Genovese Basil
Ocimum basilicum 'Genovese'
herbGenovese is the classic Italian sweet basil, the variety prized for pesto, with large, fragrant, deep-green leaves and a rich, sweet, clove-and-anise aroma. A tender warm-season annual, it grows fast in summer heat and keeps producing as long as it is regularly pinched and kept from flowering.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 2 days
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Harvest
~60 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
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Spacing
8-12 in. apart
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Planting Depth
1/4 in.
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Well-drained, rich
Hardiness Zones
Zones 5 – 11
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Lightly every 4-6 weeks
Fertilizer
Balanced 10-10-10, light on nitrogen
🌱 Growing Guide
Basil loves warmth, so sow or transplant only after the last frost when the soil and nights are warm, in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil with steady moisture. Pinch out the growing tips early and often to force bushy branching and more leaves, and remove any flower buds as they form, since flowering signals the plant to slow leaf production and turns the flavor bitter.
Planting Calendar
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Start seeds indoors
Mar 4
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
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Projected first harvest
Jun 28
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Tomatoes — The classic pairing; basil repels thrips and whiteflies
- Peppers — Deters aphids and spider mites
- Marigold — Combined aromas confuse many pests
- Borage — Both attract pollinators and beneficial insects
❌ Keep away from
SageThyme
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Pinch tips, encourage ladybugs and lacewings, and rinse colonies off
Hand-pick beetles; water in the morning to deter slugs
Space for airflow, water at the base, and choose resistant strains
🌾 Harvest & storage
Harvest by pinching whole stem tips just above a pair of leaves rather than stripping individual leaves, which prompts the plant to branch and produce more. Pick in the morning for the best aroma, harvest regularly all summer, and take a final big cut before the first frost, since cold blackens basil quickly.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Basil is eaten in modest amounts but contributes vitamin K, vitamin A, and manganese, along with the aromatic essential oils and antioxidants behind its distinctive scent and flavor.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.