Basil Seeds - Lettuce Leaf
Estimated delivery between February 04 and February 07.
Basil Seeds - Lettuce Leaf
Lettuce Leaf Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a unique and flavorful variety of basil known for its large, tender leaves that resemble lettuce in shape. This variety offers a milder, more delicate flavor compared to other basil types, making it a versatile addition to your herb garden. Growing Lettuce Leaf Basil from seed allows you to enjoy fresh, aromatic leaves for culinary use while adding a lush, green touch to your garden or windowsill.
Key Features of Lettuce Leaf Basil Seeds
Large, Tender Leaves
Lettuce Leaf Basil is celebrated for its large, broad leaves that have a soft, lettuce-like texture. These vibrant green leaves are perfect for use in salads, garnishes, or adding to dishes like pesto, pasta, and sandwiches. The leaves are easy to harvest and grow back quickly, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh basil.
Milder Flavor
Compared to other varieties of basil, Lettuce Leaf Basil has a milder, more subtle flavor, making it ideal for those who prefer a less intense basil taste. It still offers the signature sweet and slightly spicy notes of basil but with a more delicate, refreshing profile.
Fast-Growing
Lettuce Leaf Basil is a fast-growing herb that can be cultivated throughout the growing season. From sowing to harvest, it typically takes just a few weeks for the leaves to become large enough to use. This makes it an excellent choice for gardeners looking for quick results.
Compact Growth Habit
This variety has a compact growth habit, making it suitable for both small garden spaces and container gardening. Lettuce Leaf Basil grows well in pots, raised beds, or in-ground gardens, thriving in warm, sunny conditions.
Benefits of Lettuce Leaf Basil Seeds
Perfect for Culinary Use
Lettuce Leaf Basil's mild flavor and large leaves make it an ideal choice for culinary enthusiasts. Use the fresh leaves in salads, as a garnish, or in various Mediterranean and Italian dishes, such as pesto, pasta, and bruschetta.
Easy to Grow
Lettuce Leaf Basil is beginner-friendly and quick to grow. Whether you're a novice gardener or an experienced grower, this basil variety is perfect for those looking for an herb that is low-maintenance and rewarding. It thrives with minimal care and will continue to grow abundantly throughout the season.
Great for Indoor Gardening
Lettuce Leaf Basil grows well in containers, making it a fantastic choice for indoor gardens. It thrives on windowsills with plenty of sunlight, offering a fresh and aromatic herb to use in cooking year-round, even in colder climates.
Attracts Pollinators
Like other basil varieties, Lettuce Leaf Basil attracts beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden, helping support local ecosystems. Its flowers, though small, are highly attractive to pollinators, ensuring a productive garden.
How to Plant and Care for Lettuce Leaf Basil Seeds
Starting Seeds
Start by planting Lettuce Leaf Basil seeds in a well-draining seed-starting mix. Sow the seeds on the surface of the soil and gently press them down, as basil requires light to germinate. Mist the surface with water to keep the seeds moist. Keep the tray in a warm, sunny location (around 70-75°F or 21-24°C) to encourage germination, which typically takes 5-10 days.
Transplanting Seedlings
Once your basil seedlings have developed several sets of leaves and the danger of frost has passed, transplant them into individual pots or directly into your garden. Space the plants about 12-18 inches apart to allow for healthy growth. If growing in pots, use containers with good drainage to avoid root rot.
Watering
Basil plants prefer evenly moist soil. Water your Lettuce Leaf Basil regularly, especially during dry periods, but ensure the soil drains well to prevent standing water. Avoid wetting the leaves when watering, as this can encourage fungal diseases.
Lighting
Lettuce Leaf Basil thrives in full sunlight, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. If growing indoors, place the plant near a south- or west-facing window, or supplement with grow lights if natural sunlight is insufficient.
Temperature
Lettuce Leaf Basil prefers warm temperatures and should be kept in a location with temperatures between 70-85°F (21-29°C). Avoid placing the plant in areas with cold drafts or temperatures below 50°F (10°C), as this can stunt growth and damage the plant.
Fertilizing
Fertilize your Lettuce Leaf Basil with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can result in excessive leaf growth at the expense of flavor. Basil thrives in nutrient-rich soil, but too much fertilizer can lead to weak, leggy plants.
Harvesting and Propagating Lettuce Leaf Basil
Harvesting
Begin harvesting Lettuce Leaf Basil once the plants are well-established and the leaves are large enough to use. Pinch off leaves from the top to encourage bushier growth, and always remove any flowers to prevent the plant from going to seed. Regular harvesting ensures a continuous supply of fresh basil throughout the growing season.
Propagation by Cuttings
Lettuce Leaf Basil is easily propagated from cuttings. Take a healthy cutting from a mature plant, remove the lower leaves, and place the stem in water until roots develop. Once the roots are established, transplant the cutting into soil to grow a new plant.
Perfect For:
- Culinary Gardens: A must-have herb for anyone who enjoys fresh basil in cooking, especially for salads, pesto, and Mediterranean dishes.
- Indoor Herb Gardens: Grows well in containers, making it ideal for indoor herb gardens, kitchens, or windowsills.
- Small Spaces: Perfect for gardeners with limited space, as it grows well in pots, containers, or small garden plots.
- Pollinator-Friendly Gardens: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to support your garden's ecosystem.
Why Choose Lettuce Leaf Basil Seeds?
Lettuce Leaf Basil Seeds provide an easy and rewarding way to grow a unique and flavorful basil variety. With its large, tender leaves and mild flavor, Lettuce Leaf Basil is a perfect addition to any herb garden or kitchen. Whether you’re growing it indoors or outdoors, this basil variety thrives in warm, sunny conditions and offers months of fresh leaves for culinary use. Ideal for beginner gardeners, Lettuce Leaf Basil is a low-maintenance herb that will continue to provide fresh, aromatic basil throughout the growing season.
Dharaseeds
Basil Seeds - Lettuce Leaf
Estimated delivery between February 04 and February 07.
Basil Seeds - Lettuce Leaf
Lettuce Leaf Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a unique and flavorful variety of basil known for its large, tender leaves that resemble lettuce in shape. This variety offers a milder, more delicate flavor compared to other basil types, making it a versatile addition to your herb garden. Growing Lettuce Leaf Basil from seed allows you to enjoy fresh, aromatic leaves for culinary use while adding a lush, green touch to your garden or windowsill.
Key Features of Lettuce Leaf Basil Seeds
Large, Tender Leaves
Lettuce Leaf Basil is celebrated for its large, broad leaves that have a soft, lettuce-like texture. These vibrant green leaves are perfect for use in salads, garnishes, or adding to dishes like pesto, pasta, and sandwiches. The leaves are easy to harvest and grow back quickly, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh basil.
Milder Flavor
Compared to other varieties of basil, Lettuce Leaf Basil has a milder, more subtle flavor, making it ideal for those who prefer a less intense basil taste. It still offers the signature sweet and slightly spicy notes of basil but with a more delicate, refreshing profile.
Fast-Growing
Lettuce Leaf Basil is a fast-growing herb that can be cultivated throughout the growing season. From sowing to harvest, it typically takes just a few weeks for the leaves to become large enough to use. This makes it an excellent choice for gardeners looking for quick results.
Compact Growth Habit
This variety has a compact growth habit, making it suitable for both small garden spaces and container gardening. Lettuce Leaf Basil grows well in pots, raised beds, or in-ground gardens, thriving in warm, sunny conditions.
Benefits of Lettuce Leaf Basil Seeds
Perfect for Culinary Use
Lettuce Leaf Basil's mild flavor and large leaves make it an ideal choice for culinary enthusiasts. Use the fresh leaves in salads, as a garnish, or in various Mediterranean and Italian dishes, such as pesto, pasta, and bruschetta.
Easy to Grow
Lettuce Leaf Basil is beginner-friendly and quick to grow. Whether you're a novice gardener or an experienced grower, this basil variety is perfect for those looking for an herb that is low-maintenance and rewarding. It thrives with minimal care and will continue to grow abundantly throughout the season.
Great for Indoor Gardening
Lettuce Leaf Basil grows well in containers, making it a fantastic choice for indoor gardens. It thrives on windowsills with plenty of sunlight, offering a fresh and aromatic herb to use in cooking year-round, even in colder climates.
Attracts Pollinators
Like other basil varieties, Lettuce Leaf Basil attracts beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden, helping support local ecosystems. Its flowers, though small, are highly attractive to pollinators, ensuring a productive garden.
How to Plant and Care for Lettuce Leaf Basil Seeds
Starting Seeds
Start by planting Lettuce Leaf Basil seeds in a well-draining seed-starting mix. Sow the seeds on the surface of the soil and gently press them down, as basil requires light to germinate. Mist the surface with water to keep the seeds moist. Keep the tray in a warm, sunny location (around 70-75°F or 21-24°C) to encourage germination, which typically takes 5-10 days.
Transplanting Seedlings
Once your basil seedlings have developed several sets of leaves and the danger of frost has passed, transplant them into individual pots or directly into your garden. Space the plants about 12-18 inches apart to allow for healthy growth. If growing in pots, use containers with good drainage to avoid root rot.
Watering
Basil plants prefer evenly moist soil. Water your Lettuce Leaf Basil regularly, especially during dry periods, but ensure the soil drains well to prevent standing water. Avoid wetting the leaves when watering, as this can encourage fungal diseases.
Lighting
Lettuce Leaf Basil thrives in full sunlight, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. If growing indoors, place the plant near a south- or west-facing window, or supplement with grow lights if natural sunlight is insufficient.
Temperature
Lettuce Leaf Basil prefers warm temperatures and should be kept in a location with temperatures between 70-85°F (21-29°C). Avoid placing the plant in areas with cold drafts or temperatures below 50°F (10°C), as this can stunt growth and damage the plant.
Fertilizing
Fertilize your Lettuce Leaf Basil with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can result in excessive leaf growth at the expense of flavor. Basil thrives in nutrient-rich soil, but too much fertilizer can lead to weak, leggy plants.
Harvesting and Propagating Lettuce Leaf Basil
Harvesting
Begin harvesting Lettuce Leaf Basil once the plants are well-established and the leaves are large enough to use. Pinch off leaves from the top to encourage bushier growth, and always remove any flowers to prevent the plant from going to seed. Regular harvesting ensures a continuous supply of fresh basil throughout the growing season.
Propagation by Cuttings
Lettuce Leaf Basil is easily propagated from cuttings. Take a healthy cutting from a mature plant, remove the lower leaves, and place the stem in water until roots develop. Once the roots are established, transplant the cutting into soil to grow a new plant.
Perfect For:
- Culinary Gardens: A must-have herb for anyone who enjoys fresh basil in cooking, especially for salads, pesto, and Mediterranean dishes.
- Indoor Herb Gardens: Grows well in containers, making it ideal for indoor herb gardens, kitchens, or windowsills.
- Small Spaces: Perfect for gardeners with limited space, as it grows well in pots, containers, or small garden plots.
- Pollinator-Friendly Gardens: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to support your garden's ecosystem.
Why Choose Lettuce Leaf Basil Seeds?
Lettuce Leaf Basil Seeds provide an easy and rewarding way to grow a unique and flavorful basil variety. With its large, tender leaves and mild flavor, Lettuce Leaf Basil is a perfect addition to any herb garden or kitchen. Whether you’re growing it indoors or outdoors, this basil variety thrives in warm, sunny conditions and offers months of fresh leaves for culinary use. Ideal for beginner gardeners, Lettuce Leaf Basil is a low-maintenance herb that will continue to provide fresh, aromatic basil throughout the growing season.
Non-GMO
Dharaseeds are Non-GMO and free from genetically modified organisms.
High Germination Rate
Tested for high viability to ensure successful sprouting.
Heirloom Variety
Open-pollinated seeds preserved for quality and authenticity.
Chemical-Free
Free from synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and additives.