Lime Basil
Lime basil is another hybrid that’s generally hard to find; it has a sturdy lime odor that becomes especially evident once it’s minced or chopped.
Even the peppery-lime taste can complement many tasty dishes and lend an even more complicated flavor profile instead of sweet basil.
Uses
Use it in fry, poultry, and fish meals; the fresh citrus flavor will give it zest.
Lime basil pairs well with tomato-flavored meals, pasta sauces, and vegetables, particularly beans, peppers, and eggplants, also goes well with soups and stuffing for the duck.
Kitchen Use Tips
Lime Basil is best if used fresh and implemented in the meal at the end of cooking. If You overcook it, you will quickly ruin its flavor.
You can use the whole leaf or mince it with the knife.
How to Grow Lime Basil
Lime basil plants are commonly grown as annuals.
However, this plant is perennial in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 11.
Position the plant where it receives at least six hours of sunlight per day.
This herb requires well-drained soil. If drainage is poor, dig in a little compost before planting.
If you’re growing herb in a container, use a good quality commercial potting mix.
You can start lime basil seeds indoors in late winter, about six to eight weeks ahead of the last frost in your climate.
However, most gardeners prefer to buy starter plants at a nursery or garden center.
Allow 12 to 16 inches (25-35 cm.) between plants. Lime Basil prefers good air circulation and doesn’t do well in a crowded bed.
Check potted basil plants daily during hot weather as conditions dry out quickly.
Keep the foliage as dry as possible to prevent disease. Avoid sprinklers. Instead, use a hose to water the plants at the base.
Using a water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength, feed plants every four to six weeks during spring and summer.
Avoid overfeeding, which will weaken the citrusy flavor. Snip leaves and stems and use them in the kitchen as often as you like.
The tangy flavor is most noticeable when the plant is harvested before blooming.
Cut lime basil back if the plant begins to look spindly. Regular trimming will keep the plant bushy and compact.
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