Prospera Italian Large Leaf DMR is a fast-growing F1 hybrid basil bred for both flavor and disease resistance. Large, tender leaves reach harvest in just 74 days, making it one of the quickest routes to a productive basil plant. This variety carries genetic resistance to both downy mildew and Fusarium wilt, two diseases that can devastate basil crops, so you can grow with confidence even in challenging conditions. The compact bush habit and substantial leaf size make it equally at home in a kitchen garden bed or a container on the patio.
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The real draw here is the disease resistance combined with speed. Downy mildew resistance alone is worth its weight in gold if you've ever watched a basil crop collapse mid-summer, and the addition of Fusarium wilt protection makes this hybrid a genuinely reliable choice. Large leaves mean fewer plants needed to fill a vase or sauce pot, and at 74 days from seed to first substantial harvest, you're looking at basil leaves by mid-summer no matter where you live.
Italian Large Leaf basil is the workhorse of the herb kitchen. The generous leaf size makes it efficient for harvesting by hand, and the tender texture works beautifully fresh in caprese salads, pasta dishes, and pesto. These leaves bruise easily when picked, so gentle handling rewards you with better flavor and appearance in the finished dish.
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Sow seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep and maintain soil temperature around 70°F (21°C) for best germination. Transplant seedlings to the garden when they have developed 3 to 4 sets of leaves.
Move seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space plants 4 to 8 inches apart in full sun.
Direct seed into warm soil by planting seeds 1/4 inch deep at a rate of 2 to 3 seeds per inch in rows spaced 18 inches apart. Firm soil over seeds. Thinning is not strictly necessary, but spacing plants 4 to 8 inches apart produces fuller, healthier plants.
Begin harvesting lightly once the plant is fully established. The best time to harvest is early morning when leaves are cool and less likely to wilt. Pinch or cut leaves from the top of the plant to encourage branching. For a full harvest, cut the entire plant 4 to 6 inches above the ground just before flowering begins. Handle leaves gently during picking, as they bruise easily and lose quality when damaged.
Pinch off flower buds as they appear to redirect energy toward leaf production and extend the harvest window. Cut the entire plant 4 to 6 inches above the ground just before it begins to flower to encourage a second flush of growth.
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