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Lemon Basil

Scientific name Ocimum basilicum

About this variety

Lemon Basil seeds belong in a garden plan built around timing, soil, and the way the harvest will actually be used. Lemon Basil is best suited to tea, salads, fish dishes, and fragrant container gardens. Its defining kitchen character is bright citrus layered over basil.In our seed room, we do not treat a packet as a decoration or...

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Alliance of Native Seedkeepers  |  SKU: HB1
$150 USD $200
25% OFF
Heirloom seed packet sale

$1.50, regularly $2.00. The sale price is already applied and carries into checkout. No code is needed. Coupon codes do not combine with this offer.

Pickup available at Bertie County Seeds

Usually ready in 2-4 days

At a glance

The facts most gardeners need first

View the full variety record
500 minimum seeds per packet
  • Germination5–10 Days days · 70–85 °F
  • Maturity50-59 Days · First usable harvest varies by crop and season; see packet and field notes
  • SunFull sun
  • Support & spacingNo-Support · space 18 in · rows 18 in
  • Growth habitMounding · Annual · 13–18 in tall
  • Best usetea, salads, fish dishes, and fragrant container gardens
Secure checkout Details
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Triple-tested seed qualityRegular quality and germination checks support every packet.

We regularly test seed quality and germination as lots move through storage and packing. We stand behind the seed we send and want customers to contact us when a packet does not perform as reasonably expected.

1-year seed warrantyCoverage begins on the date of purchase.

When properly stored, planted, and cared for, we guarantee reasonable germination and true-to-type growth for one year from the date of purchase. Conditions outside our control—including extreme weather, pests, unsuitable storage, and gardener error—are excluded. Contact us when something is not right so we can review the situation and work toward a replacement, refund, or another fair resolution.

Non-GMO / BE seed policyWe do not buy or sell genetically engineered or bioengineered seed.

Every seed variety we sell is non-GMO.

USDA’s National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard defines bioengineered foods as containing detectable genetic material modified through in vitro recombinant DNA methods in ways not achievable through conventional breeding or found in nature.

  • Hybrid means parent lines were conventionally crossed; hybrid does not mean GMO.
  • Heirloom and open-pollinated describe how a variety is maintained and reproduced.
  • Organic certification is separate and is shown only when verified for the individual product.

Read how we define heirloom, hybrid, and GMO/BE seed · USDA BE Standard

Packed in Colerain, North CarolinaPrepared in our seed room for gardens across the country.

Seeds are packed and shipped from Colerain, North Carolina. Our packets use forestry-certified paper, and we use recyclable paper mailers where appropriate. AONSK is also a 1% for the Planet partner while continuing to reduce waste in packing and fulfillment.

Seed-starting profileDifficulty, preparation, reliability, and timing Open

Seed success profile

Gardener experience Beginner to Intermediate
Germination difficulty Easy
Preparation before sowing
No special treatment; warmth and fresh seed matter most
Germination speed
5–10 Days
Growing complexity
Easy
Patience and timing
Varies by crop, cultivar, and season
Is this seed a good match for your experience?
Expected germination
5–10 Days
Germination temperature
70–85 °F
Stratification
None
Scarification
None
Pre-soaking
None
Light during germination
Cover lightly; bright light immediately after emergence
Germination pattern
Reliable in warm soil
Transplant sensitivity
Transplants well while young
Starting method
Cataloged for indoor starting or transplanting; follow the hardening-off guidance.
Best chance of success
No special treatment; warmth and fresh seed matter most
Planning window

Plan around 5–10 Daysat70–85 °F. Keep moisture, light, and preparation aligned with the sowing instructions below.

Slow germination is not automatically failed germination.

Maintain the listed temperature, moisture, light, and treatment conditions for the full expected window. Some seed lots emerge gradually rather than all at once.

1 Beginner-friendly 2 One extra step 3 Some experience helpful 4 Patient growers 5 Advanced propagation

Seed age, storage, sowing depth, moisture, temperature, light, local conditions, and aftercare can affect results. Last reviewed July 2026.

Browse AONSK seed-starting and garden guides

Garden tools

Need a plan for your space?

Open the garden-fit planner or soil calculator only when you need them.

Open garden tools Uses this product’s recorded growing information. Local weather and garden conditions may vary.

About this variety

What to expect from Lemon Basil

Lemon Basil is grown for tea, salads, fish dishes, and fragrant container gardens, with bright citrus layered over basil.

Read the complete product descriptionTraits, flavor, garden use, variety notes, and the full catalog record

Lemon Basil seeds belong in a garden plan built around timing, soil, and the way the harvest will actually be used. Lemon Basil is best suited to tea, salads, fish dishes, and fragrant container gardens. Its defining kitchen character is bright citrus layered over basil.

In our seed room, we do not treat a packet as a decoration or a promise detached from conditions. We look at the lot, the germination window, the crop family, the plant habit, and the point at which the harvest is at its best. For Lemon Basil, that means sowing 1/4 inch deep, maintaining even moisture without waterlogging, and giving plants enough room to express the form named on the packet.

Lemon basil is a citrus-scented basil type associated with Asian and African culinary traditions. Modern commercial lots may represent several closely related selections, so botanical identity and aroma matter more than a romanticized origin story.

Start with fresh seed, write down the sowing date, and judge the crop across the whole planting rather than one exceptional plant. A reliable variety is not one that survives neglect by accident. It is one that answers good care with a useful harvest, then gives the seedkeeper enough honest information to decide whether it deserves another season.

Minimum Seed Count: 500 seeds

Additional variety overview

Lemon Basil seeds belong in a garden plan built around timing, soil, and the way the harvest will actually be used. Lemon Basil is best suited to tea, salads, fish dishes, and fragrant container gardens. Its defining kitchen character is bright citrus layered over basil. In our seed room, we do not treat a packet as a decoration or a promise detached from conditions. We look at the lot, the germination window, the crop family, the plant habit, and the point at which the harvest is at its best. For Lemon Basil, that means sowing 1/4 inch deep, maintaining even moisture without waterlogging, and giving plants enough room to express the form named on the packet. Lemon basil is a citrus-scented basil type associated with Asian and African culinary traditions. Modern commercial lots may represent several closely related selections, so botanical identity and aroma matter more than a romanticized origin story. Start with fresh seed, write down the sowing date, and judge the crop across the whole planting rather than one exceptional plant. A reliable variety is not one that survives neglect by accident. It is one that answers good care with a useful harvest, then gives the seedkeeper enough honest information to decide whether it deserves another season.
View all growing and care factsBotanical identity, timing, climate, soil, spacing, mature size, and crop-specific details

Plant identity

Minimum seed count 500 seeds
Seed product profile Culinary herb
Scientific name Ocimum basilicum
Also known as Basil, Basil Seeds - Lemon Basil
Life cycle Annual
Botanical family Lamiaceae
Reproductive type Open-Pollinated (OP)
Heritage qualifiers Heirloom
Native to the United States Domesticated Plant
Domestication note Africa – East / Southern Africa

Seed success and gardener experience

Gardener experience Beginner to IntermediateLevel 1 of 5
Germination difficulty EasyLevel 1 of 5
Preparation before sowing No special treatment; warmth and fresh seed matter most
Stratification None
Scarification None
Pre-soaking None
Light during germination Cover lightly; bright light immediately after emergence
Germination pattern Reliable in warm soil
Growing complexity Easy
Transplant sensitivity Transplants well while young
First harvest or bloom Varies by crop, cultivar, and season
Best chance of success No special treatment; warmth and fresh seed matter most

Timing and climate

Days to maturity 50-59 Days
Germination 5–10 Days
Germination temperature 70–85 °F
Planting season Late Spring
Bloom season Summer
Frost tolerance Tender
Sunlight Full sun
Water needs Moderate

Site, soil, and space

Soil type Loamy
Preferred soil pH 6.5–7.0
Seed depth 1/4 in
Plant spacing 18 in
Row spacing 18 in
Mature height 13–18 in
Growth habit Mounding
Support needed No-Support
Suitable growing locations In-ground bed, Raised bed, Containers, Greenhouse, High Tunnel, Indoor growing, Hydroponic, Community garden

Crop-specific details

Flavor profile bright citrus layered over basil
Garden toolsOpen the garden-fit planner, planting-window questions, or soil calculator only when useful

Uses this product’s recorded growing information. Local weather, soil, and garden conditions may vary.

Garden-fit planning for this variety

Will Lemon Basil fit your garden?

Check container space, harvest use, life cycle, light, moisture, and sowing method.

Questions for this culinary herb seed
Seed-starting fit and patience
Recorded product profileBeginner to IntermediateEasyRead why
Soil test, pH, drainage, and amendment calculator Have a laboratory soil report? Enter pH, nutrients, texture, bed size, and site observations here. Open soil tools
Recorded soil typeLoamy
Recorded pH range6.5–7.0
Water needsModerate
LightFull sun

Use a current laboratory soil test

Soil-test interpreter

Compare your report with this product's listed pH target: 6.5–7.0.

This tool interprets values you enter; it does not replace laboratory or Cooperative Extension amendment rates. Soil test methods and nutrient recommendations vary by region.

Full growing record

Open only the section you need

How to start Lemon Basil from seedPreparation, timing, depth, germination, transplanting, spacing, and early care

Recorded germination plan

Expected germination
5–10 Days
Germination temperature
70–85 °F

Complete sowing and planting guidance

Sow 1/4 inch deep during after frost when soil and nights are warm. Space plants 8-12 inches apart with 18-24 inches between rows. Germination commonly begins in 5-14 days near 70-85°F. Provide full sun and even moisture without waterlogging.
How to grow this specific varietyLight, water, fertility, support, spacing, airflow, crop behavior, and season-long care

Variety-specific growing notes

Use a fine, well-drained seed-starting mix or a carefully prepared garden bed. No special treatment; warmth and fresh seed matter most. Sow 1/4 inch deep and follow this light rule: Cover lightly; bright light immediately after emergence. Keep the seed zone moist but never airless. After emergence, provide bright light and circulation so stems remain sturdy. Thin or transplant to 8-12 inches, leaving 18-24 inches between rows. The plant habit is bushy aromatic annual, generally reaching 12-30 inches. Water according to the root zone rather than the surface appearance. Harvest regularly where leaf production is the goal, but reserve clearly labeled plants when you intend to save seed.

Complete growing guide

Use a fine, well-drained seed-starting mix or a carefully prepared garden bed. No special treatment; warmth and fresh seed matter most. Sow 1/4 inch deep and follow this light rule: Cover lightly; bright light immediately after emergence. Keep the seed zone moist but never airless. After emergence, provide bright light and circulation so stems remain sturdy. Thin or transplant to 8-12 inches, leaving 18-24 inches between rows. The plant habit is bushy aromatic annual, generally reaching 12-30 inches. Water according to the root zone rather than the surface appearance. Harvest regularly where leaf production is the goal, but reserve clearly labeled plants when you intend to save seed.

Practical field and garden tips

Keep a written record of sowing date, soil temperature, first emergence, thinning, first harvest, flowering, and seed maturity. Herbs are often judged only by aroma, but plant architecture, bolt timing, winter survival, disease tolerance, and labor at harvest decide whether a variety belongs in a working garden. Do not fertilize aromatic herbs into soft, watery growth. Feed the soil according to a test and let the plant keep its character.
Harvest, storage, uses, and benefitsWhen and how to harvest, ways to use the crop, storage, culinary value, habitat value, and garden roles

Harvest and use notes

Harvest for tea, salads, fish dishes, and fragrant container gardens. Use the crop at its intended stage, and reserve only healthy true-to-type plants for seed. Basil is insect-pollinated and varieties can cross. Isolate flowering varieties or separate bloom time, save from many healthy true-to-type plants, and harvest seed heads when dry and brown.

Uses and benefits

Best for tea, salads, fish dishes, and fragrant container gardens. Flavor and aroma: bright citrus layered over basil. Flowers may support pollinators when the crop is allowed to bloom; harvest use depends on the species and cultivar.
Seed saving and carrying the variety forwardPollination, isolation, selection, harvest, cleaning, drying, and storage
Basil is insect-pollinated and varieties can cross. Isolate flowering varieties or separate bloom time, save from many healthy true-to-type plants, and harvest seed heads when dry and brown.
Problems and answersPests, diseases, troubleshooting, practical response, and product-specific questions

Variety troubleshooting summary

Q: When should I sow Lemon Basil?
A: After frost when soil and nights are warm. Match the crop to soil temperature and night temperature rather than relying only on a calendar date.

Q: How long does germination take?
A: Usually 5-14 days near 70-85°F, though seed age, moisture, depth, and species matter.

Q: Can it grow in a container?
A: Yes when the container has drainage and enough soil volume. Compact basil, parsley, chives, chamomile, thyme, and many onions are especially useful in containers; tall dill, fennel, and leeks need more depth and space.

Q: Can I save seed?
A: Yes. Basil is insect-pollinated and varieties can cross. Isolate flowering varieties or separate bloom time, save from many healthy true-to-type plants, and harvest seed heads when dry and brown.

Q: Is this page medical advice?
A: No. Traditional or herbal uses are presented as cultural and garden context. Use qualified medical guidance for health decisions.

Complete pest and problem guide

The most common failures are cultural: buried tiny seed, stale seed, waterlogged mix, weak light, crowded seedlings, root disturbance in taprooted herbs, or a climate mismatch. Aphids, spider mites, caterpillars, leaf spots, damping-off, and root rots may occur. Identify the organism or condition before treating. Improve airflow, irrigate the soil instead of the foliage, sanitize containers, and avoid keeping woody Mediterranean herbs continuously wet.

Questions gardeners ask

Q: When should I sow Lemon Basil?
A: After frost when soil and nights are warm. Match the crop to soil temperature and night temperature rather than relying only on a calendar date.

Q: How long does germination take?
A: Usually 5-14 days near 70-85°F, though seed age, moisture, depth, and species matter.

Q: Can it grow in a container?
A: Yes when the container has drainage and enough soil volume. Compact basil, parsley, chives, chamomile, thyme, and many onions are especially useful in containers; tall dill, fennel, and leeks need more depth and space.

Q: Can I save seed?
A: Yes. Basil is insect-pollinated and varieties can cross. Isolate flowering varieties or separate bloom time, save from many healthy true-to-type plants, and harvest seed heads when dry and brown.

Q: Is this page medical advice?
A: No. Traditional or herbal uses are presented as cultural and garden context. Use qualified medical guidance for health decisions.
History, provenance, and cultural contextWhat is documented, what is reported, what remains uncertain, and how the variety reached gardeners

Scientific name: Ocimum basilicum

Provenance summary

Lemon basil is a citrus-scented basil type associated with Asian and African culinary traditions. Modern commercial lots may represent several closely related selections, so botanical identity and aroma matter more than a romanticized origin story.

Plant and variety history

Lemon basil is a citrus-scented basil type associated with Asian and African culinary traditions. Modern commercial lots may represent several closely related selections, so botanical identity and aroma matter more than a romanticized origin story.

Source and record notes

https://extension.umn.edu/gardening-minnesota/growing-herbs
https://extension.psu.edu/growing-herbs-in-the-garden
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook/16-vegetable-gardening

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Customer experience

Reviews for Lemon Basil

Customer Reviews

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R
Rachel

Their intergrity and care show through their products and seeds. They care about the people and are for the people. Not only is their shipping fast, the seeds germination are fast too. Quality heirloom seeds with a top notch company ♥️

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