Tulsi Holy Basil brings the sacred essence of traditional Indian gardens to your herb patch, growing into compact 12-18 inch plants that thrive in full sun. This frost-tender annual from the mint family requires patience with germination temperatures between 50-60°F, but rewards gardeners with aromatic foliage that carries deep cultural significance. Spaced 8-12 inches apart depending on your growing goals, Tulsi transforms any garden into a fragrant sanctuary where culinary and spiritual traditions converge.
8
Full Sun
Moderate
10-12
18in H x ?in W
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High
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This sacred basil variety offers gardeners a direct connection to one of India's most revered herbs, combining compact growth with profound cultural importance. The plants reach a manageable 12-18 inches tall, making them perfect for containers or small garden spaces. Tulsi demands warmth and patience, refusing to germinate until temperatures reach at least 50°F, but this temperature sensitivity ensures the most flavorful and potent leaves. Regular pinching and harvesting encourage the lush, branching growth that makes this variety so productive throughout the growing season.
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Sow seeds 1 inch apart in seed starting mix 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost, planting 1/4 inch deep. Keep the growing medium warm and evenly moist while providing strong light for healthy seedling development. Gradually acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions before transplanting when nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50°F.
Transplant seedlings only after late spring temperatures remain above 50°F both day and night, ensuring soil temperature reaches at least 60°F. Space transplants 8-12 inches apart with careful hardening off to prevent shock from the temperature transition.
Direct sow seeds 1-2 weeks after your average last frost date when soil temperature reaches at least 60°F, ideally between 65-85°F. Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep and consider successive sowings every 3 weeks for continuous harvest.
Harvest by cutting stems just above two new sprouting lateral branches, which encourages lush regrowth for continuous picking. Cut sprays of leaves rather than individual leaves to maintain plant shape and vigor. This cutting method above growth nodes ensures the plant continues producing fresh foliage throughout the growing season.
Pinch off growing tips when plants reach 6-8 inches tall to encourage branching and bushier growth. Keep flower buds consistently pinched off to extend the harvesting period and maintain leaf production. Regular pinching creates the full, productive plants that make Tulsi such a rewarding herb to grow.
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