Lime Bob

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Lime Bob basil bursts with a bright, citrus-lime fragrance that seems to lift the air the moment you brush its leaves.

The foliage is tender and finely textured, with vivid chartreuse-green leaves that hold their color beautifully as the plants mature in about 55 days. Grow it for its aromatic punch—ideal for fresh leaf use, fragrant garnishes, and vibrant pesto-style sauces, and it also shines when dried for a sunny, herbaceous pantry.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Bush

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Lime Bob 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	Jul 27th	Sep 20th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 13th	Jul 20th	Sep 13th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 3rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 3rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	Jul 14th	Sep 7th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	Jul 10th	Sep 3rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	Jul 8th	Sep 1st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	Jul 3rd	Aug 27th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	Jun 29th	Aug 23rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	Jun 26th	Aug 20th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Jun 20th	Aug 14th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Jun 15th	Aug 9th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	Jun 5th	Jul 30th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	May 27th	Jul 21st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	May 18th	Jul 12th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	May 1st	Jun 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Apr 6th	May 31st – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
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

Lime Bob basil tastes like someone squeezed lime into the herb—fragrant, lifted, and a little peppery—so treat it gently and use it bright rather than long-cooked. It’s built for high-impact finishing, where its citrus-lime perfume stays vivid against salty fat like Parmesan and olive oil.

Best Uses

torn-leaf garnish for tacos, salads, and grilled seafood
whiz-up pesto-style sauce with olive oil and citrus zest
quick-lime herb drizzle over roasted chicken or white beans
dried herb seasoning for a fragrant, sunny finishing dust

Flavor Profile

bright lime-citrus aromatics tender, finely textured leaves peppery-herb bite at the finish chartreuse-green sweetness in warm preparations

Kitchen Pairings

olive oil garlic lime grilled fish chicken Parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common problem for Ocimum basilicum (lime basil), and how do I treat it?

A frequent issue is downy mildew (often seen as yellow patches on top leaves with gray-purple growth on the underside) during warm, humid weather. Remove and discard infected leaves, water only at the base (not overhead), and space plants for airflow; if it’s spreading quickly, use a labeled garden fungicide according to the product directions. Keep the plant in full sun so foliage dries faster between waterings.

How often should I water Ocimum basilicum during the main growing phase?

During active growth, keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for the top 1 inch to dry slightly between waterings. In most home gardens, this is about every 2–3 days in warm weather, but less often if your soil stays cool or holds moisture. Water thoroughly at the base until excess drains, then don’t let the pot/bed sit in standing water.

How can I tell when lime basil (Ocimum basilicum) is ready to harvest?

Start harvesting when plants are about 6–8 inches tall and have sturdy leaf pairs, typically around 50–55 days from sowing. Harvest by cutting above a leaf pair to encourage branching; for best flavor, pick leaves before the plant flowers. If you see bud formation, begin harvesting more frequently (or plan to remove buds) to maintain tender leaf growth.