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Lemon Basil

Lemon basil microgreens (Ocimum × africanum) are an herb microgreen with a citrus, bright and floral flavor, ready to harvest in 12-18 days. MicrogreenUSA grows them sushi-grade indoors for wholesale standing orders, and they are best for seafood and cocktails.

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Lemon Basil Microgreens

Lemon basil microgreens combine basil's warmth with a clean citrus lift, a bright and slightly floral herb that reads fresher than either lemon or basil alone.

Beautiful over crudo, ceviche, white fish and summer desserts, and increasingly popular behind the bar in craft cocktails.

Order Lemon Basil Wholesale →
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Common nameLemon Basil
Botanical nameOcimum × africanum
CategoryHerbs
FlavorCitrus, bright, floral
Grow time12-18 days
Best forSeafood, cocktails
AvailabilityYear-round wholesale
Minimum order5 lbs / week
Grow Data & Sources

What do seed suppliers publish for growing lemon basil microgreens?

Johnny's Selected Seeds is the only supplier we found with lemon basil microgreen data: Basil, Lemon Microgreen Seed (774M), 6.5 gm per tray (approx. 5 flats per oz of seed), about 19 days to the first true leaf. True Leaf Market's lemon basil listing is garden seed with no microgreen data.

Seed per 1020 tray (Johnny's trial)6.5 g
Days to first true leaf (Johnny's)19

Sources: Johnny's Selected Seeds.

Is there USDA nutrition data for lemon basil microgreens?

Not from a lab: FoodData Central has no entry for lemon basil microgreens, so we print no nutrient figures.

Are lemon basil microgreens a food-safety concern?

FDA classes lemon basil microgreens as covered produce, not sprouts (FDA guidance).

Common Questions

Lemon Basil FAQ

What do lemon basil microgreens taste like?

Lemon basil microgreens have a citrus, bright and floral flavor. They combine basil's warmth with a clean citrus lift, a bright and slightly floral herb that reads fresher than either lemon or basil alone. They are the young cotyledon-stage greens of Ocimum × africanum, harvested before the first true leaves appear.

How long do lemon basil microgreens take to grow?

Lemon basil microgreens take 12-18 days from seed to harvest in our indoor farm. The seed is sown dry with no pre-soak. For comparison, seed suppliers publish about 19 days to first true leaf in Johnny's 2017 trial. Our full growing process is on our process page.

How do chefs use lemon basil microgreens?

Beautiful over crudo, ceviche, white fish and summer desserts, and increasingly popular behind the bar in craft cocktails. In our wholesale program they are best for seafood and cocktails. They are available year-round on a standing weekly order, on their own or as part of a custom blend with other varieties from our catalog of 20.

How long do lemon basil microgreens last after delivery?

Lemon basil microgreens keep 5-7 days, since basils are the most delicate greens we grow, when refrigerated at 34-38°F in sealed packaging and kept away from ethylene-producing produce. They are clean-cut with sanitized blades and in cold storage within 45 minutes of harvest, so orders typically arrive with 5-10 days of shelf life remaining.

How do I order lemon basil microgreens wholesale?

Order through a MicrogreenUSA wholesale account. The minimum is 5 lbs per week for a single restaurant, and lemon basil microgreens can be packed in 2, 4 or 8 oz anti-fog clamshells, 1-5 lb vacuum-sealed bulk pouches or uncut living trays. Southeast USA accounts get deliveries on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and we reply to applications within 24 business hours.