Description

Basil ‘Lemon’ is also known as ‘Hoary Basil’ or ‘Thai Lemon Basil’. It is an aromatic annual herb to 50cm tall. The small, light-green leaves have a strong lemon fragrance and taste. This variety is used in many Asian cuisines. The dried leaves can be used in potpourri. The white-pink flowers attract pollinating insects. If the plant goes to flower before desired, simply remove the flower spikes, or cut it down for a second flush of leaves. This variety can be grown in containers.
Also listed in some references as Ocimum × africanum (a hybrid of O. basilicum × O. americanum). Lemon basil may cross-pollinate with varieties of Ocimum basilicum. If collecting seed, please check the Latin names of basil and allow only one variety to be in flower at any one time.