Botanical profile

Lemon basil

Latin name
Lemon basil
Common name
Lemon basil
Type
Annual
Family
Lamiaceae

Lemon basil is an annual herb prized for its fresh, vibrant, and citrusy fragrance, which sets it apart from traditional basils. Its tender, aromatic, and delicate light green foliage adds a bright touch to herb pots, planters, urban vegetable gardens, and edible flowerbeds. It is perfect for gardeners looking for a plant that is both decorative, fragrant, and useful in the kitchen.

Easy to grow, lemon basil prefers a warm, sunny location protected from wind, in fertile, light, well-drained soil. It grows very well in containers on a patio, balcony, or near the kitchen, where its leaves can be harvested fresh as needed. Regular watering, without overwatering, helps maintain tender and flavorful foliage. To prolong the harvest and keep a bushy plant, it is recommended to pinch the ends of the stems and remove flowers as soon as they appear.

Highly versatile in the kitchen, lemon basil is ideal for flavoring fish, salads, vinaigrettes, marinades, fresh sauces, Asian dishes, fruit desserts, infusions, and summer drinks. Its lemony flavor adds freshness without acidity, making it an excellent herb for light and fragrant recipes. It is an original, productive basil that is easy to integrate into any gourmet, aromatic, and sunny garden.

Care guide

Care level
Easy

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Aromatic foliage with a fresh and intense citrus scent
Vegetable garden, herbs, balcony, container, herbal tea, fresh cooking
Container growing
Excellent in containers with good drainage
Seasonal care
Pinch regularly to promote a dense habit; remove some of the flowers to prolong leaf production
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Not hardy
Exposure
Full sun
Watering
Regular; keep the soil slightly moist without waterlogging it
Humidity
Average humidity; prefers warm, well-drained soil
Fertilization
Light and regular fertilization in pots; avoid excess nitrogen
Soil type
Fertile, light, warm, and well-drained soil
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral
Minimum temperature
10°C
Propagation method
Sowing or cuttings
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Summer to Fall Harvest and Bloom
Flower color
White to pale purple
Foliage color
Light green
Foliage type
Persistent in hot climates
Shape
Bushy upright habit
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 inches)
Width
25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 inches)
Growth rate
Rapid growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, marigolds
Spacing
25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 inches)
Harvest period
Leaves from spring to autumn
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

Repellent
Helps repel certain pests

Repellent

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.