Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Holy Basil, also known as ‘Tulsi’ or ‘Tulsi Basil’ is one of the most popular varieties of basil in existence. Often known for its use in teas, Holy Basil is used in eastern cultures for many holistic purposes including spiritual practices. The flavor notes are peppery and sweet and can be used in cooking fresh or dried, used as a garnish, dried for tea blends or spice mixes, and much more. The plant itself can grow up to 36 inches tall and has a bushy appearance with purple stems and dainty pink-purple flowers that bloom in the summer and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. This herb is highly aromatic and versatile, making it a wonderful addition to any herb garden.
NAME: Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
VARIETY: Green Leaf Holy
DAYS TO MATURITY: 65 – 75 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Annual
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 4 – 11
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Sun
SOIL: Well-draining soil with a pH 6.2 – 7.2
SPACING: 12 – 16 inches
PLANT HEIGHT: 24 – 36 inches
TEMP: 55 – 95ºF
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
Sow seeds indoors 2 weeks before your last local spring frost.
You can sow into small or large pots; the seedlings can remain in larger pots for their entire life if you choose.
You can also sow in cell trays to transplant outside later.
Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting soil mix, keeping the soil moist and ensuring ambient temps are around 70°F
Water in well and germination will occur in 10 to 15 days
When seedlings emerge, thin to one seedling per cell or several seedlings per large pot
As soon as the seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow 3 to 4 inches beneath fluorescent/LED plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night, raising the light with growth
When seedlings are 3 inches tall, begin to harden off the seedlings for several days. Do this by taking them outside during the day and bringing them in at night (Outside temps should be above 50°F when you start this process)
Before planting outside make sure soil temps are at least 55°F and ambient temps don’t fall below 60°F, basil seedlings are sensitive to cold temperatures.
Direct sow seeds outdoors once ambient temps stay above 60°F during the day and night; soil temp should be 55°F or higher (Minor temperature fluctuations are okay)
Sow seeds 2 inches apart and cover with 1/4 inch of fine soil; press soil down lightly and water them in generously; seedlings will emerge in 12 to 18 days (Warmer soil temps germinate the seeds quicker)
When seedlings are 2 inches tall, thin to 8 inches apart; this will allow enough space for each plant to grow
It is important to keep the soil continuously moist until the sprouts get to be 1 inch tall
Cutting the plant stem above a leaf node will cause it to bush out more, which is recommended for more productivity and less tall leggy plants
Genovese Basil can be grown as an annual in most climates, but in warmer regions, it may behave as a perennial.
Pinch back the growing tips of the plants regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent them from becoming leggy.
Leaves may be harvested individually once the plant is over 8 inches tall; be careful not to overharvest and keep a few leaves on the plant for photosynthesis
Harvest leaves as needed throughout the growing season, but avoid harvesting more than one-third of the plant at a time to ensure continued growth.
