Basil seed buying guide

Choose the Right Basil Seeds

Basil is one of the most popular culinary herbs to grow from seed, with varieties ranging from traditional sweet Italian basil to Thai basil, citrus-scented lemon basil, compact Greek basil, purple-leaved types and aromatic Holy Basil or Tulsi.

Seedmart supplies basil seeds for home gardeners, kitchen gardens, restaurants, market gardeners and commercial herb growers throughout Australia. Choose smaller packets for household growing or larger quantities across selected varieties for repeated sowing and commercial production.

The best basil variety will depend on the flavour you want, how you intend to use the leaves, your available growing space and your local climate.

Why Grow Basil from Seed?

Exceptional Flavour

Grow basil for pesto, pasta, salads, curries, stir-fries, soups, teas, garnishes and fresh summer cooking.

More Variety

Growing from seed gives you access to Italian, Thai, lemon, purple, compact and Holy Basil varieties that may be difficult to find as seedlings.

Repeated Harvests

Regular picking encourages branching and allows established basil plants to produce fresh leaves repeatedly through the growing season.

Excellent in Pots

Basil grows well in garden beds, raised beds, patio pots, balcony containers and productive kitchen gardens.

Loves Warm Weather

Basil thrives during warm, frost-free conditions and is an excellent spring and summer herb across much of Australia.

Packet and Bulk Seed

Choose smaller quantities for home gardens or larger packs across selected varieties for frequent and commercial sowing.

Which Basil Variety Should I Choose?

Basil varieties differ considerably in flavour, aroma, leaf colour, plant habit and culinary use. Choosing the right type is easier when you start with what you want to use the harvest for.

Growing Goal Recommended Basil Why Choose It?
Traditional pesto Genovese Basil Large, tender and highly aromatic leaves with the traditional sweet basil flavour associated with Italian pesto.
Italian cooking Genovese or Sweet Italian Basil Excellent for pasta, pizza, tomato dishes, salads, sauces and fresh Mediterranean-style cooking.
Thai and Southeast Asian dishes Thai Basil or Siam Queen Distinctive sweet, spicy and anise-like flavour suited to curries, soups, noodle dishes and stir-fries.
Pad kra pao and stronger Thai flavour Thai Holy Basil More peppery and clove-like than Thai sweet basil and traditionally used in strongly flavoured Thai dishes.
Citrus flavour Lemon Basil Fresh lemon aroma suited to seafood, salads, teas, dressings, Asian dishes and summer cooking.
Small pots and compact spaces Greek Basil Forms compact plants with small aromatic leaves, making it particularly useful for pots, balconies and borders.
Colour and ornamental appeal Dark Opal Basil Deep purple foliage provides strong colour contrast while remaining useful as a culinary herb and garnish.
Aromatic Tulsi Green Holy Basil Warm, clove-like aromatic foliage suited to herbal infusions, kitchen gardens, containers and pollinator plantings.

Choose Basil by Flavour and Use

Classic Italian

Genovese Basil

Genovese is the traditional choice when you want large green leaves, a sweet basil aroma and classic flavour for pesto, pasta, pizza and tomato dishes.

Sweet & Anise-Like

Thai Basil

Thai basil combines sweetness with a distinctive anise or liquorice-like aroma. It is particularly suited to curries, noodle soups, stir-fries and Asian salads.

Peppery & Aromatic

Holy Basil

Holy Basil or Tulsi has a warmer, stronger and more peppery character than sweet basil, often with noticeable clove-like notes.

Fresh & Citrusy

Lemon Basil

Lemon basil combines familiar basil flavour with a distinctive citrus fragrance that works particularly well with seafood, salads, teas and fresh summer dishes.

Compact

Greek Basil

Greek basil forms compact plants with small leaves and concentrated basil flavour, making it an excellent choice for pots and small-space gardens.

Colourful

Dark Opal Basil

Dark Opal produces attractive purple foliage that adds colour to herb gardens, salads, garnishes and mixed plantings.

Sweet Basil, Thai Basil and Holy Basil

These three groups are sometimes confused, but they have noticeably different flavours and culinary uses.

Basil Type Typical Flavour Best Uses
Sweet / Genovese Basil Sweet, fragrant and traditionally basil-like Pesto, pasta, pizza, tomato dishes, salads and Mediterranean cooking
Thai Basil Sweet, aromatic and noticeably anise or liquorice-like Thai curries, noodle soups, stir-fries and Southeast Asian dishes
Holy Basil / Tulsi Peppery, spicy, strongly aromatic and often clove-like Thai cooking, herbal infusions, aromatic gardens and traditional Tulsi growing

Looking specifically for Holy Basil? Browse our Holy Basil and Tulsi seed collection, including green and red varieties.

Growing Basil from Seed in Australia

Basil is a warm-season herb that grows rapidly when temperatures are suitable. It prefers warm soil, good light, adequate moisture and well-drained growing media.

Growing Requirement General Guide What to Know
Sowing depth Approximately 3–5 mm Cover seeds lightly with fine soil or seed-raising mix rather than planting deeply.
Germination temperature Approximately 18–25°C Warm soil generally produces faster and more reliable germination than cold soil.
Germination time Approximately 5–14 days Timing varies with variety, temperature, moisture and growing conditions.
Position Full sun Strong light encourages compact plants and productive leaf growth. Light afternoon protection can help during extreme heat.
Plant spacing Approximately 20–30 cm Spacing varies according to variety and whether plants are being grown in beds, pots or commercial rows.
Watering Regular and consistent Keep actively growing plants adequately watered but avoid permanently saturated soil.
Harvest Once plants are well established Pick growing tips regularly to encourage branching and continued leaf production.

These are general growing guides only. Climate, season, variety and local conditions can change germination and growth. Check individual product descriptions for variety-specific information.

When to Sow Basil Seeds in Australia

Basil prefers warm conditions and is sensitive to frost. The ideal planting window therefore varies considerably between Australian climate zones.

Cool Climates

Sow during spring and summer once frost risk has passed. Seeds can be started under protection before outdoor conditions are sufficiently warm.

Temperate Climates

Spring through summer is the main growing period. Wait until soil temperatures have warmed before direct sowing outdoors.

Subtropical Climates

Basil can be grown through an extended warm season. Very cold winter conditions should be avoided, while excessive summer humidity may require additional airflow and careful watering.

Tropical Climates

Basil can be grown for much of the year where drainage and disease pressure are managed. Heavy rainfall and prolonged humidity can affect plant health.

Basil dislikes cold soil and frost. In cooler districts, waiting for genuinely warm spring conditions usually gives better establishment than sowing too early.

Can Basil Be Grown in Pots?

Basil in Containers

Basil is particularly well suited to container growing. A sunny patio, balcony, courtyard or kitchen garden can provide enough space for a productive supply of fresh leaves.

  • Choose a container with adequate drainage
  • Use a good-quality, free-draining potting mix
  • Place plants where they receive strong light
  • Water regularly during warm weather
  • Harvest growing tips to encourage bushier plants

Basil in Garden Beds

In garden beds, basil benefits from fertile soil containing organic matter, adequate spacing and regular moisture during active growth.

  • Choose a sunny, well-drained position
  • Allow adequate airflow between plants
  • Avoid repeatedly waterlogging the root zone
  • Harvest regularly throughout the growing season
  • Allow selected plants to flower if seed saving is required

Packet and Bulk Basil Seeds

Home and Small-Scale Growers

Smaller packs are suitable for kitchen gardens, pots, raised beds and customers wanting to grow several different basil varieties.

  • Grow several varieties without purchasing excess seed
  • Ideal for home herb gardens and containers
  • Trial unfamiliar Thai, Tulsi or speciality varieties
  • Useful for succession sowing throughout the warm season

Commercial and Frequent Growers

Larger quantities may provide better value for market gardeners, fresh-herb growers, nurseries and customers sowing basil regularly.

  • Suitable for repeated production schedules
  • Lower seed cost per plant across suitable pack sizes
  • Useful for market gardens and fresh herb production
  • Bulk quantities available across selected varieties

Choose basil by intended use rather than price alone. Genovese, Thai, Holy, Lemon, Greek and purple basils can differ substantially in flavour, plant habit and market appeal.

General Method for Growing Basil from Seed

  1. Wait for warm growing conditions.
    Basil germinates and establishes best when the soil and surrounding air are warm. Avoid sowing outdoors into cold soil.
  2. Prepare trays, pots or garden soil.
    Use a fine, moist, well-drained seed-raising mix or prepared garden bed.
  3. Sow the seed shallowly.
    Place the seeds on the surface and cover lightly with approximately 3–5 mm of fine growing medium.
  4. Keep consistently moist during germination.
    Prevent the seedbed from drying completely, but avoid soaking the soil or leaving containers waterlogged.
  5. Provide plenty of light.
    Move young seedlings into strong light as they establish. Insufficient light can produce weak, stretched plants.
  6. Thin or transplant seedlings.
    Give developing plants enough room for airflow, branching and leaf production.
  7. Harvest the growing tips regularly.
    Once established, pinch or cut stems just above a pair of leaves. This encourages branching and a bushier, more productive plant.
  8. Manage flowering according to your goal.
    Remove flower shoots if continued tender leaf production is the priority, or allow selected plants to flower and mature if you want flowers for pollinators or seed for saving.

Regular harvesting helps keep basil productive. Rather than removing individual leaves continuously, harvesting growing tips can encourage the plant to branch and produce additional leafy stems.

Basil for Bees and Beneficial Insects

Basil is primarily grown for its aromatic leaves, but plants allowed to flower can also become useful additions to pollinator-friendly gardens. The small flowers attract bees and other visiting insects during the warmer months.

If your main goal is culinary leaf production, flower stems are usually pinched out to keep plants producing tender vegetative growth. Alternatively, allow some plants to flower while continuing to harvest others.

Can You Save Basil Seed?

Seed can be collected from suitable open-pollinated basil varieties by allowing healthy plants to flower and the seed heads to mature fully.

Allow Flowers to Mature

Stop pinching selected plants and allow flower spikes to develop naturally until the seed-bearing structures become mature and dry.

Harvest When Dry

Collect mature flower stems during dry conditions before excessive seed is lost from the plant.

Clean and Store

Separate the seed from dried plant material and store thoroughly dry seed in a labelled container in a cool, dry location.

Consider Cross-Pollination

Different basil varieties flowering together may cross. Appropriate isolation is needed where maintaining varietal purity is important.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which basil is best for pesto?

Genovese basil is the traditional choice for pesto. It produces large, tender, aromatic green leaves with the familiar sweet basil flavour associated with Italian cooking.

What is the difference between Thai basil and Holy Basil?

Thai basil generally has a sweeter flavour with a noticeable anise or liquorice character. Holy Basil, also known as Tulsi, is more strongly aromatic, peppery and clove-like. Thai Holy Basil is traditionally used in dishes such as pad kra pao.

Which basil is best for pots?

Most basil varieties can be grown successfully in containers. Greek basil is particularly useful where space is limited because of its compact plant habit, while Genovese, Thai, Lemon and Holy Basil also perform well in suitably sized pots.

When should I plant basil seeds in Australia?

Basil is generally sown during warm, frost-free weather. Spring and summer are the main growing seasons in cool and temperate areas, while subtropical and tropical regions can have a considerably longer planting window.

How long does basil take to germinate?

Basil commonly germinates in approximately 5–14 days when seeds are sown shallowly and kept warm and consistently moist. Cold conditions can considerably slow germination.

Does basil need full sun?

Basil generally performs best with plenty of sunlight. In very hot Australian conditions, some protection from intense afternoon heat can be useful, particularly for plants growing in containers.

Should basil seeds be soaked before planting?

No. Basil seed can normally be sown directly into moist seed-raising mix or prepared soil without soaking. Sow shallowly and maintain consistent moisture while the seed germinates.

Why should basil flowers be pinched off?

Removing developing flower shoots encourages the plant to continue producing vegetative growth and tender leaves. However, flowers can be left in place when growing basil for pollinators or when saving seed.

Can basil be grown indoors?

Yes, but basil requires strong light to remain compact and productive. A bright sunny position or suitable supplementary growing light is generally required for successful long-term indoor production.

Is Holy Basil the same as Tulsi?

Yes. Tulsi is a commonly used name for Holy Basil, particularly plants belonging to Ocimum tenuiflorum. Different forms of Tulsi can vary in leaf colour, aroma, flavour and customary use.

Can basil be grown as microgreens?

Yes. Suitable untreated basil seed can also be grown as microgreens. Basil is slower than many common microgreen crops and is usually grown for its distinctive aroma and flavour rather than rapid crop turnover.

How should basil seed be stored?

Keep unused seed in a cool, dry and stable environment away from moisture, heat and direct sunlight. Seed longevity depends on the variety, seed lot and storage conditions.

Growing Holy Basil? Read our Thai Holy Basil growing guide for more detailed information about Holy Basil, Tulsi, sowing, harvesting and the differences between Holy Basil and Thai sweet basil.

Basil seed for Australian growers

Grow Basil from Seed in Packet or Bulk Quantities

Seedmart supplies basil seeds for home herb gardens, pots, raised beds, restaurants, market gardens and commercial herb production. Choose from traditional Genovese basil, Thai varieties, Lemon Basil, Greek Basil, Dark Opal and aromatic Holy Basil or Tulsi.

Pack sizes vary by variety, with larger quantities available across selected lines. Review the individual product pages above for current pack sizes, treatment status and variety-specific growing information before ordering.