Thai Basil
Everleaf Thai Towers Basil is an exceptional Thai basil cultivar that reaches a compact 24 inches tall with a columnar growth habit, making it visually striking in gardens and containers alike. This open-pollinated variety flowers from summer through fall, attracting pollinators with its blooms while delivering the distinctive anise-like flavor Thai cuisine demands. Ready to harvest in just 65 days from seed, it thrives in full sun across hardiness zones 10-11, though it can be grown as an annual in cooler regions. The tower-like form sets it apart from sprawling basil varieties, offering both ornamental appeal and practical productivity in compact spaces.
12-18 inches apart
Full Sun
Moderate
10-11
24in H x 12in W
Annual
High
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The columnar growth habit gives this basil an architectural quality rare among culinary varieties, rising to a neat 24 inches without the sprawling spread of conventional basils. It flowers prolifically from June through November, serving double duty as a pollinator magnet while the leaves remain harvestable and flavorful. The compact footprint and rapid maturity to harvest (65 days) make it particularly well-suited to container gardening and small-space cultivation. Seed germination happens reliably at 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit within 5 to 10 days, and open-pollinated genetics mean you can save seed from mature plants.
Thai basil leaves are harvested fresh and added to curries, stir-fries, and aromatic dishes where their distinctive anise-peppery flavor shines. The leaves can be used in both cooked applications and as a fresh garnish, lending an authentic dimension to Thai and Southeast Asian recipes. The flowers, which bloom reliably throughout summer and fall, attract beneficial pollinators to the garden while remaining edible themselves, adding ornamental and functional value to plantings.
Sow seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost. Plant seeds 1/8 inch deep and maintain soil temperature between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit for best germination, which typically occurs within 5 to 10 days. When seedlings have developed 3 to 4 sets of leaves, they are ready to transplant outdoors.
Transplant seedlings to the garden after the danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space plants 4 inches apart (or 4 to 8 inches if thinning, though spacing is not strictly necessary). Ensure the planting location receives full sun and has good air circulation to prevent fungal problems.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost date. Plant seeds 1/8 inch deep, 2 to 3 seeds per inch in rows spaced 18 inches apart, then firm the soil over the seeds. Thin seedlings to final spacing of 4 to 8 inches apart; thinning is not strictly necessary, but spacing produces healthier, fuller plants.
Begin light harvesting once plants have become well-established. Harvest in the early morning when temperatures are cooler and leaves are less likely to wilt. A full harvest should be completed just before plants begin to flower. Cut the entire plant 4 to 6 inches above the ground to encourage regrowth. Handle leaves carefully as they bruise easily when picked.
Pinch back growing tips regularly to encourage branching and fuller growth. Once plants are established, begin light harvesting to shape the plant. For a full harvest before flowering, cut the entire plant 4 to 6 inches above the ground to promote a second growth flush.
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