26th	Mar 9th	Apr 18th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	40
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This Lettuce Leaf–style basil gives you big, velvety leaves with a sweet, perfume-forward lift—more about aromatic presence than bitterness. Use it torn or chiffonaded at the end so it keeps its tender snap and doesn’t turn dull or grassy.

Best Uses

tear-and-toss salads where it stays bright and plush under light vinaigrettes
hand-chopped topping for tomatoes and fresh mozzarella—added at the last second
quick pesto or chiffonade into pasta off the heat so the fragrance doesn’t cook off
aromatic garnish for soups and broths right before serving

Flavor Profile

sweet, floral aromatics cool, tender leafy snap gentle herbal bite without harshness

Kitchen Pairings

tomatoes garlic extra-virgin olive oil lemon parmesan mozzarella

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Ocimum basilicum (leaf basil) and what should I do?

Leaf basil (Ocimum basilicum) is especially prone to downy mildew and leaf spots in cool, humid conditions. Keep plants spaced for airflow, water at the soil line, and remove infected leaves; if problems start, use a labeled fungicide for basil or an approved copper-based spray early in the outbreak. Watch for slugs and aphids as well—hand-pick slugs at dusk and spray aphids off with a strong jet of water, repeating as needed.

How often should I water Ocimum basilicum during the main growing phase?

During active leaf growth, water leaf basil whenever the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, typically every 1–3 days depending on heat and pot size. Aim for evenly moist soil, not soggy—root rot risk rises quickly if the bed stays wet. Mulch lightly can help stabilize moisture, but don’t cover the crown tightly.

How can I tell when Ocimum basilicum is ready to harvest?

Harvest leaf basil when plants are 6–8 inches tall with multiple sets of leaves, usually around 40 days from sowing for early growth. Start picking the top leaves and pinch above a pair of leaf nodes to encourage branching; don’t strip more than about one-third of the plant at a time. If you see flower buds forming, harvest promptly and more frequently to keep leaves tender.