Lemon Sweet Clove

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Zingy lemon brightness leads the aroma—lifted by a sweet clove-like warmth that blooms as the leaves are brushed.

Lemon Sweet Clove forms lush, tender foliage with a velvety, finely textured leaf surface and an upright, easy-to-harvest habit at about 45 days. Grow it for bold, fragrant flavor in fresh garnishes, aromatic sauces, and fragrant infusions—its citrusy lift makes every spoonful and simmer feel vividly alive.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Lemon Sweet Clove

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Aug 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This lemon basil reads like bright citrus with a sweet, clove-like ember—use it late so the perfume doesn’t go dull. The velvety leaf texture also behaves well chopped, giving a fragrant slick when emulsified in oil-based sauces.

Best Uses

torn-leaf garnish on grilled fish or roast chicken where the citrus perfume stays vivid
quick-stir herb pesto where it keeps a clean, lemony lift (don’t overcook)
aromatic infusion in simple syrups or lemony spritzers
stirred-into pan sauce at the end for a fragrant, spoonable sheen

Flavor Profile

zingy lemon brightness sweet clove-warm aroma velvety, finely textured leaves uplifting herbal finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon zest garlic olive oil white fish chicken honey

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common pest or disease on Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil) like “lemon sweet clove,” and how should I treat it?

A very common issue is downy mildew, which shows as yellow patches on upper leaves with a gray-purple fuzzy growth on the underside. Remove and discard infected leaves, improve airflow by thinning plants, and water only at the soil line (not onto foliage). If it keeps spreading, use a labeled downy-mildew fungicide for basil and repeat according to the label’s schedule.

How often should I water Ocimum basilicum during the main growing phase (around the 3–6 week period as it fills out)?

Keep the soil consistently evenly moist but not soggy—aim for watering when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. In full sun, this often means watering about once every 2–3 days, but adjust based on pot size and heat. Mulch lightly around plants to reduce moisture swings, and always ensure the pot/bed drains well to prevent root stress.

How can I tell when “lemon sweet clove” sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is ready to harvest?

Start harvesting around 45 days when plants are well branched and have multiple healthy sets of leaves. Harvest by cutting just above a leaf pair or branching point so new shoots form; take no more than about one-third of the plant at a time. For the best flavor, pick leaves in the morning before the heat of the day.