Lemon Basil [Ocimum americanum citriodorum]

The annual lemon basil is a special herb. The narrow leaves have a noble and distinctive lemon aroma, with light notes of camphor, cinnamon and lavender. The flowers are pale purple to white and are a good source of food for bees. Ideal for direct sowing, pot cultivation possible, sowing spring-summer, good for mixed cultivation, harvesting the leaves.

 Description 
Lemon basil is an annual herb from Southeast Asia and Australia. This variety develops narrower leaves than other varieties and does not have bubbles at the top. The leaves are narrow, tapering and the edges are slightly serrated. This species has an extremely fine lemon aroma with light notes of camphor, cinnamon and lavender. The leaves are ideal for sweet dishes and for garnishing desserts. The leaves can also be used as a salad seasoning, for herbal sauces or fine pesto. The numerous flowers are pale purple to white in color and are therefore also a good scented, ornamental plant and bee pasture.

 General information 
Plant family: Lamiaceae
Life cycle: Annual
Days to harvest: 70 days
Plant height approx.: 40 cm
Root type: Heart rooter
Nutrient requirements: Medium
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to 3°C
Location: Sunny until semi shady
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich loamy soil

pH value: 6.5 to 7.5

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 18-24 °C
Germination time: 5-10 days
Plant and row spacing: 25x30 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 9-10 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Fennel, Pumpkin plants, Chard, Tomato, Apricot, Marigold, Lilies, Asparagus
Unfavorable mixed culture: Savory, Lemon balm, Sage, Thyme, Rue, Wormwood, Yarrow

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Direct sowing from March to September is recommended. The ideal location for the plants is warm and sunny to partially shaded.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Direct sowing from May to July is recommended. The ideal location for the plants is warm and sunny.

 General recommendations 
Direct sowing in rows is recommended. After germination, thin out the plants to the specified plant spacing. Pre-cultivation in pots is also advisable.
Lemon basil does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
Cut the shoot tips to encourage branching and the emergence of new shoots. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, it is recommended to also incorporate biochar and primary rock flour.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
To encourage bushy growth, older shoots and shoot tips should be cut off from time to time. No fertilization necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Ocimum americanum citriodorum
English names: Lemon Basil, American basil
German names: Zitronen Basilikum, Amerikanisches Basilikum
Portuguese names: Manjericão limão
Spanish names: Albahaca limón
French names: Basilic citronné

 Origin 
Country: Portugal