{"product_id":"lemon-basil-6-pot","title":"Lemon Basil - 6\" Pot","description":"\u003cp\u003eLemon 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWell 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLamiaceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eNative region\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHybrid of African and Asian basils (Ocimum basilicum x Ocimum americanum)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature height\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30-50 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature spread\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25-35 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFoliage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNarrow, light-green, lemon-scented leaves\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower colour\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhite\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower season\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSummer to early autumn\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eClimate zone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical and subtropical; frost-sensitive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSunlight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun, at least 6 hours of direct light daily; tolerates light afternoon shade in very hot regions.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWatering\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKeep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged; water when the top 2-3 cm feels dry, more often in summer and in pots.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSoil \/ mix\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLight, well-drained loam rich in organic matter; slightly acidic to neutral pH 6.0-7.5.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrows best at 20-35 C; growth stalls below 12 C and the plant is killed by frost.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eHumidity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate humidity preferred; ensure good airflow to avoid fungal leaf spots.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFertilizer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFeed lightly every 3-4 weeks with a balanced or nitrogen-rich organic feed such as diluted vermicompost tea.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePruning\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePinch growing tips regularly and remove flower spikes early to keep the plant bushy and leaves tender.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eRepotting\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUsually grown as a single-season annual; if potted, a 20-25 cm container with fresh mix is enough for its life cycle.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePropagation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrom seed sown in warm weather, or from soft stem cuttings rooted in water or moist soil.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePests \u0026amp; problems\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWatch for aphids, whiteflies and spider mites; fusarium wilt and fungal leaf spot in damp, crowded conditions.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eToxicity \/ safety\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNon-toxic to humans and a common culinary herb; generally considered safe and non-toxic around pets.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eUses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;ul\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Fresh leaves flavour salads, soups, seafood, stir-fries and Southeast Asian dishes with a citrus-basil note.\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Used to brew refreshing herbal and iced teas and to infuse cold drinks and lemonades.\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Grown on balconies and patios as a fragrant plant that helps deter mosquitoes and flies.\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Leaves can be dried or made into pesto, vinegars and flavoured oils.\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;\/ul\u0026gt;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;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.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;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.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow is lemon basil different from regular sweet basil and tulsi?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eLemon basil has narrower, lighter leaves and a strong lemon-citrus fragrance, unlike the clove-like sweet basil. It is a culinary basil and is different from holy basil (tulsi), which is grown mainly for religious and medicinal use.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow much sunlight and water does lemon basil need in India?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eGive it at least 6 hours of direct sun daily and keep the soil evenly moist, watering when the top 2-3 cm dries out. In summer and in pots it may need watering once or twice a day, but never let it stay waterlogged.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow do I keep my lemon basil bushy and stop it from flowering too soon?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePinch the growing tips every couple of weeks and remove flower spikes as soon as they appear. Regular harvesting keeps the plant compact, encourages new leaves and keeps the foliage tender and flavourful.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"vedicflora","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51256204755190,"sku":"PLT-LEMONBASIL-P06-NA","price":99.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/4980\/6326\/files\/pY0MwGiJe6Fr6b4vTNYvJd4m5TEYuctEGC74l78s.png?v=1783922444","url":"https:\/\/vedicflora.com\/products\/lemon-basil-6-pot","provider":"vedicflora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}