Basil 'Holy Thai' Seeds (Tulsi)

Ocimum tenuiflorum, known as Holy Basil or Tulsi, is quite different from the smooth, green Italian basil you might be used to. It has slightly hairy, purple-tinged stems and leaves that release a complex, spicy aroma of clove, peppermint, and musk.

In Thailand, it is the essential ingredient for the famous dish Pad Kra Pao (Holy Basil Chicken). In India, it is worshipped as a sacred plant, often grown in a pot near the front door to bring health and prosperity to the home. It brings a wonderful, exotic depth to your herb garden.

Why Your Garden Needs Holy Basil

We love growing this because it offers something truly different for the kitchen. The flavour is "hotter" and more peppery than sweet basil, which transforms stir-fries and curries. Even if you don't cook with it, the leaves make a deeply soothing, restorative herbal tea.

It is also a wildlife magnet. When allowed to flower, the purple and white spikes are absolutely covered in bees. It is a sturdy, bushy plant that loves the heat and adds a lovely texture to a potager or sunny patio container.

Understanding the Plant: What is a Tender Annual?

Holy Basil is a Tender Annual (in the UK climate).

This means it loves the sun and absolutely detests the cold. In its native tropics, it is a shrubby perennial, but here we grow it fresh from seed each spring. You must wait until the weather is properly warm before introducing it to the garden—think of it as a guest who only likes summer holidays!

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

Holy Basil needs a little more heat than Italian basil to get going, so patience is key.

🌱 Germination:
Sow indoors from March to May. The seeds need warmth (20-25°C) and light to germinate. Sow them on the surface of moist compost and simply press them down—do not cover them with soil. A heated propagator or a very sunny windowsill is ideal.

Where to Sow:
We recommend growing Holy Basil in pots. This gives you the flexibility to move them into the greenhouse or indoors if the weather turns chilly. It thrives in a greenhouse, polytunnel, or a sheltered, south-facing patio.

Care While Growing:
The Pinch: Just like sweet basil, pinch out the growing tips when the plant is about 15cm tall. This encourages it to bush out and produce more leaves. Keep it watered but not soggy, and feed it occasionally with a liquid seaweed feed.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features, helping you decide if this spicy herb is the right fit for your garden.

My Recommended Garden Companions

Holy Basil loves the same hot, sunny conditions as many flowering annuals. Growing these nearby helps bring in the pollinators and keeps pests away:

• 🏵️ French Marigolds (Tagetes): The spicy scent of Marigolds pairs well with the peppery aroma of Holy Basil. They are excellent bodyguards, helping to deter whitefly and keeping your herbs clean.
• 🟠 Calendula (Pot Marigold): A bright, cheerful companion for the vegetable patch. Calendula attracts hoverflies, which are great for eating any aphids that might try to settle on your basil leaves.

📅 Sowing & Harvesting Calendar

Sow indoors in warmth. Harvest leaves continuously to stop the plant becoming woody.

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)