Holy Basil (Tulsi)
Ocimum tenuiflorum (syn. Ocimum sanctum) • Lamiaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Herb
🌍 Origin Region
Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia
📅 Days to Maturity
70-90 days to maturity; leaves can be harvested once plant is 8-12 inches tall.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 10-11 (Perennial); grown as an annual in Zones 1-9.
About This Seed
The seeds are tiny, round to oval, dark brown to black nutlets found within dried calyxes. The plant is an upright, many-branched subshrub with green or purple square stems, serrated elliptical leaves, and small purple or white flowers in slender racemes.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Spring to Summer; best started indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; very frost-sensitive.
Germination
Germination takes 7-14 days at 70-85°F (21-29°C). Light is required for germination; do not cover seeds deeply. Maintain consistent moisture.
Planting Instructions
Sow 1/8 inch deep in well-draining, fertile soil. Space plants 12-18 inches apart with 18-24 inches between rows. Soil pH should be 6.0 to 7.5.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun (at least 6 hours daily). Requires regular watering; keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Tolerates moderate humidity.
Companion Plants
Grows well with tomatoes, peppers, and oregano. Avoid planting near rue or large shrubs that create excessive shade.
Special Characteristics
Highly aromatic, medicinal (adaptogen), sacred in Hinduism, attracts bees and butterflies, heat-tolerant, used in teas and culinary dishes.