Prospera Italian Large Leaf

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Plush, oversized leaves unfurl with a vivid, living green and a deeply aromatic perfume that rises the moment you brush the foliage.

Prospera Italian Large Leaf basil offers a tender, substantial leaf texture—broad enough to feel luxurious in the hand—while staying richly flavorful for classic Italian-style herb use. Grow it for bold fresh garnishing, fragrant pesto, and aromatic sauces where its full-bodied basil character truly shines.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Prospera Italian Large Leaf

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 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
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

Prospera’s oversized leaves give you a pesto with a silken, herb-forward bite—less stringy than smaller basil and better at carrying fragrance. Treat it gently: keep it fresh, avoid prolonged heat, and let the aroma jump when it hits warm food.

Best Uses

pesto where the leaves stay lush and green (blend fresh, don’t overheat)
tear-and-drop fresh garnish for finishing pasta, beans, and grilled bread
aromatic green herb sauces/chimichurri-style emulsions
brushing into olive oil for quick basil-infused drizzles and finishing

Flavor Profile

bold, fragrant clove-anise basil aroma tender but substantial leaf—plush, not wispy sweet-forward basil flavor with a clean, herbal finish

Kitchen Pairings

Parmigiano-Reggiano Pecorino Romano extra-virgin olive oil garlic lemon juice mozzarella

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Ocimum basilicum (Italian large-leaf basil), and how do I treat it?

Watch for downy mildew, which shows as pale/yellow patches on the top of leaves and a gray-purple fuzzy growth on the undersides—this is common in humid, crowded basil. Remove badly affected leaves, increase airflow by spacing plants and thinning to one strong stem per pot, and water only at the soil line early in the day. If it keeps spreading, use a labeled fungicide appropriate for basil/leafy herbs and follow the label reapplication interval.

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

During active growth (roughly after seedlings establish through harvest), keep the top 1 inch of soil lightly moist but not soggy. In full sun, that typically means watering about 1–2 times per week depending on your soil and pot size; water deeply until excess drains, then let the surface dry slightly before the next watering. Avoid wetting the leaves, because basil foliage that stays damp encourages mildew.

How can I tell when Italian large-leaf basil is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants reach about 8–12 inches tall and have several sets of mature leaf pairs, typically around 60 days from sowing. Pinch or cut just above a leaf node, taking the top 1/3 to 1/2 of the plant to encourage branching. If leaves are still small and plants are mostly single-stem, wait a bit longer—basil flavor is best before flowering.