Botanical profile

Lettuce Leaf Basil

Latin name
Ocimum basilicum 'Lettuce Leaf'
Common name
Lettuce Leaf Basil
Type
Annual aromatic herb
Family
Lamiaceae

Lettuce leaf basil is an annual herb prized for its very large, broad, crinkled, tender green leaves that resemble the texture of a lettuce leaf. Its generous foliage offers a sweet, fresh, and slightly spicy aroma, perfect for homemade pestos, salads, sandwiches, wraps, tomato sauces, pasta, and summer dishes. Thanks to its large, easy-to-harvest leaves, it is ideal for vegetable gardens, herb boxes, edible planters, and container gardening near the kitchen.

Easy to grow, lettuce leaf basil prefers a warm, sunny, wind-protected location in fertile, light, and well-drained soil. It appreciates regular watering to maintain tender and flavorful foliage, while avoiding excess water at the roots. To encourage a denser plant and extend the harvest, it is recommended to pinch the stem tips and remove flowers as soon as they appear. Frequent harvesting stimulates the production of new leaves and allows for an abundant basil supply throughout the season.

Very productive and decorative, lettuce leaf basil is an excellent choice for gardeners looking for a generous, easy-to-use, and very versatile variety in the kitchen. Its large leaves are perfect for wrapping fillings, replacing a lettuce leaf in certain recipes, or preparing a milder and more aromatic pesto. It is an essential herb for creating a gourmet, aromatic, and practical garden, both in containers and in the ground.

Care guide

Care level
Easy

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Very large aromatic leaves ideal for pesto, salads, and fresh cooking
Vegetable garden, herbs, balcony, container, Mediterranean cuisine
Container growing
Excellent container plant in a large, well-drained pot
Seasonal care
Pinch regularly to encourage a dense habit; remove flowers to prolong the production of large leaves
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Not hardy
Exposure
Sun
Watering
Regularly; keep the soil slightly moist without overwatering
Humidity
Average moisture; prefers warm, well-drained soil
Fertilization
Light and regular fertilization in pots; avoid excess nitrogen
Soil type
Fertile, light, warm, and well-drained soil
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral
Minimum temperature
10°C
Propagation method
Seeds or cuttings
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Summer to autumn harvest and bloom
Flower color
White to pale purple
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Persistent in hot climates
Shape
Bushy upright habit with large leaves
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches)
Width
30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches)
Growth rate
Rapid growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, parsley
Spacing
30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches)
Harvest period
Spring to autumn leaves
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

Repellent
Helps repel certain pests

Repellent

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.