Holy Basil
Key Facts
- Ideal to grow if you like cooking spicy Thai dishes.
- Takes about 2 to 3 months to grow
- Seeds are available from Amazon
Grow at home as an ingredient ?
Fresh Holy basil is not available in many shops which is why it’s the ideal type to grow at home.
Very easy to grow, see below.
Background
- Holy basil (also called tulasi basil) is native to the indian subcontinent. It is grown extensively in southeastern Asia.
- Very peppery flavour – often called hot basil
- Ideal for cooking spicy Thai dishes.
- Days from seed to harvest – about 60 to 80 (2 to 3 months)
- About 50 cm high
Typical Holy Basil Recipes
The Tulasi or Holy Basil herb is ideal to grow 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.
Example recipes:
How to grow holy basil at home
This basil herb is native to the Indian subcontinent and is cultivated throughout the Southeast Asian tropics.
Basil is ideally suited for planting outside in a pot on a balcony or terrace. Or you can grow it inside on a sunny windowsill (or using lighting)
It loves warm very sunny conditions and hates cold draughts. If you want to grow basil in soil then:
- Sow thinly into soil at a depth of 6mm
- Will germinate in 12 to 40 days
- Thin the seedlings or transplant leaving 38 cm between plants
Ideal for growing using Hydroponics or Aquaponics
Basil is one of the most popular herbs to grow using hydroponics – as it will be ready to be harvested quicker than planted in soil.
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. So that it will provide you with fresh herbs when you want it.
Quick Summary
- Also known as Tulsi, Holy Basil, Ocimum tenuiflorum.
- Often cultivated for religious and medicinal purposes. And has an important role in Hinduism as an elixir of life.
- The plant has strongly scented green or purple leaves and purplish elongated flowers.
Our product rating
We rated the 8 most popular basil types on the best variety to grow for cooking at home.
Holy Basil
Summary
This is a great basil if you like spicy dishes – but please note it is different from Thai Basil and a lot more peppery. For more details have a look at example Holy Basil recipes above.
Fresh Holy basil is not available in many shops which is why it’s the ideal type to grow at home.
Holy Basil seeds are available from Amazon
More information
One of the most surprising herbs I’ve grown – and great if you like hot recipes. Well worth giving a go, especially grown indoors using extra light