- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
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Variety Info
Family: Laminaceae
Type: Basil (Learn more)
Native: Probably Africa, but in cultivation for so long that it cannot be verified.
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Dimensions: 8"–16" tall, 20" wide. Low, spreading habit.
Variety Info: 1 ½"–2" long, lime green, narrow, elliptical leaves with a strong, lemony scent and flavor. White flowers (if allowed to bloom). Lemon basil, also called Thai lemon basil or Lao basil, is used in traditional Indonesian, Laotian, and Thai cuisine.
Attributes: Good for Containers, Frost Sensitive
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F, ideally 65°–85°F. Successive Sowings: We recommend 3 or 4 successive sowings every 3 weeks after initial sowing.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting outside. Transplant when your nighttime temperatures are above 50°F.
Days to Emerge: 5 – 10 Days
Seed Depth: ¼"
Seed Spacing: A group of 2 seeds every 12"
Row Spacing: 12"
Thinning: When 2" tall, thin to 1 every 12"
Your hardiness zone is
Growing Info
Harvesting: Basil flavor is best before the plant flowers. Harvest up to 1/3 of the plant at a time, leaving enough for the plant to be healthy and keep producing. Harvest prior to a frost; basil is very frost sensitive.
- Valerie O.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars12/10/245 Stars
I love BI seeds. I get really great germination and the packaging is lovely.
- Cynthia W.Verified BuyerRated 4 out of 5 stars6/11/244 Stars
I planted my seeds in my hydroponic grow machine and they sprouted with a week and a couple or three weeks later, I was able to snip a few leaves! Everything that grows in the hydroponic grower grows really well. My cilantro seeds, however, did not germinate in it. I have successfully grown thyme, parsley, dill, lettuce, and of course, my lemon basil in it. To preserve the lemon basil I cut, I put the stems in a tiny glass of water, and in about a week, it had grown long, silky, white roots, so I planted each stem in Epsom Organic Potting Soil and set them outside in a predominately shady spot and they are doing well. Growing up so that I need to snip some more off the top. I have them in only a hour or so of full sun a day, because they're on a concrete patio on 100+ degrees all day! I water them through every other day. Hoping to keep them alive through the summer, but I don't expect them to flourish. They really do smell and taste lemony, by the way.
Which best describes you as a gardener? BeginnerBIBotanical Interests6/13/24Hey Cynthia, Thanks for leaving your feedback. cilantro is a cool-weather-loving plant; it might have been too warm in the hydroponic system for the plant. But if it didn't germinate at all, I'd assume the conditions were just too wet for cilantro to thrive there. It's great that you're experimenting with different growing mediums. That's the fun of gardening. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Monique M.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars5/29/245 Stars
Lemon basil seeds sprouted in less than a week to my surprise! Love the herby aroma, and excited to see them fully mature.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Beginner - Melody O.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars5/22/245 Stars
I can only say good things about my experience with Botanical Interests! Good prices, lovely packaging.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Beginner - samantha o.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars4/23/245 Stars
all germinated and very excited to watch them grow!