Collection: Basil Seeds (Heirloom)

Get amazing flavor with the best heirloom basil seeds

Basil is an herb that is native to Central Africa and Southeast Asia that has grown in popularity due to its usage in a range of cuisines and appearance in folk medicine. It's used in a variety of Italian cuisines, including pesto and marinara sauce. Basil is commonly used in thick soups in Taiwan. It's also widely steeped in cream or milk to give ice cream and even chocolate a rich flavor. Heirloom basil is a delightful accent to a variety of cuisines, no matter how you use it.

Popular Varieties of Heirloom Basil

Depending on the variety, heirloom basil plants can grow to be one to five feet tall. Its leaves are typically dark green and ovate, but size and shape vary according to species. Popular varieties include Sweet, Genovese, Italian Large Leaf, Lemon, and Thai Basil. However, the selection does not end there. Almost any culinary need can be met with a basil variety.

Heirloom Basil is Easy to Grow

Heirloom basil is extremely simple to grow and requires very little effort. Many gardeners prefer to grow basil in containers or garden beds near the kitchen door, where it can be easily plucked for use in cooking. When choosing a growing location, look for one that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, and preferably one that is protected from cold winds. Basil grows well in poor, gravelly, well-drained soil. Seeds can be started indoors as early as 6 weeks before the last frost, then moved outside once the weather has warmed and the seedlings have hardened off.

Harvesting Heirloom Basil Plants

When you're ready to harvest your basil, simply pinch off the leaves. The best time to cut is early in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the plants are exposed to the hot midday sun. Basil will be killed off by any frost, so gardeners can extend its life by bringing containers of basil indoors and placing them in a warm and sunny location near a south-facing window. Basil can be grown outside all year in zones 9 and up.

To plant, loosen the soil with a tiller and amend with compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage. Sow basil seeds a quarter-inch deep. Successful plants should be thinned to eight inches apart (or more, depending on the variety). Rows should be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart. Keep the basil soil moist, but don't overwater it.

For more information about planting, growing, and caring for heirloom basil seeds, see our Basil Seeds Planting Guide.