Basil Mammoth

What Basil Mammoth is

Basil Mammoth (Ocimum basilicum) is an annual herb of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). Basil Mammoth is a vigorous annual that grows 46-61 cm tall.

It produces huge, slightly ruffled, glossy green leaves, twice as large as other basil types, also called lettuce-leaf basil.

The flavour is similar to sweet basil.

Give the plant plenty of space, 15-20 cm, so that the leaves can dry out after wet spells.

Use fresh or dried leaves. Fully mature leaves have a sweet, mild taste and smell.

Its traditional use is against stress, anxiety, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and dementia.

Basil is the king of aromatic herbs — for tomato salad, pesto, pasta and pizza. It grows easily in the garden, in a pot and on a windowsill.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 80%
• Seeds per packet: 331–449 pcs (0.6 g)
• Seed origin: Italy
• Sowing: March and April; transplants or direct
• Flowering: June – September
• Harvest: June – September
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Basil Mammoth

Basil Mammoth seeds are sown in March and April. The plants flower from June to September. The crop is harvested from June to September. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Basil Mammoth

• Sowing method: seedlings or direct
• Depth: 0.3–0.5 cm
• Spacing: 20–30 cm
• Germination: 5–10 days at 20–25 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Sow basil seeds directly in the garden once all danger of frost has passed. For areas with short growing seasons, start the herb seeds indoors 4 - 8 weeks before moving outside. Grow the basil herb in rich, well-drained soil and in the sun. Plant basil in the vegetable garden next to tomatoes and peppers as a companion plant to repel aphids, mites and hornworms on the tomatoes. Basil seeds need warmth to germinate, ideally around 21°C. This can easily be achieved on a sunny windowsill indoors. Basil can also be grown indoors all year round, especially if you have a sunny window or full-spectrum lights. It does great in containers; just make sure you add some compost or another nutrient-rich amendment to your potting mix. Once germinated, encourage strong seedlings by giving them plenty of sun and moisture. Do not overwater: basil seedlings are very prone to damping off. A greenhouse is the ideal place for your basil plants, just make sure you water them often to prevent them from flowering prematurely.

Sow in warm soil — below 12 °C basil stops growing. Pinch out the tips so it branches, and remove flowers for more leaves.

Harvest and use

Pick the leaves before flowering — the aroma is strongest then. Cut above a pair of leaves so that new shoots form.

Frequently asked questions

When should Basil Mammoth be sown?

The recommended sowing months are March and April. Sowing method: seedlings or direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 331–449 seeds, pack size 0.6 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 80%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

Can basil be grown on a windowsill?

Yes — on a sunny window, in a pot with drainage, with regular but moderate watering.

Why does basil turn black?

From cold below 10 °C or from overwatering. Only take it outside after mid-May.