Tuscany Basil

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Fragrant as a sunlit garden walk, Tuscany Basil releases a rich, sweet perfume with a cool, green lift that lingers on the air.

Leaves are tender and velvety, forming an upright, lush mound of medium-to-large foliage that’s especially flavorful for fresh use and for turning into fragrant sauces and finishing oils. Grow it for its bold aroma and steady harvest over the season—your windowsill or raised bed will feel instantly more alive.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

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Tuscany Basil 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	Apr 20th	Jul 27th	Sep 25th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 13th	Jul 20th	Sep 18th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	Jul 14th	Sep 12th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 8th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	Jul 8th	Sep 6th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	Jul 3rd	Sep 1st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	Jun 29th	Aug 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	Jun 26th	Aug 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Jun 20th	Aug 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Jun 15th	Aug 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	Jun 5th	Aug 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	May 27th	Jul 26th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	May 18th	Jul 17th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	May 1st	Jun 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Apr 6th	Jun 5th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

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

Tuscany Basil hits with a sweet, perfumed top note and tender, cushiony leaf texture, so it performs best when you treat it gently—fresh, or added late so it doesn’t go flat. Use it to perfume oils and quick sauces where that green cooling lift can stay intact on the tongue.

Best Uses

hand-tearing for fresh salads to keep the leaves fluffy, not bruised
blitzed pesto where the flavor stays sweet and aromatic
warm-then-off-the-heat basil oil for finishing proteins and vegetables
stirred into quick pan sauces at the very end to preserve the perfume

Flavor Profile

bold, sweet green aroma tender, velvety leaves with a cooling lift gentle peppery finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon extra-virgin olive oil Parmigiano-Reggiano mozzarella mild white fish

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common pest or disease problem on Ocimum basilicum (Tuscany Basil) and how do I stop it?

Watch for downy mildew and fusarium wilting, which show up as yellow patches or wilting that progresses despite watering. Start with disease-free plants, keep leaves dry (water the soil, not the foliage), and space plants so air moves through the canopy. If you see spreading leaf yellowing or sudden wilting, remove affected leaves/plants promptly to limit spread.

How often should I water Tuscany Basil during peak growth?

During the main growth phase (after seedlings are established), water deeply only when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry—typically every 2–4 days in warm weather. Ocimum basilicum prefers evenly moist soil, but it must not sit waterlogged; soggy soil accelerates root diseases. Mulch lightly to steady moisture, and avoid frequent shallow watering that keeps the root zone uneven.

How can I tell when Tuscany Basil is ready to harvest at about 60 days?

Harvest when plants have multiple sets of leaves and stems are at least 6–8 in tall, with a healthy, bushy top—usually around 60 days from sowing. Pick by snipping the top 2–4 in just above a leaf pair to encourage branching, and avoid taking more than about one-third of the plant at a time. If flower buds start forming, harvest sooner (before full bloom) for the best leaf flavor.