Mammoth

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Aromas of sweet clove and fresh green tea rise the moment you brush the leaves—Mammoth Basil is a true showpiece with large, velvety foliage that feels substantial in the hand.

Expect tender, broad leaves with a smooth, slightly crinkled surface and a lush, upright growth habit that makes harvests abundant and satisfying for fresh use and bold flavoring in sauces, pesto-style blends, and fragrant garnishes.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Upright

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 13th
Harvest Begins	Aug 7th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
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

Mammoth Basil’s large, velvety leaves carry a sweet clove and green-tea perfume that tastes most alive when handled gently—torn or blended with oil and finished off-heat. Choose it over small-leaf basils when you want aroma to dominate, not just act as background herb.

Best Uses

pesto-style blends where the big leaves stay lush and aromatic
warm herb butter—stir in off-heat so the perfume doesn’t fall flat
torn-leaf salads or tomato slices that need a sweet, fragrant lift
fragrant garnishes for soups and braises right at service

Flavor Profile

sweet clove-leaning basil aroma fresh green-tea brightness tender broad leaves with a velvety bite mellow, aromatic finish rather than peppery heat

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic olive oil parmesan mozzarella tomatoes

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common pest or disease issue for Ocimum basilicum (Mammoth basil), and how do I fix it?

Downy mildew is a frequent problem for basil in humid weather, showing as yellow patches on top leaves with gray/purple growth underneath. Remove infected leaves immediately, improve airflow between plants, and water at the soil line early in the day so foliage stays dry. If it keeps recurring, switch to a weekly preventive spray of a labeled biofungicide (based on your local product guidance) rather than watering more heavily.

How often should I water Mammoth basil during the main growing phase?

During active leaf growth, keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. Typically this means about 1–2 times per week outdoors, but in hot spells you may need more frequent watering to prevent leaf droop. Avoid splashing leaves, because wet foliage promotes basil diseases.

How can I tell when Mammoth basil (Ocimum basilicum) is ready to harvest?

Start harvesting when plants are about 6–8 inches tall and have multiple mature leaf sets, roughly around 55 days for best production. Harvest by pinching or cutting above a pair of leaves to encourage branching, and take the top growth first. If the plant starts forming flower buds, harvest sooner and more often, because flowering quickly reduces leaf tenderness and flavor.