1/10

Lemon Basil

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Ocimum x citriodorum

Genus

Ocimum

Family

Lamiaceae

Order

Lamiales

How to care for Lemon Basil

💦 Water

How often to water your Lemon Basil

Lemon Basil needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Lemon Basil in your home

Lemon Basil love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Lemon Basil does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Lemon Basil in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Lemon Basil

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Lemon Basil: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Lemon Basil after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Ocimum

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Lemon Basil prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Lemon Basil Water Frequency →

Lemon Basil Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Lemon Basil requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Lemon Basil Light Requirements →

Lemon Basil Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Lemon Basil is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

💨 Humidity

Lemon Basil doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.

Lemon Basil Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Lemon Basil does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Lemon Basil →

Best Pots for Lemon Basil →

When and How to Successfully Repot Lemon Basil →

What Are Healthy Lemon Basil Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Lemon Basil is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

How Much and When to Fertilize Lemon Basil →

🌎 Native Region

Lemon Basil is native to Worldwide.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Lemon Basil can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Lemon Basil Temperature Tolerance →

Lemon Basil Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Lemon Basil →

When to Plant Lemon Basil →

How to Plant Lemon Basil →

Where to Plant Lemon Basil →

Winter Care for Lemon Basil →

Best Companion Plants for Lemon Basil →

Is Lemon Basil a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Lemon Basil, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.