Growing Italian Large Leaf Basil Indoors with LED Grow Lights
Italian Large Leaf Basil is a large-leaf sweet basil variety that can grow surprisingly well indoors when it receives enough light. In this post, I show how I grew Italian Large Leaf Basil from seed under LED grow lights, from cotyledons and true leaves to repotting, fast growth, giant leaf development, pruning, flowering, and seed collection. If you want to grow basil indoors without a garden, this variety is a fun herb to try because the leaves become large enough to measure with a ruler.
A compact, seed-to-harvest journey—no backyard required.
Quick Summary:
- Italian Large Leaf Basil can grow indoors under LED grow lights.
- I started the plant from seed and watched it grow from cotyledons to true leaves.
- Once the seedlings had 4–6 true leaves, I repotted them into a larger pot with well-draining soil.
- A PAR38 LED grow light placed about 25–40 cm above the plant helped support strong indoor growth.
- This basil grows faster and larger than regular sweet basil in a small indoor space.
- Pinching and pruning help control the height and encourage bushier growth.
- Flower spikes can be cut for longer leaf production or left to dry for seed collection.
- The leaves become very large, making Italian Large Leaf Basil one of the most satisfying basil varieties to grow indoors.
Quick Checklist
- Pot: one size up; drainage holes 필수
- Soil: all-purpose potting mix + gritty amendment (pumice/perlite)
- Light: PAR38 LED, 25–40 cm above a plant, 12–14 h/day
- Pinch/Prune: top early, remove flower spikes for more leaves
- Water: avoid overwatering; water when top layer is dry
Disclosure (near first link): This post reflects my personal indoor grow. I’ve added similar Amazon items for convenience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases (no extra cost to you).
Try it:
👉 Seeds — Italian Large Leaf Basil Seeds (Amazon)
👉 Light — PAR38 LED Grow Bulb (Amazon)
1. What Is Italian Large Leaf Basil—and Why Grow It Indoors?
I’m not a taxonomist, but this appears to be an improved large-leaf sweet basil cultivar. I bought the seeds out of curiosity and grew them indoors because I don’t have an outdoor garden. With a simple grow light, you can absolutely enjoy the process and the look—even if you’re not aiming for big culinary harvests.
2. From Seeds to True Leaves: Early Growth Timeline
Sowing is the same as any basil: start seeds, see cotyledons, then true leaves. Once true leaves show, this variety accelerates quickly, outpacing my regular sweet basil in size and height.
3. Repotting for Vigorous Growth: Pot Size & Soil Mix
When the seedling has 4–6 true leaves, move it to a slightly larger pot. Use a well-draining mix. Better drainage = happier roots and faster growth.
4. LED Grow Lights: Height, Hours, and Real Results
Store-bought grow lights are enough. While sun-grown basil can be more flavorful, structure and vigor are excellent under LEDs. Keep the bulb 25–40 cm above the basil for 12–14 hours daily
5. Pinching, Pruning, and Flowering: Harvest or Save Seeds
This variety gets big—in tight spaces it can feel oversized. I pinch the top, prune side shoots, and cut flower spikes when they appear to extend leaf production. If you want seeds, let spikes bloom and dry before collecting.
6. Leaf Size & Final Stage
The leaves are genuinely giant—fun to measure with a ruler. Once seeds set, the life cycle winds down. Indoors with lights, you can grow year-round. Want to replicate the setup?
Mini-FAQ
Q1. How far should the PAR38 be from the leaves?
A. Start around 25–40 cm; watch for stretch (too far) or leaf curl/bleach (too close).
Q2. How often should I water indoors?
A. Let the top layer dry between waterings. Overwatering is the fastest way to stress basil roots.
Q3. Does LED basil taste different?
A. Often milder than sun-grown, but growth and leaf size are excellent for indoor projects.
- 🌱 Ready to grow your own? 👉 Italian Large Leaf Basil Seeds (Amazon)
- 💡 No sunny window? Go LED. 👉 PAR38 LED Grow Bulb (Amazon)
- 🧪 Track progress: measure leaf width/length over time.
- 🔔 Follow our blog for more indoor herb experiments and lighting tests.
Note: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through the links above, at no additional cost to you.
Visit Us at Greenfingers
Thanks for reading! All the plants you see in my posts are lovingly raised right here at Greenfingers. We specialize in healthy, vibrant tropical plants and want to share the joy of gardening with the world.
If you’re a plant lover traveling through South Korea, feel free to stop by and say hello!
- Farm Name: Greenfingers (그린핑거스)
- Location: 42-6, Munbak-gil, Nangseong-myeon, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea (Postal Code: 28182)
- Follow us on Instagram: [@greenfingers.center]
"Growing happiness, one leaf at a time."
