About this item

• Days to Maturity: 75 from direct sow For more than 125 years, gardeners have been growing Basil Lettuce Leaf. It's simply the most productive variety, with giant leaves on bushy, vigorous plants. The aroma is enticing, and the flavor is more sweet than spicy, a gentle mild bite that the whole family will love. You're going to love this popular favorite!
• About those flowers, though—Lettuce Leaf is slow to bolt, so you'll get a longer season of harvest. And as you pinch off the blooms, save them—they make delicious additions to salads and yummy garnish for the plate.
• Like all aromatic plants, Basil Lettuce Leaf is a natural pest repellant in the garden. Surround vulnerable plants with it, or scatter it throughout the annual bed or cutting garden, so that it can share both its fragrance and its pest-fighting ability with the whole planting. And be sure to pot up a few Lettuce Leaf plants to perfume the deck for outdoor dining. Enjoy this fantastic heirloom.
• Basil Lettuce Leaf is named for its large, slightly serrated and crinkled leaves that can grow up to 4 inches wide and 6 inches long. The leaves are closely spaced on plants that reach 18 to 24 inches in height, producing new growth throughout the season. By removing flower buds as they appear, Lettuce Leaf will continue to produce foliage.
• Use this basil for pesto, sandwiches, and casseroles. You'll have plenty to dry and crumble for the spice rack, and you'll be amazed at how many new ways you can find to use the fresh leaves—they make great faux lettuce for sandwiches, add a tangy bite when layered into lasagne and other Neopolitan dishes, and serve as wraps for appetizers. Combine them with mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, and a dash of balsamic vinegar, and you have the perfect refreshing summer snack.