Lemon Basil - 6" Pot

Lemon basil (Ocimum citriodorum) is an aromatic annual herb in the mint family, prized for its leaves that carry a distinct lemony-citrus fragrance layered over the familiar basil scent. It forms a compact, bushy plant 30-50 cm tall with slender, pale-green leaves and slim spikes of small white flowers in the warm season.

Well suited to India's tropical and subtropical climate, it thrives in full sun and warm temperatures and is easily grown in garden beds, balcony pots, and grow bags. It is widely used in cooking, herbal teas, and as a fragrant, mosquito-deterring patio plant.

Specifications

Care guide

Uses

<ul><li>Fresh leaves flavour salads, soups, seafood, stir-fries and Southeast Asian dishes with a citrus-basil note.</li><li>Used to brew refreshing herbal and iced teas and to infuse cold drinks and lemonades.</li><li>Grown on balconies and patios as a fragrant plant that helps deter mosquitoes and flies.</li><li>Leaves can be dried or made into pesto, vinegars and flavoured oils.</li></ul>

Growing tips

<p>In most of India, sow seeds after the cold spell, from February-March onward, and again through the monsoon and post-monsoon months for a near year-round supply; avoid sowing in peak winter where frost occurs.</p><p>Give it the sunniest spot you have, water more frequently during summer heat and in pots, and pinch off the tips and flower buds often to keep leaves soft and the plant productive. In heavy monsoon, improve drainage and spacing to prevent fungal problems.</p>