Holy Basil
Key Facts
- This basil has a very peppery flavour – often called hot basil.
- And is ideal if you like cooking spicy Thai dishes
- Takes about 2 to 3 months to grow
Holy basil (also called tulasi basil) is native to the Indian subcontinent. It is grown extensively in southeastern Asia.
Unfortunately fresh Holy basil is not often available in many shops but it’s very easy to grow at home, see below.
Typical Holy Basil Recipes
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.
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. It is fun to grow, especially if you like cooking authentic dishes.
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:
- Days from seed to harvest – about 60 to 80 (2 to 3 months)
- To start sow thinly into soil at a depth of 6mm
- The seeds will germinate in 12 to 40 days
- Then thin the seedlings or transplant leaving 38 cm between plants.
- They will grow to about 50 cm high
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.
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
To buy this basil – 4 Places to buy basil
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