Everleaf Genovese Basil | Ocimum basilicum | Basil Seeds

Everleaf Genovese Basil is a highly productive and compact basil variety with excellent flavour and strong garden performance. This improved Genovese-type basil produces glossy, aromatic leaves and is notably slow to bolt, allowing gardeners to harvest fresh basil for a longer period throughout the season.

The plants develop dense, bushy growth with short internodes and abundant foliage. Leaves are 2–3 inches long, glossy, and slightly cupped, with the classic sweet Genovese basil aroma that is perfect for pesto, sauces, and Mediterranean cuisine.

Everleaf Genovese is especially well suited for live plant production, container growing, and leaf or tip harvest. Because plants are extremely dense with short internodes, harvesting whole bunches is not recommended.

Compared to standard basil varieties, Everleaf Genovese can delay flowering by up to 8 weeks, extending the harvest window significantly. In trials, only 5–10% of plants began flowering at the same time as traditional basil varieties, making it an excellent choice for continuous leaf production.

This variety also shows intermediate resistance to Fusarium, helping maintain healthier plants during the growing season.

Plant Details

Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum
Common name: Genovese Basil
Life cycle: Annual
Hybrid status: Open pollinated
Plant height: 35–45 cm
Stem length: 25–35 cm
Plant spacing: 20–30 cm
Days to maturity: 60–70 days
Vase life: Not applicable
Flower colour: White
Exposure: Full sun

Sowing

Sowing time: February–May indoors or direct sow after the last frost
Germination time: 5–10 days
Germination temperature: 20–22°C
Light requirement: Light aids germination
Sowing depth: about 5 mm

For container production, sow 2–5 seeds per 10 cm (4") pot. Basil germinates best in warm conditions with evenly moist soil.

Growing Information

Everleaf Genovese basil grows best in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Consistent watering and regular harvesting encourage bushy growth and continued leaf production.

Due to the plant’s dense structure and short internodes, this variety performs especially well in pots, herb gardens, and small growing spaces.

Regular harvesting of leaves and tips promotes new growth and prevents early flowering.

Why Grow Everleaf Genovese Basil

✔ Compact, high-yield basil variety
✔ Slower to flower than standard basil (up to 8 weeks)
✔ Classic Genovese basil flavour
✔ Glossy aromatic leaves perfect for pesto and cooking
✔ Intermediate resistance to Fusarium
✔ Ideal for container growing and live plant production