Lemon Basil (Ocimum × africanum), also called Hoary Basil or Asian Lemon Basil, is a fragrant annual herb with a refreshing citrus scent and flavor. Popular in Southeast Asian cooking, salads, and herbal teas, Lemon Basil adds a bright, zesty twist to recipes. Compact and easy to grow, it thrives in containers, raised beds, and kitchen gardens, providing continuous fresh harvests through the summer.
Seed Information
-
Type: Herb Seeds
-
Common Name: Lemon Basil, Hoary Basil
-
Genus: Ocimum
-
Species: Ocimum × africanum
-
Life Cycle: Annual
-
Features: Citrus-scented leaves, culinary herb, tea herb, aromatic, pollinator friendly
-
Season of Interest: Summer (leaf harvest, flowering)
-
Indoor/Outdoor: Both (outdoor beds, kitchen gardens, containers)
-
Sunlight: Full sun
-
Cultivating Difficulty: Easy
-
Watering: Moderate, prefers evenly moist soil
-
Climate: Warm climates; Temperate, Mediterranean, Humid Subtropical
-
Growth Habit: Upright, 12–18 in tall
-
Soil Type: Fertile, well-draining soil
-
Soil pH: 6.0–7.0
-
Planting Time: Spring after frost
Grow Instructions
-
When to Plant: Direct sow outdoors after last frost or start indoors 4–6 weeks early
-
Soil: Fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost
-
Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hrs daily)
-
Watering: Keep soil consistently moist
-
Spacing: 8–10 inches apart
-
Germination: 7–14 days at 65–75°F (18–24°C)
-
Harvest: Leaves ready in 40–50 days; pinch tops to encourage bushy growth
-
Tips: Pinch flower buds to prolong harvest; excellent for teas, salads, and soups