Lemon Basil 'Pesto Perpetuo'

Ocimum x citriodorum

How to grow Lemon Basil 'Pesto Perpetuo'

  • Full Sun

  • Medium

Pinch terminal shoots to encourage branching.

Try to plant in a location that enjoys full sun and remember to water moderately. Keep in mind when planting that Pesto Perpetuo is thought of as half hardy, so it will need protecting in periods of cold weather. Planting Pesto Perpetuo in sandy, loamy and clay soil with a ph of between 6.0 and 7.5 is ideal for as it does best in weakly acidic soil to weakly alkaline soil.

Growing Pesto Perpetuo from seed

Cover with finely sieved compost.

Aim to sow 0.12 inches (0.3 cm) deep and try to ensure a gap of at least 0.5 inches (1.27 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 10°C / 50°F to ensure good germination.

By our calculations, you should look at sowing Pesto Perpetuo about 20 days before your last frost date.

Transplanting Pesto Perpetuo

Plant out when frost risk has passed.

As Pesto Perpetuo is half hardy, ensure temperatures are mild enough to plant out - wait until after your last frost date to be on the safe side.

By our calculations, you should look at planting out Pesto Perpetuo about 21 days after your last frost date.

Harvesting Pesto Perpetuo

Snip to encourage the plant to get bushy. All cuttings are edible.

This variety tends to be ready for harvesting by mid summer.

Lemon Basil Pesto Perpetuo Etymology

The word basil means “king” in Greek – it is believed to have grown above the spot where St. Constantine and Helen discovered the Holy Cross. This hybrid variety is called “perpetuo” because it can be perennial in warm climates.