Description
(Ocimum basilicum ‘Lemon’)
Lemon Basil has stems that can grow to 20-40 cm tall. It has white flowers in late summer to early fall. The leaves are similar to basil leaves, but tend to be narrower. Seeds form on the plant after flowering and dry on the plant.
Growing Tips
Choose a sunny site with well-drained soil, amend with well-rotted manure or compost.
Use
In Thailand, Lemon Basil is called maeng lak and it is one of several types of basil used in Thai cuisine. The leaves feature in certain curries and it is also indispensable for the noodle dish Khanom chin nam ya. The seeds resemble frog’s eggs after they have been soaked in water and are used in sweet desserts. You can also use the strongly scented leaves in soups, salads, chilli sauces and fish dishes.
Herb Attributes
| Harvest | Regularly, the more you harvest the more it will produce. If kept warm and harvested often you may even get 10 months worth of Basil leaves. |
|---|---|
| Position | Part to Full Sun |
| Height | 50cm |
| Width | 40cm |
| Lifespan | Annual |
