Rooted Futures

Growing Change

Basil: Sweet Genovese

  • Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • Crop Type: Herb
  • Other Names: Sweet Basil; Italian Basil; Genovese Basil; Basiliekruid (Afrikaans)
  • Lifecycle: Annual
  • Uses: Culinary herb (pesto, fresh garnish, sauces); companion planting; pollinator attractant

Basil (Sweet Genovese) is an aromatic annual herb in the Lamiaceae family. Plants produce bushy growth with broad, bright green, slightly cupped leaves and white flower spikes when mature.

Leaves and flowers are edible, prized for their sweet, peppery flavour characteristic of traditional Italian basil. Best flavour is achieved from young leaves harvested before flowering.

Widely cultivated as a warm-season herb in gardens, containers, and hydroponic systems, requiring consistent warmth and protection from frost. Sweet Genovese is the standard cultivar for pesto production and is noted for its vigorous leaf production when regularly harvested before flowering.

Climate
  • Climate Suitability
    Warm frost-free seasons; suitable for most SA summer gardens and year-round in tunnels
  • Frost Tolerance
    Frost sensitive
  • Heat Tolerance
    High
  • Sun Type
    Full sun
  • Soil Texture
    Loam to sandy loam
  • Drainage Requirement
    Well-drained
  • Preferred pH Range
    6.0-7.5 pH
  • Water Requirement
    Moderate
  • Irrigation Type
    Drip; Micro Irrigation; Manual Watering; Hydroponic Recirculating
Propagation
  • Propagation Type
    Seed; Cutting
  • Propagation Season
    Spring to summer
  • Propagation Notes
    Sow into warm trays or direct sow after frost; pinch tips to encourage branching.
  • Germination Days
    5-10 days
  • Days To Transplant
    21-35 days
Planting
  • Planting Season
    Spring to early summer after frost
  • Plant Spacing
    25-35 cm
  • Row Spacing
    30-45 cm
  • Container Suitable
    Yes
Companion Crop Notes
Classic companion for tomatoes; aromatic oils may confuse pests; thrives in warm, sheltered positions near taller crops.

No companion Crops on recorded.

Please contact us should you feel that this is incorrect.

Competitor Crop Notes
Avoid crowding with moisture-loving or very vigorous herbs; rue traditionally avoided.

No companion Crops on recorded.

Please contact us should you feel that this is incorrect.

Pests & Diseases
  • Pest Types
    Aphids; Whitefly; Thrips; Caterpillars; Spider Mites
  • Pest Control
    Scout regularly, prune affected foliage, use biological controls, insect netting and approved low-toxicity treatments when necessary.
  • Disease Types
    Downy mildew, Fusarium wilt, Damping-off, Leaf spot, Grey mould (Botrytis)
  • Disease Control
    Use clean seed, improve airflow, avoid wet foliage, remove infected plants and use resistant varieties where available.
Harvest
  • Days to Harvest from Seed
    45-70 days
  • Days to Harvest from Transplant
    20-35 days
  • Harvest Season
    Summer to autumn; protected year-round possible
  • Harvest Notes
    Harvest tips regularly before flowering; best flavour from young leaves harvested in morning.
Nutrition
  • Edible Parts
    Leaves; Flowers
  • Reference Food State
    Fresh leaves
  • Serving Size
    100 g
  • Nutrition Basis
    Per 100g raw edible portion
Calories (kcal)
23 kcal
Calories (kj)
96 kj
Total Carbohydrates
2.65 g
Protein
3.15 g
Total Fat
0.64 g
Dietary Fibre
1.6 g
Starch
0 g
Total Sugars
0.3 g
Monounsaturated Fat
0.088 g
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
0.316 g
Omega-6 Fatty Acids
0.073 g
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.389 g
Saturated Fat
0.041 g
Click Here
Trans Fat
0 g
Calcium
177 mg
Chromium
0 mcg
Copper
0.385 mg
Iron
3.17 mg
Iodine
0 mcg
Magnesium
64 mg
Manganese
1.148 mg
Molybdenum
0 mcg
Phosphorus
56 mg
Potassium
295 mg
Selenium
0.3 mcg
Sodium
4 mg
Zinc
0.81 mg
Vitamin A
264 mcg RE
Thiamin (Vitamin B1)
0.034 mg
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
0.076 mg
Niacin (Vitamin B3)
0.902 mg NE
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
0.209 mg
Vitamin B6
0.155 mg
Biotin (Vitamin B7)
0 mcg
Folate (Vitamin B9)
68 mcg
Vitamin B12
0 mcg
Vitamin C
18 mg
Vitamin D
0 mcg
Vitamin E
0.8 mg alpha-tocopherol
Vitamin K
414.8 mcg

Powered by
►
Necessary cookies enable essential site features like secure log-ins and consent preference adjustments. They do not store personal data.
None
►
Functional cookies support features like content sharing on social media, collecting feedback, and enabling third-party tools.
None
►
Analytical cookies track visitor interactions, providing insights on metrics like visitor count, bounce rate, and traffic sources.
None
►
Advertisement cookies deliver personalized ads based on your previous visits and analyze the effectiveness of ad campaigns.
None
Powered by