Overview of Lemon Basil

Known as Thai lemon basil, hoary basil, or Lao basil, lemon basil is a hybrid plant between basil and American basil. Herbs such as this one are grown in northeastern Africa and southern Asia for their lemon scents and are used in cooking. Lemon basil can reach a height of 20-40 cm. The flavour is similar to that of sweet basil, making it ideal for a colourful pesto. 

More to love in Lemon Basil: 

• A novel variety of basil, lemon basil adds a delicate tangy taste to dressings, salads and soups
• It is only lemon basil that is used a lot in Indonesian cuisine, where it is called kemangi
• It is commonly eaten raw in Thailand with salad or lalap (raw vegetables) and sambal
• It would be helpful if you cut basil before flowering since this detracts from its taste

Benefits of Lemon Basil

Various Indonesian dishes, such as curries, soups, stews, and steamed or grilled dishes, are seasoned with lemon basil. Lemon basil contains beta-carotene, which turns into vitamin A in the body to protect against blindness. Additionally, they contain vitamin K, which promotes wound healing, as well as magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, calcium, and vitamin C.

How to Sow and Care for Lemon Basil Seeds

Lemon Basil seeds should be planted indoors between January and December in trays of seed compost 5mm deep and covered with finely sieved compost or vermiculite. It is also possible to grow them in a greenhouse or on a windowsill. Just make sure to protect them and keep the temperature between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius.

Germination takes about one to two weeks when the soil is moist. Ensure that seeds are watered sparingly once they have germinated to prevent damping off. After transplanting the seedlings into small pots, they should be grown for four weeks. Alternatively, you can transplant plants into a larger pot, about 15cm wide, or into a garden, spacing plants every 25cm apart in 25cm rows.

Lemon basil grows best in sunny, sheltered soil with good drainage. Lemon basil should not be exposed to direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Ideally, lemon basil should only be planted in the garden after all danger of frost has passed - late May to early June.

When nighttime temperatures reach 13C around June, you can sow directly in the soil, but the greenhouse method is more effective. Avoid overwatering basil, but keep it moist, and don't water the foliage. If you water in the evening, you will harm the foliage. After two weeks of transplanting, pinch out growing tips to encourage bushy basil plants. 

Note: This Overview is intended as a guide only since cultural practices and climatic conditions may vary.

Specifications:

• Product Type: Lemon Basil Seeds
• USDA Zone: 9-11
• Feature: Fast Growing
• Soil: Fertile, Moist
• Harvest Season: Late June
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Clade: Tracheophytes, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Asterids
• Order: Lamiales
• Family: Lamiaceae
• Genus: Ocimum
• Species: O. africanum
• Use: Beneficial Herb
• Subspecies: D. c. subsp. sativus

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