Holy basil is ideal if you like cooking spicy Thai dishes
Also know as Tulasi basil, Tulsi basil or hot basil.
Below you will find:
- How to grow Holy basil at home
- How to use Holy basil & examples recipes
How to grow Holy basil at home
Quick summary:
- Height 90 cm, Spread 40 cm
- Loves warm, sunny conditions
- Time for seed to harvest – 75 days
To grow it you will need:
- 1 packet Holy basil seeds
- Plant pot & soil
- 1 Seed tray (optional)
- 1 Heating mat (optional)
Method
The first step is to get the basil seeds.
- You can order them online from Amazon or some garden centres will sell them.
The next stage is to put the seeds in the soil.
- Fill a plant pot (or a few pots ) with soil, then add the seeds and sprinkle a bit of soil on top.
- Quick tip – If you put the seeds into a bowl of water for 30 minutes to 1 hour they will start growing quicker then simply putting them in soil.
- Quick tip – Instead of using plants pots start the seeds using a seed tray with a lid. The advantage of using a lid is that it will retain the moisture helping your plants grow. Simply put a bit of soil in the tray, spoon in the seeds and cover with a bit of soil.
Then simply put the pot or tray somewhere safe and leave them to sprout.
- The seeds will germinate in 5 to 15 days.
- Quick tip – Use a heat mat. All you do is put the tray on the mat and the extra heat will significantly speed up how fast your seeds will grow.
- For more info & why it works so well have a look at our article on a seed starter mat
Help them grow
- When they’ve grown thin the seedlings or transplant leaving 30 cm between plants, Then simple put them somewhere warm and sunny and wait for them to grow.
- One option (depending on the time of year or where you live) is to use an indoor grow light.
Notes
It is ideally suited for planting outside in a pot on a balcony or terrace or inside on a sunny windowsill (or using lighting)
How to grow Holy basil using Hydroponics or Aquaponics.
It is very easy to grow holy basil using hydroponics – As it will be ready to be harvested quicker than planted in soil.
New to hydroponics? – Top 5 hydroponic kits for beginners
But in addition it is ideal for aquaponics – especially because it loves nitrogen. In addition, whether using hydroponics or aquaponics you will be able to grow it all year around – providing you with fresh herbs when you want it.
2. What is Holy basil used for
The Tulasi or Holy Basil herb is ideal if you like cooking spicy Thai dishes.
Although sometimes confused with Thai Basil the Holy Basil herb is completely different and has such a peppery flavour that it is often referred to as ‘hot basil’.
Please note that another herb ‘white holy basil’ is again slightly different, and often used for seafood dishes.
3. Examples of popular recipes that use Holy basil
Often cultivated for religious and medicinal purposes. And has an important role in Hinduism as an elixir of life.
Example recipes:
More information
The type of basil you use will differ depending on the flavour you need, as well as recipe requirements. There is more info at the example basil recipes page
Leave a Reply