Kapoor Tulsi (Holy Basil)

Ocimum sanctum

Seeds per pack ~70

Germination: 97% Feb 2024 (Packed for 2025)

Origins and History

Tulsi Basil, also known as Holy Basil, has been revered for thousands of years across South Asia, particularly in India, where it holds sacred status in Hinduism. Considered a manifestation of the goddess Tulsi, it has been grown around homes and temples for both its spiritual significance and medicinal value. As an heirloom variety, Tulsi has been carefully preserved and passed down through generations, maintaining its traditional role in Ayurvedic medicine, rituals, and household gardens. Beyond India, Tulsi spread through Southeast Asia and later into global herb gardens, valued for its resilience and aromatic, healing qualities.

Appearance and Characteristics

Tulsi Basil is a bushy, perennial shrub in warm climates, typically reaching 2–3 feet tall. It bears green to purplish leaves, slightly serrated and highly aromatic, with a clove-like, peppery fragrance. Small, delicate purple or white flowers appear on terminal spikes, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. Compared to sweet basil, Tulsi has a more pungent, earthy, and medicinal flavor, with distinct essential oils that set it apart in both culinary and herbal uses.

Culinary Uses

While less common in Western cooking than sweet basil, Tulsi Basil is widely used in traditional South Asian cuisine and herbal preparations. Fresh leaves are brewed into a soothing, health-promoting tea, often blended with ginger and honey. It can be added to soups, curries, or rice dishes for its spicy, clove-like aroma. Tulsi’s culinary use is intertwined with its medicinal reputation—thought to reduce stress, support digestion, and boost immunity—making it as much a healing herb as a seasoning.

Growing Tips

Tulsi Basil thrives in warm climates and grows as a perennial in USDA Zones 10–12, though it can be grown as an annual in Zones 4–9. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Seeds should be sown about ¼ inch deep, either directly outdoors after frost danger has passed or indoors 6–8 weeks before transplanting. Consistent watering is important, though Tulsi tolerates moderate drought once established. Regular pinching back encourages bushier growth and prolongs leaf production.

Harvesting Guidance

Harvesting of Tulsi Basil can begin once the plant is well established, typically when it reaches about 12 inches tall. Snip leaves and tender stems regularly to encourage new growth, ideally harvesting in the morning when oils are most concentrated. Leaves can be used fresh or dried for tea, powders, or tinctures. If grown for seed saving, allow some flower spikes to mature and set seed, while continuing to harvest other portions of the plant for culinary and medicinal uses.