Lime

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Lime to a garden.

Aromatic as fresh lime zest, this basil variety brings a bright, citrus-lifted fragrance that rises from every leaf.

Tender, medium-green foliage forms an upright, bushy habit with a smooth, velvety texture and a clean, sweet-herb flavor that shines in fresh garnishes and fragrant sauces. Grow it for a steady harvest of flavorful leaves from early summer through the season’s warmest stretches.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

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Lime 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 20th	Sep 18th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 13th	Jul 13th	Sep 11th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	Jul 3rd	Sep 1st – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	Jul 3rd	Sep 1st – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	Jul 7th	Sep 5th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	Jul 3rd	Sep 1st – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	Jul 1st	Aug 30th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	Jun 26th	Aug 25th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	Jun 22nd	Aug 21st – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	Jun 19th	Aug 18th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Jun 13th	Aug 12th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Jun 8th	Aug 7th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	May 29th	Jul 28th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	May 20th	Jul 19th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	May 11th	Jul 10th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	Apr 24th	Jun 23rd – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Mar 30th	May 29th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
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 lime-scented basil is all about the nose—sweet-herb flavor with a citrus zest lift that blooms in fresh applications. Use it late or raw so its fragrance doesn’t fade into the heat, and pair it with fats (olive oil, dairy) and sharp acid (lime) to make the aromatics pop.

Best Uses

tear-and-sniff fresh garnishes for tacos, grilled chicken, and salads
blend into pesto that stays bright instead of getting harsh
stir into yogurt or labneh with lime juice and salt for an herbaceous dip
finish hot soups, noodles, and stir-fries at the last minute to keep the citrus fragrance

Flavor Profile

citrus-lifted aroma like lime zest sweet, clean basil flavor velvety tender leaves with a gentle, cooling finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic olive oil yogurt fish sauce chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common disease problem for Ocimum basilicum (lime basil), and how can I prevent it?

A frequent issue is downy mildew, which shows as pale yellow patches on the upper leaves with gray-purple growth on the underside. Improve air circulation (space plants, avoid crowding) and water at the soil line early in the day to keep foliage dry. If you see it, remove affected leaves and discard them, then avoid harvesting wet foliage for a few days to slow spread.

How often should I water Ocimum basilicum during its main growth phase?

Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for the top 1 inch to dry slightly between waterings. In warm, full-sun conditions, this is often about 1–2 waterings per week, but adjust so water penetrates the root zone rather than just wetting the surface. Mulch lightly to reduce evaporation, especially if leaves start to wilt during the hottest part of the day.

How do I tell when Ocimum basilicum is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants reach about 8–12 inches tall and have several sets of true leaves (usually around 60 days). Pinch or cut above a leaf pair to encourage branching, and start with light harvesting early, then take fuller harvests once the plant is well-leafed. If flowering starts, harvest promptly and prune back to maintain leaf quality and tenderness.