Basil 'Genovese' Seeds

Start indoors from March, when there is enough light for sturdy seedlings, and keep sowing a small pot every three or four weeks until June for a steady supply. Basil hates cold, so only move plants outside in June once nights are reliably mild.

Yes, and in most UK summers a pot is the best way to grow it. A 20 cm pot on a sunny windowsill, greenhouse shelf or sheltered patio will hold one bushy plant. Use free-draining compost and let the surface dry slightly between waterings.

No. It is a tender annual that flowers, sets seed and dies within a season, and it will not survive frost. A plant brought indoors in autumn may last a few more weeks, but fresh sowings each spring give the best leaves.

We always aim to make sure our customers love our products, but if you do need to return an order within 14 days of purchase (not including plants*), or any items are damaged, we’re happy to help. Just email us directly at hello@growtropicals.com, and we’ll take you through the process. 

Please note: we cannot be held liable for any packaging costs should the original packaging be discarded.

*Unfortunately we cannot accept returns of undamaged plants as these are perishable items and are not saleable upon return. If a plant is damaged, we will compensate for this as per our live arrival guarantee.

When placing your order, you can choose from three dispatch speeds to suit your needs: Economy (prepared and shipped within 4-5 days), Standard (3-5 days), or Express (dispatched the very next day). Please keep in mind that "dispatch" refers to the time it takes our team to prepare and pack your items before handing them over to the courier, not the total delivery time.

Shipping costs are based on your total order value and will be calculated at checkout, with free shipping automatically applied to all orders over £60. For a full breakdown of shipping prices see our Help Centre.

Additionally, to protect the health and quality of our live plants, orders containing plants are exclusively shipped Monday through Thursday. This careful scheduling prevents your plants from being stuck in a dark shipping depot over the weekend, ensuring they arrive at your door vibrant and healthy.