Skip to product information
1 of 6
Hudson Valley Seed Co.

Genovese Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Certified Organic

Microgreens Suitable

Classic basil for pesto boasts excellent flavor and quality.

Hundreds of years ago, Genovese villagers selected this basil for making pesto. It features large, thick, deep green leaves on sturdy plants. Yes, you can make pesto with a food processor. But why not spend a half hour on some breezy, summery day making it the old-fashioned way with a mortar and pestle? (Ah, now you know where that word comes from!) No time for pesto tonight? Not to worry: this variety is also the ideal basil for stews, soups, and sautés. Buon appetito!

Unit Price Quantity Availability
250 Seeds $4.99
In Stock
250 seeds | Art Pack $5.79
In Stock
750 Seeds $8.39
In Stock
1 Ounce $9.79
In Stock

Price as selected: $0.00

Ships within 2-3 business days

Growing instructions
Direct sow after frost, or start indoors up to 1 month before last frost date. For young, tender basil plants, space 2" apart; for bigger, heartier plants space 8-12" apart. To have fresh basil the whole season, start in succession at one-month intervals. Pinch off tallest growth in order to keep basil from flowering; flavor becomes too strong once in bloom. Good for garden or container plantings.
Product Details
Days to Maturity 68 days
Days to Germination 4-10 days
Width at Maturity 12"
Height at Maturity 12-24"
Hardiness Zone Range Annual
Sun Conditions Full Sun (8+ Hours Sun)
Planting Depth 1/4"
Row Spacing 12-24"
Plant Spacing 2-12"
About the artist
Art by Hazel Jarvis. A reverence for travel and tradition shines through Hazel Jarvis's works. Trained in botanical watercolor and traditional Japanese painting, she blends collage and paint to illustrate the Italian basil dish that took the world by storm.
    Fresh Genovese basil herb plant from Hudson Valley Seed Co., vibrant green leaves on a healthy, leafy basil bush.
    Fresh Genovese basil herb from Hudson Valley Seed Co. with vibrant green leaves, ideal for culinary use and garnishing dishes.
    Fresh Genovese basil herb plant from Hudson Valley Seed Co. with vibrant green leaves and aromatic foliage.
    Fresh Genovese basil herb plant from Hudson Valley Seed Co., lush green leaves ideal for cooking and garnishing.
    Fresh Genovese basil herb plant from Hudson Valley Seed Co., vibrant green leaves ideal for cooking and garnishing.
    Fresh Genovese basil herb plant with vibrant green leaves, grown by Hudson Valley Seed Co.
    • 5 stars: 4 (100%)
    • 4 stars: 0 (0%)
    • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
    • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
    • 1 star: 0 (0%)
    L
    L.V.

    So far so good. I'm growing the basil hydroponically and every seed sprouted quickly and strongly. We can't wait to taste it!

    K
    Kim B.

    Love, love, love Hudson Valley seeds! Here are my Genovese babies for my indoor culinary herb garden. Whether regular packs or beautiful art packs, I have found that Hudson Valley seeds are of excellent quality. Within my southern Ontario, Canada climate only Hudson Valley had specialty seeds that I had the pleasure to try & enjoy last year. This year I will be adding some of your new veg additions that I can update when I start them. #superexcitedgardener

    L
    Lauren

    Everything i buy here is wonderful.

    J
    Jennifer R.

    I’ve had problems growing basil before so was ambivalent about how this might turn out. I was pleasantly surprised and made several batches of pesto. I’ve had good luck with all of the packages of seeds that I got from here so will now buy all of my seeds here. I love that they are organic and grown for our area. And the art packs! They’re beautiful!