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Herbs - Culinary

Ocimum × africanum 'Lime'

lime basil

A short-lived bushy perennial to 50cm high and is often grown as an annual culinary herb. The dark green leaves are aromatic with a citrus scent; spikes of small whitish flowers appear in late summer and early autumn

Synonyms

Ocimum basilicum 'Lime'

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1–2 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Ocimum can be aromatic annuals, evergreen perennials or shrubs with opposite, linear to broadly-ovate leaves and small tubular white or pinkish flowers in whorls forming a spike
Name status: Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a light, well-drained, fertile soil in a sheltered position in full sun. May be grown as a short-lived sub-shrub in mild areas or over-wintered under glass

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants

Pruning

Pinch out flowerheads as they appear to ensure continued leaf growth. Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to leafhoppers, aphids, slugs and snails

Diseases

May be affected by powdery mildews

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