Lemon Basil

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Sunlit and unmistakably fragrant, Lemon Basil unfurls with bright, citrusy perfume that rises from every leaf—cool lemon zest woven through classic basil sweetness.

The foliage is tender and velvety, with a lively, medium-green sheen and a softly serrated edge that stays lush through the season. Grow it for its aromatic leaves in fresh, bright applications and for stirring into herb-forward sauces, finishing oils, and quick pickling blends where its lemony lift shines.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Upright

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Lemon Basil Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Apr 20th	Jun 15th	Aug 9th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 13th	Jun 8th	Aug 2nd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	May 29th	Jul 23rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	May 29th	Jul 23rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	Jun 2nd	Jul 27th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	May 29th	Jul 23rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	May 27th	Jul 21st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	May 22nd	Jul 16th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	May 18th	Jul 12th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	May 15th	Jul 9th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	May 9th	Jul 3rd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	May 4th	Jun 28th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	Apr 24th	Jun 18th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	Apr 15th	Jun 9th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	Apr 6th	May 31st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	Mar 20th	May 14th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Feb 23rd	Apr 19th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This is basil for people who want citrus in the room—its leaves go from sweet-herb to lemon-zest the moment you tear them, so keep it as a finisher or fast blend. Use it where aroma matters (off-heat oils, quick pickles, yogurt/cheese), because prolonged heat turns that lemon lift dull.

Best Uses

tear-and-mix into summer salads right before serving
stir into soft cheeses and yogurt for a citrusy herb spread
flash-blend into herb pesto (for a lemony, less-garlicky green sauce)
finish hot dishes with chopped leaves off-heat and let the steam bloom the aroma
quick pickle or salt-draw with lemon basil to make a sharp, fragrant condiment

Flavor Profile

bright lemon-citrus perfume classic basil sweetness tender, velvety leaves that bruise fragrant clean, zesty aromatic finish

Kitchen Pairings

extra-virgin olive oil garlic lemon juice parmesan mozzarella chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Ocimum basilicum (lemon basil), and how can I manage it at home?

Lemon basil commonly gets downy mildew and can show basil blight spots, especially with cool, humid nights and wet leaves. Water basil at the soil line in the morning, space plants for airflow, and remove any spotted leaves promptly; if new spotting keeps appearing, switch to a label-appropriate organic fungicide and repeat as directed. Watch also for aphids and whiteflies under leaves—blast them off with water and use insecticidal soap if populations persist.

How often should I water lemon basil (Ocimum basilicum) during active growth?

During the main growing phase, keep the top 1 inch of soil evenly moist but not soggy—typically watering every 2–3 days in warm weather, then less often as temperatures drop. Ensure good drainage and avoid wetting the foliage because basil is prone to leaf diseases when leaves stay damp. A simple check: if the soil feels dry 1 inch down, water thoroughly until excess drains.

How do I know when lemon basil is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants are about 6–8 inches tall (often around 45–60 days) and have formed multiple sets of true leaves. Take stems by snipping just above a pair of healthy leaves, which encourages bushy regrowth, and begin harvesting before flowering for the best leaf quality. If you see flower buds forming, harvest more frequently or pinch them off to keep leaves tender.