Lemon Basil, Ocimum citriodorum Plant

Description

Grow this plant and fill up your garden with a refreshing lemon scent that adds a wonderful dimension of fragrance to your space. This plant is basically a hybrid between lemon basil and Africa basil. This bushy plant produces bright green colored leaves with jagged edges and attractive white flower spikes in late summer. The leaves along with the flowers and stems are edible.

Lemon Basil is one of the most popular house plants in India. The leaves hold an intense lemon taste and fragrance and are excellent for adding a citrus flavor to fish dishes, vinegar, and salads.

This plant is a genus in the family Lamiaceae and has a variety of 60 species, each famous for their medicinal properties. These plants reach a maximum height of 10 inches and don’t require much maintenance and care to thrive.

Lemon Basil Special Features

• This plant helps to improve the quality of surrounding air.
• Lemon Basil also makes a good container or bedding plant.
• This plant attracts butterflies and bees and is a great companion for repelling aphids and mites.
• It is a low maintenance plant.

Lemon Basil Uses

Culinary Uses 

• The herb adds amazing flavors to soups, fish, and meat dishes. 
• The seeds are used in making refreshing drinks.

Medicinal Uses

• The plant has mild sedative properties.
• Helps to treat intestinal parasites and bacterial infection
• Helps in cold and flu and lower fever and migraine.
• Assists nausea, abdominal cramps, poor digestion, gastroenteritis, and spasms.
• Treats anxiety, low spirits, and insomnia.
• Treats acne, insect stings, and skin infections.

Planting and Care

• Lemon Basil needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight to thrive and bloom to its full potential.
• Water the plants weekly and make sure to keep the water off the leaves.
• Water the plant from the base and don’t overwater.
• Water stagnation must be avoided in all cases.
• If the tree is bigger, make sure to dig a larger hole.
• Make sure the roots of the plant are damp but not too wet.
• Prepare the soil with Nitrogen fertilizers before planting the seeds.
• Water the soil immediately after using the fertilizer.
• Knock off the old soil from the plant root by removing all rotted and dead roots.
• While repotting, it’s preferable to do it during the evening and keep the plant in a shady area for a min 2-3 days before moving it to the ideal location and climate.
• In case of insect or pest attack, use Eucalyptus oil, Neem oil, or Citrus oil spray for the primary treatment.

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