Love basil? Then grow it!
Genovese basil is one of the most common types of basil you can buy from the grocery store, but why buy it when you grow it?
Even maybe organically? Save the premium cost at the supermarket and do it yourself.
Genovese basil is easy to grow. You don’t need to know anything about plants to grow them. Just give it some basic TLC and you’re good to go.
Once you get it started, it basically takes care of itself with minimal care!
Even if you’re a total beginner to herb tending, it’s not a problem.
Let’s dive in and learn how to grow and care for Genovese sweet basil.
Guide Contents
Quick care guide: Genovese basil
| Plant type | Perennial herb (zones 10 or higher), annual (cooler zones) |
| Origin | Italy |
| Scientific name | Ocimum basilicum L. — cv. Genovese |
| Other names | Basilico Genovese |
| Soil type | Fertile, loamy, well-draining, nutrient-dense |
| Soil pH | 6.0-7.0 (slightly acidic) |
| Sunlight requirement | Full sun, 6-8 hours daily |
| Bloom season | Spring |
| Colors | Green, lime green, white, yellow |
| Max height | 36 inches |
| Max width | 14 inches |
| Low temperature tolerance | 50F |
| High temperature tolerance | 85F |
| Ideal temperature range | 70-75F |
| Humidity | Moderate (50% or higher) |
| Watering requirements | 2-3 inches per week, 3 times per week, no soggy soil or drying out |
| Fertilizer requirements | Low, use full dosage in spring/summer, supplement with compost |
| Plant food NPK | 10-10-10 or 5-5-5 |
| Days until germination | 5-14 days |
| Days until harvest | 50-60 days |
| Bloom time | 60-80 days |
| Speed of growth | Moderate |
| Hardiness zones | Annual: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Perennial: 10, 11, 12 |
| Plant depth | 0.25 inches for seeds, plant same depth as original container if from seedling |
| Plant spacing | 5-10 inches |
| Plant with | Potato Cilantro Borage Celery Oregano Beets Borage Broccoli Chives Coriander Chamomile Tarragon Parsley Catnip Peppermint Onions Garlic |
| Don't plant with | Sage, cucumbers, other basil, rosemary, marigold, or fennel. |
| Propagation method | From seed or seedlings |
| Common pests | Japanese beetles, flies, whiteflies, thrips, snails/slugs, spider mites, aphids, and four-lined bugs |
| Common diseases | Fusarium wilt Botrytis Bacterial leaf spot |
| Indoor plant | Yes, but requires strong source of light. Produces less yield indoors vs. outdoors on average production. |
| Outdoor plant | Yes |
| Grown in container | Yes |
| Flowering plant | Yes |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
| Care level | Low (very easy for beginners) |
| Best uses | Pesto, seafood, soups, salads, fish, sauces, Italian |
What’s Genovese basil?
Genovese basil isn’t as popular as sweet or Thai basil, but it can be used in nearly 100% of the same dishes as a substitute. Sweet basil is the reigning kind of herbs.
With its origins in Italy, this preferred basic cultivar has sweet, large leaves. It’s good for warmer zones because it doesn’t bolt easily.
The taste profile changes from sweet to bitter over time.
You can pick the right time to harvest depending on the flavor if you want.
Let it age if you want it more bitter. Pick earlier in the season if you want it sweeter. It’s “customizable” basil!
They’re good for container growing, garden beds, or even indoor growing. They do well in full sun with their spicy scent.
Is Genovese basil a perennial?
These herbs are commonly grown as perennials but can be grown as annuals as well. It depends on the hardiness zone and local climate of your area.
If you’re in the right zone, it can be grown as a perennial.
But if not, annual basil it is! You’ll need to replant it every few seasons anyway to maximize the flavor.
It gets more bitter with time. It’s largely raised as a perennial that’s frost resistant in the right temperature ranges.
It does need warm, sunny weather to thrive. Cooler conditions below 55F will damage it by reducing yield or damping off.
Is it easy to grow?
Are you kidding? Genovese basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow out of all the basil types.
It’s set and forget once you get it going. This traditional Italian herb can be easily cultivated indoors or outdoors with minimal care.
If you’re a beginner and you’re new to growing edibles, this is a good choice. Basil can be used for endless numbers of recipes and it’s handy to have it right there in your kitchen.
Just pluck as needed. It’s that simple.
Types of basil
There are many different types of basil cultivars on the market. It’s easy to get lost in the world of herbs.
For Genovese basil specifically, here are some similar strains you may find in your local nursery:
- Italian large leaf (large, tender leaves)
- Sweet basil (popular)
- Thai basil
- Lemon basil
- Dark opal basil
- Napoletano basil
- Cinnamon basil
How does it compare to Sweet basil?
Genovese basil has quite a bit of noticeable differences compared to other basil types.
Here are some of them:
- Genovese basil is more aromatic than other basil types
- The plant produces a sweet, minty taste profile
- The leaves are big, shiny, and almond-shaped rather than small
- The flavor of Genovese basil can be used in the recipes you know- including pesto, poultry, fish, eggs, beverages, smoothies, vinaigrette, seafood, pasta, sauces, salads, soups, and other Italian favorites
It’s very similar to Sweet basil out of the entire bunch, but not exactly. You need to try it first.
What does it taste like?
Genovese basil tastes like a sweet clove with a minty aftertaste. You can get notes of cinnamon, anise, cloves, and some mint.
The taste is only half the pleasure. It also smells amazing when you touch the leaves. It’s not nearly as bitter as other basil varieties if picked earlier in the growing season.
This allows it to recipes where people complain that the basil is just too bitter.
Genovese can be a suitable substitute for basil with a minimal bitter profile.
How to propagate Genovese basil
Propagating Genovese basil is an inch. It can be planted by seeds or seedlings, similar to most other herbs like parsley or eggplants from cuttings.
The seeds will produce identical plants to the original plant came from, so you need not worry about weird hybrids or basil combos.
From seed
Start seeds early indoors a few weeks before spring. This will give your basil a headstart for the season, but you can start later if you’re in a warmer zone.
Use seed starter trays or plants in individual pots.
Use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix. Use organic potting mix if you want to go organic. Sow each seed 0.25 inches deep. Space them 1” from each other.
Water generously then cover with a humidity dome. You only need to sprinkle a bit of substrate over each seed to cover them.
This isn’t important so don’t worry about it. Some people firmly press the seeds into the soil and just leave it at that.
So they’re flexible plus forgiving of rookie mistakes.
Consider successive growing by starting one batch after the other 1-2 weeks apart. This will give you basil to eat all season long as they’ll become ready to pick one batch after the other.
Germination occurs when temperatures are above 50F indoors. Warmer temperatures will facilitate quicker generation. Ideally, temps should range between 70-80F during germination.
Thin to the strongest plant per compartment if growing in starter trays. Germination typically occurs within 1-2 weeks.
Continue monitoring for fungus or rot.
When plants are at least 5 inches tall, pinch out the growing tips on the second pair of leaves. This helps make it compact and bushy rather than tall. But it’s really your call.
Move to a larger container or to your garden when they’ve reached 6 inches. If the container-grown basil, put the pot outside for a few hours each day to harden them off.
Then move them permanently after a week or so.
From cuttings
Starting from seedlings isn’t lazy. It’s getting a head start!
When you buy pre-grown Genovese basil from your local nursery or garden center, you save yourself the time and hassle of growing it from seed.
While seed starting may be rewarding, some people don’t have the time to do it or they’re not in the right zone.
Regardless, you pay a premium for it but you get the germination part done.
Plant seedlings into larger containers immediately after quarantine.
They should be given fresh, new potting soil that you plan to use consistently. This will reduce plant shock if you decide to change the soil when you give it its “real” container.
Use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix. It should be organic if possible with peat moss, vermiculite, or perlite. This will help retain the moisture.
The pot should have multiple drainage holes in case one gets clogged. You can put a layer of pebbles so it doesn’t clog easily.
The pot should be at least 2 gallons with 8” diameter and deep. 3-gallon buckets are the minimum I would suggest.
Unlike other basils, Genovese basil doesn’t need a huge space. Sweet basil requires at least 5 gallons that need 3 gallons. Lime basil can grow in 2 gallons.
Genovese is in the middle with 3 gallons minimum container size.
This provides the Genovese seedlings room to grow the extensive roots they need to produce those tasty leaves.
Plant the seedlings into the new potter at the same depth as the original container. The pot should be terra cotta, stone, or some other porous material. This helps insulate the temperature swings.
Plastic is cheap for starters. But it swings quickly when the temperature rises and falls. So there’s a tradeoff. If you choose plastic, opt for brighter colors or wrap it with burlap. This will help insulate it.
Continue to water or mist the seedlings. Monitor for pests or rot. Keep the humidity high at 50%. Put it in full sun for at least 6 hours a day.
When seedlings get 5 inches or higher, you can move them to the garden.
But first, acclimate them by exposing them to the outdoor sunlight for smaller periods of time over a week. This gets them used to it so they don’t get shocked.
Plant them in your garden bed or keep them in their pots after hardening off.
When to plant
Genovese basil should be planted a few weeks before spring.
If you’re in USDA zones 10 or higher, you can sow directly into the garden if soil temperatures remain above 60F without possible dips. For cooler zones with temperatures that aren’t tolerable, you’ll need to sow indoors first.
Generally, Genovese basil seeds should be sown indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date in your zone.
They need to be indoors until they’re about 5” in height before they can be moved into your yard. When temperatures remain above 70F, they can be safely hardened off for garden planting.
When to move to the garden
To help maximize the basil’s growth, wait until the ambient temperatures outside are constantly above 50F. Leave them inside your house until then.
The plants should be at least 5 inches in height. They should be hardened off as well so they can adapt to the elements outside.
Plant them successively in rows to get the most out of your harvest. Row planting is good for maximizing space in tiny gardens.
How to grow Genovese basil
This section covers everything you need to know to care for it so you can get the most yield possible.
Note that your mileage may vary depending on where you’re located. But it serves as general guidelines for proper care so you can get an idea of what’s involved to grow this basil.
Hardiness zone
Genovese basil thrives in USDA hardiness zones 10 or higher. It’s hardy cooler weather when grown in these warmer zones.
If you’re growing in a lower zone, that’s OK. Just provide ample protection from the elements by adding mulch, row covers, or using a greenhouse.
Or you can just grow it in a container and then bring it indoors when the temperatures drop. Indoor growing is also an option if your location is consistently below 60F.
Soil
Use rich, fertile, well-draining soil. Get organic soil if possible. Basil doesn’t need a lot, so you can maximize flavor without spending a ton on bulk soil.
The soil must drain well or else you’ll risk rot at the root level. Some soils are made for edibles.
If you’re growing your Genovese in a pot or container, switch to moisture-retaining soil. Supplement with peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, or coconut coir.
This helps prevent dry outs. You can put a saucer under it to help increase humidity. Refill as needed. container-grown Genovese need more water compared to garden-raised basil.
pH
The soil should be slightly acidic to neutral. Aim for a pH value of 6.0-7.0. If your soil has a pH that’s too high, bring it down with natural limestone.
You can find this at your local nursery or home improvement warehouse.
Spacing
Give your plants enough distance from each other. Genovese basil requires 5 inches of space between each plant. This will eliminate nutrient competition.
Depth
Plant each seed 0.5 inches deep. If using seedlings, plant it just as deep as the plant you bought in its original potter.
Temperature
Genovese basil prefers warmer, moderate temps. The outdoor temperatures should be 70-80F on average for it to thrive.
It can tolerate temp dips down to 60F for a few days, but extended periods of cold weather or extreme dips below 55F can kill or halter leaf production.
Basil doesn’t tolerate temperatures below 50F because the leaves are succulent.
If your zone is prone to temperature dips at night, consider using plant wraps, mulch, compost, or bring it inside if potted. If you’re growing indoors, use a heat mat or HVAC.
Humidity
Genovese basil prefers moderate to high humidity. This is usually above 50% humidity ambiently. You can adjust it by using plant saucers underneath the potter if necessary.
Regular misting will help increase it as well. If humidity is too high, prune the leaves to help bring it down or water less often.
Pruning helps increase the evaporation rate, which reduces humidity. Too high of a humidity level will lead to rot or fungal problems. So don’t go crazy with it. It needs to be around 50%.
If outdoors, regular watering will increase the humidity. Water in the daytime rather than nighttime. This will provide humidity in the afternoon when it needs it.
Sunlight
Genovese basil produces the most yield when given what it wants. Sunlight.
Provide at least 6 hours of direct, full light daily. If you’re growing indoors, it needs a full spectrum grow light that makes it constantly grow those big dark green basil leaves.
Otherwise, outdoor planting in a bright sunny area does the trick. The light should be early morning light.
They do need some shade throughout the day or else they’ll burn if it’s too hot. If you’re in an area with extreme heat, especially in the summertime, you’ll need to accommodate by providing artificial shade.
Plant food
Sprinkle in some bone meal to help supply nutrients to the Genovese roots. Use organic plant food and feed as directed.
Use a balanced fertilizer every month. Liquid fertilizer works well. For indoor basil, you can feed it every other month.
Basil grown indoors require less fertilizer compared to garden-raised ones. Overfeeding can lead to nutrients in the soil column which can bring pests.
They don’t need much plant food. If your soil is good quality, it should be enough to feed it supplemented with 1-2 doses of fertilizer.
Watering
Water your basil every other day, 2-3 times per week.
The soil should