Growing Sweet Mammoth Basil Indoors with LED Grow Lights

Growing Sweet Mammoth Basil Indoors with LED Grow Lights

From seed to flower, follow the complete journey of this lettuce-like basil grown under LED lights.

🛡️ Disclosure  This post is based on my personal experience growing Sweet Mammoth Basil indoors. While I did not use this exact product, I’ve included similar items available on Amazon that could be helpful. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.


1. What Is Sweet Mammoth Basil and Why Grow It Indoors?

Sweet Mammoth Basil is often confused with Lettuce Leaf Basil due to its large, ruffled leaves—but they are technically different varieties within the sweet basil family. Both are ideal for indoor growing and visually stunning.

Basil growing well indoors

Measuring a large basil leaf


2. From Seed to Lettuce-Like Leaves: Early Growth Stages

The seeding process is familiar if you've grown basil before, but the leaves are what set this variety apart. The true leaves are bumpy like lettuce.

Sweet Mammoth Basil seeds

Basil sprouting with first true leaves

Basil with curled, lettuce-like leaves


3. How LED Grow Lights Help This Basil Thrive

Basil needs plenty of light to grow strong, and when sunlight is limited, LED grow lights do the job. 

the flavor may not be as rich as sun-grown basil, but visually and structurally, the growth is solid. I used a full-spectrum LED light, and the results were healthy plants.

Transplanting basil into a pot

Transplanting basil into a pot


4. Pruning and Flowering: Timing It Right

Once the leaves grow large enough, you can harvest and enjoy them.
But be ready—eventually flower stalks will rise.
Here’s what you can do:

  • ✂️ Cut the stalks to extend the plant’s life and encourage more leaf growth.
  • 🌱 Let the stalks bloom and dry to collect seeds and grow new basil.

Both options work great depending on your goal.

Basil after pruning

Basil flower stalk beginning to rise

5. Harvesting and Measuring: The Final Stage

When the flowers form seeds, the plant nears the end of its life cycle.
This moment always feels meaningful—watching a seed grow into a leafy, productive plant.

Measuring a large basil leaf

Basil at the end of its life cycle


  • 💡 Don’t have enough sunlight? Use a full-spectrum LED grow light. 👉 Check out the LED grow light I recommend on Amazon
  • 📸 Save this post and compare your own basil’s growth!
  • 🔔 Follow our blog for more indoor gardening tutorials and plant tips.


Note As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through the links above, at no additional cost to you.

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