Ocimum tenuiflorum
Holy basil, tulasi or tulsi as it's also commonly known, is an aromatic herb that's native to the Indian subcontinent and widespread throughout the Southeast Asian tropics.
Besides being a great addition to most meals, tulsi can also help in maintaining normal levels of the stress hormone – cortisol in the body.
Sprouts in: 1 - 2 weeks
Harvest in: 5 - 12 weeks
- Holy Basil is not heat sensitive and grows best at 18 - 30 °C / 64 - 86 °F.
- Holy Basil likes to be cut! You can start trimming your plants in about one month after planting. You may remove single leaves occasionally. But, for more thriving growth pinching off the whole tip is recommended - it will grow two new shoots in a week.
- Trimming your plant will also delay flowering and keeps the plant compact and low. Also, the pod will last longer.
- Guide to pruning can be found here.
- Please note that Holy Basil is an annual plant. It does not last forever. If it has been over twelve weeks and the plant looks aged, it is time to replace the pod.
