Basil Lemon Microgreen Seeds
Grow aromatic Lemon Basil microgreens with tender green leaves and a distinctive fresh citrus-basil flavour. Lemon Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a specialty basil variety valued for its bright lemon aroma and refreshing flavour. When grown as a microgreen, it produces tender young growth that combines familiar basil character with distinctive citrus notes.
Lemon Basil microgreens are particularly well suited to salads, seafood, Asian dishes, noodle dishes, desserts, drinks and fresh culinary garnishes. Like other basil microgreens, they are slower-growing than many common microgreen crops but are grown for their distinctive aroma, flavour and culinary versatility.
Seedmart Lemon Basil seeds are non-GMO, open-pollinated and untreated and can be grown as microgreens or grown on to produce mature Lemon Basil plants.
Basil Lemon Microgreen Seed Details
| Botanical name | Ocimum basilicum |
|---|---|
| Common name | Lemon Basil |
| Seed type | Open-pollinated and non-GMO |
| Seed treatment | Untreated |
| Seeds per gram | Approximately 600 |
| Pre-soak | Not required |
| Sowing rate | Approximately 20–28 g per 10 × 20 inch tray as a starting rate |
| Growing medium | Potting mix, coco coir or suitable microgreen growing medium |
| Covered period | Approximately 4–6 days as a starting guide |
| Typical harvest | Approximately 14–21 days |
| Flavour | Fresh basil flavour with bright lemon and citrus notes |
Why Grow Lemon Basil Microgreens?
- Distinctive basil flavour with a fresh lemon and citrus aroma.
- Tender green microgreens suitable for fresh culinary use.
- Ideal for salads, seafood, Asian dishes, noodle dishes and fresh garnishes.
- Useful in both savoury and sweet dishes where a fresh citrus note is desired.
- Can be grown in potting mix, coco coir or other suitable microgreen growing media.
- No seed pre-soaking required.
- Non-GMO, open-pollinated and untreated seed.
- Suitable for home growers, chefs and commercial specialty microgreen production.
- Can also be grown on to produce mature Lemon Basil plants.
How to Grow Lemon Basil Microgreens
Lemon Basil is a specialty basil microgreen that prefers warm growing conditions. Basil seeds are mucilaginous, meaning they develop a gelatinous coating after becoming wet, so pre-soaking is not recommended. For a standard 10 × 20 inch microgreen tray, approximately 20–28 grams of seed provides a useful starting range that can be adjusted according to growing conditions and preferred crop density.
- Prepare the growing tray.
Add approximately 3–4 cm of moist potting mix, coco coir or another suitable microgreen growing medium to a shallow tray and gently level the surface. - Sow the Lemon Basil seeds.
Spread the dry seeds evenly across the surface. Aim for consistent coverage without allowing the seeds to form thick piles or clumps. - Mist thoroughly.
Use a fine spray mister to moisten the seeds and growing surface evenly. The seeds will develop a gelatinous coating after absorbing water; this is a normal characteristic of basil seed. - Cover the tray.
Cover with a suitable lid or blackout tray during initial establishment. Keep the tray warm and maintain adequate ventilation. Approximately 4–6 days provides a useful starting guide for the covered period, although emergence should determine when the crop is moved into light. - Maintain consistent moisture.
Check the tray regularly and mist or water as required. Keep the growing medium evenly moist without allowing it to become waterlogged. - Introduce the seedlings to light.
Once the seedlings have emerged and established, remove the cover and move the tray into bright indirect natural light or beneath suitable artificial growing lights. - Water as the crop develops.
Continue to maintain consistent moisture. Once the seedlings are established, bottom watering can help keep the foliage drier while supplying moisture to the roots. - Harvest the microgreens.
Lemon Basil microgreens can generally be harvested from approximately 14–21 days after sowing, depending on temperature, light and the preferred stage of harvest. Cut the stems cleanly just above the growing medium when the crop has developed good colour and its characteristic lemon-basil aroma.
What Do Lemon Basil Microgreens Taste Like?
Lemon Basil microgreens combine the familiar aromatic character of basil with a fresh citrus fragrance and bright lemon flavour. The result is a distinctive specialty microgreen that provides both herbaceous and citrus notes in a tender young crop.
Their flavour works particularly well with seafood, salads, noodles, curries, soups and Asian-inspired dishes. Lemon Basil microgreens can also complement fruit, desserts and drinks where a fresh herbal citrus note is appropriate.
Because the flavour is most distinctive when fresh, Lemon Basil microgreens are particularly well suited to use as a finishing ingredient or garnish rather than being subjected to prolonged cooking.
A Citrus-Flavoured Specialty Microgreen
Lemon Basil offers a different flavour profile from traditional sweet basil varieties. Its characteristic citrus aroma makes it particularly useful for growers wanting to broaden a specialty microgreen range beyond standard basil flavours.
The crop has potential for chef and restaurant-focused production because it can be used across both savoury and sweet dishes. Its lemon-basil flavour pairs naturally with seafood and Asian cuisine but is also suitable for fresh desserts, fruit dishes, drinks and creative garnishes.
Like other basil microgreens, Lemon Basil is generally grown for flavour and aroma rather than rapid crop turnover. Growers should allow a longer production period than they would for fast-growing brassica microgreens such as broccoli, radish or mustard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Lemon Basil microgreens take to grow?
Lemon Basil microgreens can generally be harvested from approximately 14–21 days after sowing. The exact crop time varies according to temperature, light, moisture, sowing density and preferred harvest stage.
Do Lemon Basil microgreen seeds need to be soaked?
No. Lemon Basil seeds should not normally be pre-soaked. Basil seeds become mucilaginous when wet and are more easily handled when sown dry directly onto the prepared growing medium.
How much Lemon Basil seed should I use in a 10 × 20 tray?
Approximately 20–28 grams per standard 10 × 20 inch tray provides a useful starting range. Growers can adjust the quantity according to germination, growing conditions and their preferred finished crop density.
Why do Lemon Basil seeds become gelatinous when wet?
Basil seeds are naturally mucilaginous. When the seeds absorb water, a gelatinous coating develops around them. This is normal and does not indicate that the seed is deteriorating.
Do Lemon Basil microgreens need a blackout period?
A covered period can be used during initial germination and establishment. Approximately 4–6 days provides a useful starting guide, but the crop should be monitored and moved into suitable light once the seedlings have emerged and established.
Can Lemon Basil microgreens be grown without soil?
Yes. Lemon Basil can be grown using coco coir or other suitable microgreen growing media in addition to potting mix. The chosen medium should provide reliable moisture, drainage and support for the developing roots.
What do Lemon Basil microgreens taste like?
Lemon Basil microgreens have an aromatic basil flavour combined with bright lemon and citrus notes. They are particularly suited to dishes where a fresh herbal citrus flavour is desirable.
When should Lemon Basil microgreens be harvested?
Harvest once the young plants have developed good green colour and a noticeable lemon-basil aroma, commonly from approximately 14–21 days after sowing. Cut the stems cleanly just above the growing medium.
How is Lemon Basil different from regular Sweet Basil?
Both are culinary basils, but Lemon Basil is distinguished by its pronounced citrus fragrance and lemon-like flavour. Sweet Basil has the more familiar sweet, aromatic basil flavour commonly associated with Italian cooking.
Can these seeds also be grown as mature Lemon Basil?
Yes. The same seeds can be grown beyond the microgreen stage to produce mature Lemon Basil plants. Mature plants are warm-season annual herbs that develop aromatic green leaves with their characteristic citrus flavour.
Where can I buy Lemon Basil microgreen seeds in Australia?
Seedmart supplies untreated Lemon Basil seed in packet and bulk quantities for home growers, chefs, restaurants, market gardeners and commercial microgreen production throughout Australia.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.