Growing Italian Large Leaf Basil Indoors with LED Grow Lights

A compact, seed-to-harvest journey—no backyard required.

TL;DR (30-second summary)

Indoors works. A basic Plant LED grow light is enough to raise Italian Large Leaf Basil.
Repot at 4–6 true leaves into a well-draining mix to speed growth.
Pinch tops for a bushier plant; cut flower spikes to keep harvesting leaves.
Leaves get huge—measure with a ruler and plan space accordingly.
Seeds & light links below; you can grow year-round (365 days) 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?