Lime Thai

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Lime Thai basil opens with a bright, zesty lift—cool lime-green fragrance that feels almost citrus-sparkling, followed by classic Thai basil warmth.

The leaves are tender and glossy, with a softly serrated edge and a lively, aromatic texture that holds beautifully in fresh bouquets and quick stir-tosses, while also standing up to gentle heat for fragrant sauces and pickles. Grow Lime Thai for a garden that smells like sunlit citrus and for harvests that stay vivid, fragrant, and unmistakably Thai in character.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 65 DaysHabit: Upright

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Lime Thai 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	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	May 4th	Jul 13th	Sep 16th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 24th	Jul 3rd	Sep 6th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 24th	Jul 3rd	Sep 6th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 28th	Jul 7th	Sep 10th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 24th	Jul 3rd	Sep 6th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 22nd	Jul 1st	Sep 4th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 17th	Jun 26th	Aug 30th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 13th	Jun 22nd	Aug 26th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 10th	Jun 19th	Aug 23rd – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Apr 4th	Jun 13th	Aug 17th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 30th	Jun 8th	Aug 12th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 20th	May 29th	Aug 2nd – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 11th	May 20th	Jul 24th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Mar 2nd	May 11th	Jul 15th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 13th	Apr 24th	Jun 28th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 19th	Mar 30th	Jun 3rd – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	65
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

Lime Thai basil tastes like aromatics were zested and then gently warmed—bright, cool, and unmistakably Thai. Finish sauces off the heat and it stays vivid; hit it too long and you’ll flatten that lime-citrus snap.

Best Uses

quick stir-tosses where you want the herb to stay green and fragrant
Thai-style curries and coconut sauces finished off the heat
fresh herb salads and cucumber bowls with a bright dressing
lime-citrus pickles and quick vinegars for punchy herbal lift

Flavor Profile

limey, citrus-sparkling aromatics cool anise-clove warmth tender glossy leaves with a lively, aromatic bite stands up to light heat without going dull

Kitchen Pairings

coconut milk lime juice garlic fish sauce chili (fresh or paste) ginger

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Ocimum basilicum (Thai basil) and how can I control it?

Thai basil (Ocimum basilicum) is commonly hit by downy mildew and aphids, especially when foliage stays wet. Water at the soil line and improve airflow by spacing plants; remove and discard any badly spotted leaves early. For mildew, stop overhead watering and treat with a labeled fungicide suitable for basil; for aphids, rinse off with a strong jet of water and, if needed, use insecticidal soap on the undersides of leaves.

How often should I water Thai basil during the main growing phase to keep it thriving?

During active growth, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently lightly moist, not soggy—typically watering about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and container size. Aim for deep watering so moisture reaches the root zone, then let the top layer begin to dry slightly before watering again. Avoid letting leaves remain wet, as damp foliage increases mildew risk.

How do I know when Ocimum basilicum (Thai basil, “Lime Thai”) is ready to harvest?

Start harvesting around 50–65 days from sowing when plants are well branched and reach roughly 6–12 inches tall, and before they set heavy flower. Pick when leaves are fully sized and fragrant; pinch or snip just above a pair of leaves to encourage new side shoots. If the plant begins flowering, leaf flavor and tenderness decline, so harvest frequently during that transition.