Plant Finder

Other Names:  Lettuce Leaf Basil

Description:

An ornamental herb producing flavorful light green leaves that are large and slightly ruffled; great for mixed containers, herb gardens, and annual beds; fully mature leaves are sweet and mild; great dried or fresh

Edible Qualities

Mammoth Basil is an annual herb that is typically grown for its edible qualities, although it does have ornamental merits as well. The large fragrant oval light green leaves which emerge chartreuse in spring can be harvested at any time in the season. The leaves have a sweet taste and a pleasant fragrance.

The leaves are most often used in the following ways:

• Fresh Eating
• Eating When Cooked/Prepared
• Cooking
• Drying
• Seasoning

Planting & Growing

Mammoth Basil will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 10 inches apart. This fast-growing annual will normally live for one full growing season, needing replacement the following year.

This plant is quite ornamental as well as edible, and is as much at home in a landscape or flower garden as it is in a designated herb garden. It should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Mammoth Basil is a good choice for the edible garden, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.