Mrs. Burn's Lemon

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Mrs. Burn's Lemon to a garden.

Sunlit and unmistakably fragrant, Mrs.

Burn’s Lemon basil unfurls with bright, lemony perfume that rises from the first touch of its leaves. The foliage forms a compact, upright mound of tender, medium-green leaves with a softly ruffled texture and a vivid, citrus-leaning flavor that shines fresh and stays lively when used to scent and finish dishes. Grow it for its aromatic presence in the garden—then harvest often to keep the plant lush, bushy, and richly perfumed through the season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Mrs. Burn's Lemon

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Mrs. Burn's Lemon 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 13th	Sep 1st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 13th	Jul 6th	Aug 25th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	Jun 26th	Aug 15th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	Jun 26th	Aug 15th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	Jun 30th	Aug 19th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	Jun 26th	Aug 15th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	Jun 24th	Aug 13th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	Jun 19th	Aug 8th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	Jun 15th	Aug 4th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	Jun 12th	Aug 1st – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Jun 6th	Jul 26th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Jun 1st	Jul 21st – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	May 22nd	Jul 11th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	May 13th	Jul 2nd – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	May 4th	Jun 23rd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	Apr 17th	Jun 6th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Mar 23rd	May 12th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
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

Mrs. Burn’s Lemon basil is the kind of basil that smells like you’re already halfway to the dish—citrus-forward and fragrant without the harsh bite. Use it fresh or add at the last second so those lemony volatiles stay bright instead of dulling into plain green heat.

Best Uses

tear-and-stir fresh into warm rice or potatoes just off the heat
finish grilled fish or shellfish with torn leaves and olive oil
make a quick lemony pesto-style sauce (pulse with nuts, cheese, and a splash of acid)
steep into vinaigrettes or marinades for a citrus-tinged herbal lift

Flavor Profile

bright lemon-citrus aroma clean, sweet-basil leafiness tender, softly ruffled bite lively, fragrant finish that doesn’t get bitter fast

Kitchen Pairings

extra-virgin olive oil garlic lemon juice or zest sea salt and cracked black pepper parmesan white fish or shrimp

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases commonly affect Ocimum basilicum (basil) like Mrs. Burn’s Lemon, and what should I do?

Basil is prone to downy mildew and leaf-spot issues, especially with cool, humid nights and wet foliage. Water the soil at the base in the morning, remove any yellowing or spotted leaves, and improve airflow by spacing plants so leaves don’t touch. If you see fuzzy gray/white growth on leaf undersides or spreading spots, discard heavily affected plants to prevent the problem from building up in your bed or container.

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

During active growth (after it’s established and before harvest), keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently evenly moist but not soggy. In full sun, this usually means watering about 2–3 times per week, but only when the surface starts to dry—containers often need more frequent checks than in-ground beds. Avoid letting the soil stay wet for long periods, since basil can develop mildew and root stress when waterlogged.

How can I tell when Mrs. Burn’s Lemon basil is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants reach about 8–10 inches tall and have a healthy set of leaves, typically around 50 days from sowing. Pinch or snip just above a pair of leaves (or above a node) to encourage branching; don’t remove more than about one-third of the plant at a time. If you see the first flower buds forming, begin lighter harvesting because basil quality declines once it starts flowering.