# Large Leaf Basil Varieties
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Ruffles
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"O. basilicum" cv. Green Ruffles has large quilted and serrated leaves. It has a rounded growth habit and grows to 2 feet high. Its purple-leaved variety, Purple Ruffles, has the same kind of leaves and growth habit. Lettuce Leaf basil has large crinkled leaves on a short plant. The leaves are large enough to wrap food in for cooking or for making sandwich wraps, with a stronger flavor than ordinary lettuce. Ruffled leaf basil is very decorative in the herb garden, vegetable garden, hanging planters and flower beds.
Giants
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Basil varieties with giant leaves include Monstruoso, Mammoth and Genovese. The leaves of Monstruoso basil grow up to 6 inches long. Mammoth basil leaves grow up to 4 inches long, with a licorice flavor. Genovese basil plants grow up to 3 feet high, taller than most other basil varieties, and their leaves grow up to 3 inches long. Giant leaf basils produce bigger harvests than medium and small leaf varieties, as well as taking up more space in the herb or vegetable garden.
Sweet
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Sweet basil varieties with large leaves include Basil Plenty and Italian Large Leaf. These large leaf varieties are mild flavored and sweetly fragrant, without any pungency. Basil Plenty is a strong grower and prolific producer, as well as resistant to Fusarium wilt. Italian Large Leaf Basil has leaves that grow up to 4 inches long on 2-foot tall plants.
Growing Basil
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As a tender annual grown in the summers of cold climate areas, basil must be planted anew each year. If left to flower and reseed in tropical and temperate climates, it constantly replenishes itself in the garden. Basil seeds are tiny and don't need to be planted very deeply. Just sprinkle them on the surface and cover with a very thin layer of fine soil. Use a fine mist to water seeds and seedlings until strong seedlings are established. Basil is very sensitive to drying out and requires consistent water, although evening and overnight moisture should be avoided to prevent wilt and fungus diseases. Most varieties of basil grow in a rounded mound between 1 and 2 feet tall. Basil is a companion plant for tomatoes.
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