Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Thai Basil is an aromatic herb that is widely use in cuisines throughout Southeast Asia such as curries, chutneys and stir-fries. This basil variety is similar in flavor and fragrance to Licorice Basil with spice sweet notes of anise but is a bit more mild. The leaves are slightly pointed and oval in shape and are the most flavorful part of the plant. The delicate purple flowers grow in clusters and are also edible with a mild basil flavor. Thai Basil can be used fresh, used as a garnish, or can be dried and used as a spice or a tea. This variety of basil can be grown in containers, raised beds, or directly in the ground and will thrive in full sun but will also tolerate some filtered shade.
NAME: Basil (Ocimum basilicum var thyrsiflora)
VARIETY: Thai
DAYS TO MATURITY: 60 – 80 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Annual
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 3 – 11
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Sun
SOIL: Well-draining soil with a pH 6.2 – 7.0
SPACING: 12 – 14 inches
PLANT HEIGHT: 14 – 18 inches
TEMP: 55 – 95ºF
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
Start your seeds in cell trays or small pots with moist potting soil 2 to 3 weeks before your last local spring frost
Keep the soil evenly moist and temperatures above 65ºF and germination will occur in 15 to 20 days
Provide light with a sunny windowsill or grow lights until the seedlings reach 3 inches tall
Before transplanting outdoors, harden off 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)
Locate an area that receives full sun with rich, loose, well-draining soil. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep directly into garden beds 1 to 2 weeks after your last local spring frost
Plant the seeds 2 inches apart
When seedlings sprout thin them out so they are spaced 6 inches apart
Once they grow to be a few inches tall thin out once more so they are spaced a minimum of 12 inches apart.
Basil prefers soil that is well draining and likes to have the soil nearly dried out in between waterings
If weather drops will drop below 50ºF, provide row covering of your choice to protect from cold damage
Prune back the basil to half its height to promote new growth and develop a bushier plant
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.
