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Growing tulsi (also called holy basil or sacred basil) is one of the easier projects on a homestead, even up here in zone 4 Vermont where it can’t survive the winter outdoors. The plant is a tender perennial in zones 10 and warmer, but for the rest of us, tulsi grows beautifully as either a summer annual in the garden or as a year-round houseplant in a sunny window. Few herbs can match it for fragrance, beauty, and continuous summer-long blooming.
Table of Contents
- Notes from My Homestead
- Can You Grow Tulsi at Home?
- Tulsi Hardiness and Growing Zones
- Types of Tulsi (Holy Basil) Varieties
- How to Grow Tulsi from Seed
- How to Grow Tulsi from Cuttings
- Tulsi Plant Care
- Growing Tulsi Indoors
- When and How to Harvest Tulsi
- How to Make Tulsi Tea
- Other Uses for Tulsi
- Traditional Uses of Tulsi
- Safety and Cautions for Tulsi
- Tulsi FAQs
- Medicinal Herb Growing Guides
- How to Grow Tulsi (Holy Basil) Recipe
Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum, also classified as O. sanctum) has been cultivated for thousands of years across India and Southeast Asia as one of the foundational herbs of Ayurvedic medicine. The Sanskrit name translates roughly to “the incomparable one,” which gives you a sense of how the plant is regarded in traditional culture. Western herbalists know it as one of the classic adaptogens, alongside ashwagandha and astragalus, traditionally used to support the body’s response to stress and to promote a feeling of calm focus.
The good news for cold-climate gardeners is that tulsi is far easier to grow than its tropical reputation suggests. We plant a generous patch in our vegetable garden every spring and harvest most of it before the first frost to dry for winter teas. Unlike the annual sweet basils most American gardeners know, which turn bitter as soon as they flower, tulsi flowers continuously through the season without losing flavor. The flowers are a magnet for bees and butterflies, and the dried plant gives us a winter’s supply of one of the most fragrant herbal teas in our pantry.
Notes from My Homestead
I first fell in love with tulsi during yoga teacher training, where we’d all sit down together at the end of each class with a cup of tea. Tulsi was the one I reached for again and again, just because the flavor was so good, slightly sweet with that warm clove note running underneath. It was only later, reading about adaptogens and Ayurvedic medicine, that I learned the herb has any actual benefits. In hindsight, I’d guess it was probably exactly what my body needed during that intense training period, and the fact that I kept gravitating to it without knowing why was really the herb doing its quiet work.
Growing my own herbal teas felt like an obvious next step when we started homesteading, and tulsi was one of the first plants I ordered seeds for. Two small starter plants in our Vermont garden expand into substantial bushes by the end of summer, even with our short growing season. The patch produces enough fresh leaves through the summer to drink tulsi tea daily, plus enough for me to cut everything at ground level in late September and hang the bundles to dry for winter. We also bring a few small plants indoors every fall to keep producing fresh leaves through the dark months. Tulsi has earned a permanent place in both our garden plan and our medicinal herb cabinet.
Thank you for sharing. This is great information!
Can You Grow Tulsi at Home?
Yes, tulsi grows readily as a garden plant or houseplant in nearly any climate. The plant is a tender perennial native to tropical India and Southeast Asia, hardy as a true perennial only in USDA zones 10 and 11 where temperatures stay above freezing year-round. Everywhere else (most of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe) tulsi works beautifully either as a summer annual outdoors, as a year-round houseplant in a sunny window, or as a combination of both.
The plant grows quickly from seed and is forgiving of less-than-ideal conditions, which makes it a friendly first-time herb for new gardeners. Two small starter plants typically expand into a substantial patch in a single growing season, and the plants self-sow generously in any climate where summers are warm enough to ripen the seed.
For UK and Canadian gardeners (where the plant cannot survive winters outdoors anywhere), the most productive approach is to grow tulsi as a tender annual in the garden through the warm months and bring small potted plants indoors before the first frost to overwinter under grow lights or in a south-facing window.
Tulsi Hardiness and Growing Zones
Tulsi is hardy as a true perennial in USDA zones 10 and 11, where temperatures rarely drop below freezing. In those climates, plants can live for several years and develop into woody shrubs reaching 4 to 5 feet tall. In zones 9 and colder, tulsi is grown as a tender annual outdoors and is often supplemented with one or two indoor plants for year-round leaves.
The plant cannot tolerate frost. Even a light frost will damage the foliage, and a hard frost kills the plant outright. The minimum safe outdoor nighttime temperature is around 50°F (10°C), and growth slows dramatically below 60°F (15°C). For best growth, daytime temperatures should be in the 70 to 90°F (21 to 32°C) range.
Here in Vermont, our 100-day growing season is enough to produce a generous summer harvest from spring-planted seedlings, even though the plants stay smaller (1 to 2 feet) than they would in a warmer climate. The same is true across most of Canada, the UK, and northern Europe, where tulsi is a viable summer annual and a productive year-round houseplant.
Types of Tulsi (Holy Basil) Varieties
There are a surprising number of holy basil varieties, each with their own distinctive characteristics. Since tulsi has been grown in India for medicine for thousands of years, there has been plenty of time for unique cultivars to develop. The three main varieties are Rama, Krishna, and Vana.
Rama Tulsi (Green Leaf Tulsi)
The most common cultivated variety, with light green leaves and pale purple flowers and a strong clove-like scent. Rama tulsi has a milder flavor than the other varieties and is the most versatile for culinary use and everyday tea. It’s traditionally used to support healthy digestion and is the variety I grow most years for general kitchen use.
Krishna Tulsi (Purple Leaf Tulsi)
A rarer variety with deep purple-tinted leaves and dark purple flowers. Krishna tulsi grows more slowly than the green-leafed varieties, and many herbalists believe the slow growth concentrates its medicinal compounds. The flavor is peppery, warm, and clove-like, and the resulting tea is traditionally used for respiratory complaints. Also known as Shyama tulsi.
Vana Tulsi (Wild or Tree Tulsi)
Considered the best-tasting of the three by many herbalists, but harder to find in seed catalogs. Vana tulsi has two-toned leaves, with the upper leaves a lighter green and the lower leaves a deeper green, and a more lemony flavor than the spicier Rama and Krishna varieties. It’s the variety most often grown for fresh culinary use in salads and pestos when available.
Most herb seed catalogs in North America carry Rama tulsi reliably, with Krishna and Vana available from a few specialty suppliers including Strictly Medicinal Seeds, Mountain Rose Herbs, and Earthbeat Seeds. Growing all three side by side is a fun project for a dedicated medicinal herb garden, since the differences in flavor and flower color are quite pronounced.
How to Grow Tulsi from Seed
Tulsi grows readily from seed, which is the most reliable way to start the plant since live tulsi plants are still uncommon in most American nurseries. Seeds are widely available through specialty herb seed companies, and a single packet typically contains far more seeds than one household will need.
Sow tulsi seeds indoors 6 to 12 weeks before your last spring frost. The seeds need consistent warmth to germinate (a soil temperature of at least 70°F is the minimum, and 75 to 80°F speeds germination considerably) and respond well to bottom heat from a seedling heat mat if your house runs cool. Press the seeds gently onto the surface of moist seed-starting mix and cover with just a thin sprinkle of soil, since tulsi seeds need light to germinate.
Keep the soil consistently moist (not waterlogged) and expect the first seedlings to emerge in roughly 1 to 3 weeks. Once seedlings appear, provide bright light from a sunny south-facing window or supplemental DIY grow lights to prevent legginess. If you’re new to indoor seed starting, my beginner’s guide to seed starting walks through the basics, and the post on common seed starting mistakes covers the damping-off issues that take down most tropical herb seedlings.
Once seedlings have several true leaves and outdoor temperatures are reliably above 50°F at night, harden off gradually over a week or so by exposing the seedlings to outdoor conditions for increasing periods. Tulsi is genuinely tender and will set back severely if exposed to temperatures below 50°F or chilly winds before it’s ready, so don’t rush the move outdoors. My guide to when to start seeds indoors covers timing for various plants by zone.
How to Grow Tulsi from Cuttings
If you have access to an established tulsi plant, propagating from cuttings is faster than starting from seed and produces a plant identical to the parent. The technique is the same as propagating any soft-stemmed herb.
Use a pair of sharp, clean garden shears to take a 4 to 6 inch cutting from the tip of a healthy branch, ideally one that hasn’t yet flowered. Strip away all the lower leaves and any flowers, leaving just a few small leaves at the top of the cutting. Place the cutting in a glass of clean water on a sunny windowsill, making sure the bottom node is submerged but the remaining leaves stay dry.
Change the water every 2 to 3 days to prevent stagnation, and keep the cutting in a warm, well-lit spot at temperatures between 70 and 80°F. White roots should develop in 2 to 3 weeks. Once roots are an inch or two long, transplant into a small pot with fresh potting mix and water in well. Keep the new plant in bright light and consistently moist soil for the first few weeks while it establishes.
Tulsi Plant Care
Once your tulsi plant is established, the care is straightforward. The plant wants consistent warmth, bright light, regular but moderate watering, and occasional feeding to support the heavy leaf production. Here’s the full care routine.
Light Requirements
Tulsi needs at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for healthy growth, and more is better. South-facing windows are ideal in the northern hemisphere for indoor plants, with east and west exposures as backup options. If your indoor light is weak (especially in winter or at high latitudes) supplemental grow lights make an enormous difference. A small full-spectrum LED panel running 4 to 6 hours per day is enough for most indoor tulsi plants and won’t drive up your electric bill the way 12 to 16 hour grow-light regimens do.
Signs your tulsi needs more light: pale leaves, leggy stretching toward the window, sparse flowering, and weak overall growth. A healthy plant has saturated medium-green color (or deep purple, depending on variety), bushy growth, and continuous flowering through the season.
Temperature Tolerance
Tulsi grows best in warm conditions between 70 and 90°F (21 to 32°C). The plant slows down significantly below 60°F (15°C) and stops growing entirely below 50°F (10°C). Frost of any kind will damage or kill the plant, so move outdoor pots inside well before the first fall frost in your area.
For indoor plants, normal house temperatures (68 to 75°F) are perfectly adequate. Just keep pots away from cold drafty windows in winter and away from heating vents that blast hot dry air, both of which stress the plant.
Watering
Tulsi prefers consistently moist soil but tolerates the occasional dry spell better than many tropical herbs. Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry, letting water drain freely from the bottom of the pot. In our greenhouse, our tulsi plants do well in a peat-sand-compost mix that drains very fast, even when the soil dries out completely on occasion.
The most common watering mistake is overwatering, particularly indoors in winter when the plant uses much less water. Yellowing lower leaves usually mean the soil is staying too wet, while wilted leaves that perk up after watering mean the plant was just thirsty. Adjust accordingly.
Soil
A well-drained, balanced potting mix works for indoor tulsi. Outdoor plants are surprisingly adaptable and grow well in everything from heavy clay to raised beds with sandy mixes, as long as drainage is reasonable. The plants prefer slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0), which is what most garden soils naturally are.
Fertilizer
Tulsi is a moderate feeder, especially when you’re regularly harvesting leaves for tea. Top-dress garden plants with an inch of compost in spring and again midsummer for steady fertility. For indoor plants, feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10 or similar) every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season, reducing or stopping during winter when growth slows.
Pruning and Pinching
Regular pinching is the single most important thing you can do to keep tulsi productive. Pinch the growing tips of each branch every few weeks during active growth, which encourages the plant to branch out into a bushy shape rather than growing tall and leggy. The pinched tips are perfect for fresh tea or cooking and aren’t wasted.
If a plant is already getting tall and leggy, cut the main stem back to where new leaves are sprouting along the lower portion of the stem. The plant will branch out from those nodes and become bushier over the next few weeks. Don’t worry about cutting back too aggressively. Tulsi recovers from heavy pruning quickly.
Growing Tulsi Indoors
Tulsi is one of the better tropical herbs for indoor growing, since it’s tolerant of normal house conditions and continues to flower happily year-round if given enough light. Indoor growing is also the only way to keep a single plant alive for multiple years in any climate colder than zone 10.
For successful indoor tulsi, choose a 6 to 8 inch pot with good drainage, fill with a well-draining potting mix, and place in your sunniest available window (south-facing in the northern hemisphere). If natural light is weak, supplement with a full-spectrum LED grow light running 4 to 6 hours per day. Higher-wattage commercial lights and 12+ hour run times aren’t necessary for tulsi and will inflate your electric bill without producing meaningfully better results.
For UK and Canadian gardeners, the indoor approach extends through fall and winter when outdoor conditions become hostile. Bring potted plants in well before the first frost (when nighttime lows start dropping toward 50°F), give them a fresh haircut to remove any leggy growth, and place in your brightest spot. With supplemental light, indoor tulsi can produce fresh leaves throughout the dark months.
When and How to Harvest Tulsi
You can begin harvesting tulsi as soon as the plant reaches about a foot tall, which usually takes 6 to 8 weeks from transplanting (about 40 days from germination if you’re tracking from seed). Continuous light harvesting actually keeps the plant producing more vigorously, since pinching off leaves and tips encourages branching and new growth.
For everyday harvest during the growing season, pinch off individual leaves or short branch tips as needed for tea or cooking. The plant won’t notice and will keep producing all summer. Avoid taking more than about a third of any plant’s foliage at one time during active growth.
For the big end-of-season harvest in cold climates, wait until just before the first frost, then cut the entire plant at ground level with sharp pruners or a sharp knife. Tie the cut stems into small bundles and hang upside down in a warm, well-ventilated room to dry, which usually takes 1 to 2 weeks. Once the leaves are completely crisp, strip them from the stems and store in sealed glass jars away from light. Properly dried and stored tulsi keeps its flavor and aroma for at least a year.
How to Make Tulsi Tea
Tulsi tea is the most common preparation, and it’s worth a little care to bring out the best flavor. The tea has a naturally sweet, slightly minty flavor with a gentle clove note, similar to lemon balm with more warmth and complexity. The volatile aromatic compounds that give tulsi its character are damaged by boiling water, so use water that’s hot but not actively boiling.
To make a single cup, bring water just to a boil, then let it rest for 30 seconds before pouring over 1 tablespoon of dried tulsi (or a small handful of fresh leaves) in a teapot or covered cup. Steep covered for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain and serve. A small spoonful of honey is the traditional sweetener, especially helpful if you’re drinking tulsi for respiratory support.
Tulsi blends beautifully with other gentle herbs. A half-and-half blend with lemon balm makes a calming evening tea, and a blend with ginger and honey is excellent for cold and flu season. Our roundup of herbal immunity tea blends includes several recipes that use tulsi as a foundation herb.
For summer iced tea, brew a strong batch using twice the usual amount of leaves, let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate. Sun tea works beautifully too: drop a handful of fresh tulsi leaves into a glass jar of cool water, set in the sun for several hours, and serve over ice.
Other Uses for Tulsi
Beyond tea, tulsi is used as a culinary herb in much the same way as Italian basil, though with a stronger, more complex flavor. Fresh leaves can be added to salads, sprinkled on tomato dishes, blended into pesto, or used to garnish soups. The flavor pairs particularly well with coconut milk, lemon, ginger, and chili in Thai-inspired dishes.
Tulsi tincture is the most concentrated way to take the herb medicinally. Fill a clean jar with chopped fresh tulsi leaves, cover completely with high-proof vodka, seal, and let infuse for 6 weeks before straining. My complete guide to making herbal tinctures walks through the technique, and our collection of herbal tincture recipes covers more than 20 medicinal tinctures using the same general method.
Tulsi-infused honey is wonderful for sore throats and mild coughs. Pack a clean jar with fresh tulsi leaves and cover completely with raw honey, stirring to release any air bubbles. Let infuse for 4 to 6 weeks at room temperature, then strain (or leave the leaves in if you prefer). The infused honey can be used by the spoonful as needed or stirred into hot water for an instant herbal tea.
Traditional Uses of Tulsi
Tulsi has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for at least 3,000 years and is considered one of the most important herbs in the tradition. It’s classified as an adaptogen, traditionally used to support the body’s response to stress, promote calm focus, and support overall wellness during demanding periods.
Modern research has explored these traditional uses with growing interest, with studies looking at potential effects on stress hormones, immune function, blood sugar regulation, and respiratory health. Results are encouraging in some areas and inconclusive in others, and tulsi is now one of the more widely studied adaptogens. As with any herbal medicine, tulsi is not a replacement for medical care, and people with specific health concerns should work with a qualified herbalist or healthcare provider.
Safety and Cautions for Tulsi
Tulsi is generally considered safe for healthy adults at typical herbalist-recommended doses, but there are a few cautions worth knowing.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Tulsi is generally not recommended during pregnancy due to potential effects on fertility and uterine tissue. Avoid use in pregnancy unless specifically directed by a qualified healthcare provider.
- Blood sugar: Tulsi may lower blood sugar in some people. People taking diabetes medications should monitor closely if they add tulsi to their routine.
- Blood thinning medications: Tulsi may have mild blood-thinning effects and could interact with anticoagulant medications. Consult a healthcare provider if you take blood thinners.
- Surgery: Some sources recommend stopping tulsi at least two weeks before scheduled surgery due to its potential effect on blood sugar and blood clotting.
- Fertility: Some traditional sources suggest tulsi may have effects on male and female fertility. People actively trying to conceive may wish to avoid daily medicinal use.
Tulsi FAQs
Yes, tulsi flowers prolifically throughout the growing season. The flowers grow on tall slender spikes and range from pale lilac to deep purple depending on the variety. Krishna tulsi has the darkest purple flowers, while Rama tulsi has paler lavender flowers. Unlike sweet basil, tulsi keeps producing flavorful leaves even while flowering, so there’s no need to pinch off flowers to maintain leaf quality.
Yes, tulsi and holy basil are two names for the same plant (Ocimum tenuiflorum, also classified as O. sanctum). Tulsi is the traditional Sanskrit name used in Ayurvedic medicine, and holy basil is the common English name. Both names refer to the same species, which has several varieties including Rama, Krishna, and Vana tulsi.
Yes, tulsi grows readily as a year-round houseplant in any climate, provided it gets at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, indoor temperatures above 60°F, and consistent moderate watering. South-facing windows are ideal in the northern hemisphere, with supplemental grow lights useful in winter or at high latitudes where natural light is weak.
Tulsi is native to tropical and subtropical regions of India and Southeast Asia, where it grows wild and is widely cultivated. As a garden plant, it grows well in any temperate or tropical climate as a summer annual or year-round houseplant. The plant cannot survive frost, so it’s a true outdoor perennial only in USDA zones 10 and 11.
Tulsi plants typically reach 1 to 2 feet tall in temperate climates and as houseplants, though they can grow up to 4 to 5 feet tall in their native tropical conditions where summers are long and hot. Regular pinching keeps plants bushy and productive at any size, and trimming the main stem encourages branching for a fuller shape.
Tulsi seeds germinate in about 1 to 3 weeks at warm soil temperatures (70°F or above). Plants are ready for first harvest about 40 days after germination, with substantial harvests beginning when plants reach about a foot tall, usually 8 to 10 weeks from seed. Sow seeds indoors 6 to 12 weeks before your last spring frost for the longest possible season.
Tulsi grows best between 70 and 90°F (21 to 32°C) and slows dramatically below 60°F (15°C). The plant is killed by frost, so the minimum safe outdoor nighttime temperature is around 50°F (10°C). For indoor plants, normal household temperatures of 65 to 75°F are ideal.
Medicinal Herb Growing Guides
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How to Grow Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Ingredients
- Tulsi seeds, Ocimum tenuiflorum
- sterile seed-starting mix
- well-draining potting mix
- balanced organic fertilizer, 10-10-10
Instructions
- Sow tulsi seeds 6 to 12 weeks before your last spring frost. Press the seeds gently onto the surface of moist seed-starting mix and cover with just a thin sprinkle of soil, since tulsi seeds need light to germinate.
- Maintain soil temperature around 75 to 80°F using a seedling heat mat if your house runs cool. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and expect seedlings to emerge in 1 to 3 weeks.
- Once seedlings have several true leaves, provide bright light from a south-facing window or supplemental grow lights. Tulsi seedlings get leggy quickly under weak light, so don’t skimp on this step.
- Harden off the seedlings gradually over a week by exposing them to outdoor conditions for increasing periods. Transplant outdoors only when nighttime temperatures are reliably above 50°F, since tulsi is genuinely tender and will set back severely in cooler conditions.
- Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart in full sun with well-drained soil. Water in well after transplanting and keep the soil consistently moist for the first few weeks while the plants establish.
- Pinch the growing tips of each branch every few weeks during active growth to encourage bushy growth. The pinched tips are perfect for fresh tea or cooking and aren’t wasted.
- Begin harvesting when plants reach about a foot tall, usually 8 to 10 weeks from seed. Pinch off individual leaves or short branch tips as needed for tea or cooking, taking no more than about a third of the plant at a time during active growth.
- For the end-of-season harvest in cold climates, wait until just before the first frost, then cut the entire plant at ground level with sharp pruners. Tie the cut stems into small bundles and hang upside down in a warm, well-ventilated room to dry for 1 to 2 weeks.
- Once the leaves are completely crisp, strip them from the stems and store in sealed glass jars away from light. Properly dried tulsi keeps its flavor and aroma for at least a year.
Notes
Once you’ve got tulsi settled in the medicinal garden or on the windowsill, the next step is usually adding more adaptogens to your collection. Ashwagandha and astragalus are tulsi’s classic Ayurvedic companions, and our complete guide to medicinal plants covers more than 100 herbs you can grow or forage. For making your own preparations, the collection of herbal tincture recipes walks through more than 20 medicinal tinctures using techniques that work beautifully for tulsi.
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I did a lot of research and for a Tulsi 26 inches tall and 25 inches wide I used a 100 watt 350 micromole LED light and keep her 24 inches from her dome and the light penetrates to the lower leaves. They are developing better quality LED plant lights now at a cheaper price. I bought a 400 watt LED and my electric bill was too high. Depending on the size and number of your Tulsi plants you need to give light to will determine what size lamp you need. How close you keep Tulsi to the light is determined by if you want to germinate the seeds 24 to 30 inches; for seedlings 24 inches; for the vegetative stage 18 to 24 inches; for the flowering stage 18 inches. It’s not really too significant about how high your wattage is. It’s the micromole value. I would talk to an experienced horticulturalist for good advice. All the terms can be complicated to understand. I don’t advise buying off the internet unless they are the manufacturer. I paid only $16 for the above light in China, You do not need 12 to 16 hours for Tulsi to be under a plant light unless she is without any sunlight whatsoever. I give her 4 to 6 hours because I have only indirect sunlight on my balcony 5 months out of the year
I tried to grow Tulsa inside the apt. Its been three weeks already, nothing us happening,
Do you have a whole plant or are you trying to start it from seed?
Some information about growing Tulsi under lights indoors in UK during winter would be helpful.
I will have this problem next winter. I live in centre france. So I have browsed around and found LED horticulture lamps. They are not very expensive. I will start with 2 for 1 Tulsi, 3 citrusplants, 1 Begonia and maybe 1 or 2 more Herbalife plants. I will put the plants together on one table in matching pots for hubby’s eyes. I think that it will be much better than last winters.
You would simply follow all of the recommendations in the article for growing tusli. If you plan to use a grow light, just be sure to give them 4 to 6 hours each day.
Thanks for the great info! I have a question that hopefully you can help me with. I receieved a Krishna Tulsi from a family member when it was very small and it has grown to about 2ft at this point. However it has not branched outward and I realize this is because I have not been pruning it. It is just one long stem and starting to droop at the top. What would be the best way to prun it to promote outward growth without killing it? I’m afraid if I prun it at the top now, it will become even more top heavy and continue to fall or that I could kill it all together!
Any suggestions?
Generally just removing the blooms will encourage it to bush out more, especially when its’s young. Try that and see how it goes.
If Tulsi is getting too tall and leggy where she is falling over, it might be because she is not getting enough sunlight. I recommend a plant light if you can’t give her 4 to 6 hours of sunlight a day. I only get good sunlight for 7 months out of the year; therefore I turned to using a plant light . Also it is good that you turn Tulsi to face the sun if part of her remains in shade throughout the day. It is a bit complicated to determine what kind of plant light you need and the specifications required. Don’t think that the higher wattage you get the better. You will have a huge electric bill. I would consult the manufacturer to advise you. As long as your plant light penetrates the canopy and reaches your lower leaves it will be good. I recommend a full spectrum LED plant light. It’s a little difficult to understand if you research online about all the light specifications. Also, when your Tulsi reaches 8 inches in height you must cut her main branch back to where new leaves are beginning to sprout. That way you will allow her to grow out and bushier and not get too tall with a sparse amount of dense foliage. The rule of the thumb is when you trim her down , she will then branch out instead of only up
All Plants Images and Information very nice i like it all plant so beautiful. Beyond tea, tulsi is traditionally used as a spice and it’s sprinkled on foods to enhance the flavor in much the same way that pepper or Italian basil is used. Very Nice Part And Picture.
Whenever it is mentioned something regarding the temperature,it is not clearly stated whether it is in celcius or fahrenhiet scale??????
Fahrenheit.
How can I grow Tulsi inside house with very less sunlight?
I stay in Seattle so I don’t think sunlight will always be there.
Can I use UV lights or something?
In that case, yes, I’d suggest adding grow lights.
I use a 600 watt full spectrum LED plant light for 3 Tulsi’s, How many hours a day do I need to have it on. All over internet they say 12 to 16 hours. That’s a big electric bill. Please advise. Thank you for your support
Sincerely.
David
Honestly, I don’t use lights at all, our solar electric system really couldn’t support it, so I don’t have any solid advice for you in terms of grow lights.
Thanks so much for your informative and helpful post, Ashley. With harvesting, you mentioned gently harvesting by single leaf or branches. Do you recommend one over the other? Single leaf would obviously be more gentle than branch harvesting. If so, how do you recommend drying for tea when harvesting by picking single leaf?
Also, do they have a soil moisture preference? Moist? Prefer to be completely dry before watering? Other preference?
Thanks so much!
When we make tea during the summer months, we harvest by single leaf and just make it fresh. You can lay the leaves on a drying screen and dry them that way too. At the end of the season, we cut the plants off at ground level (since they won’t overwinter here in zone 4) and tie them in bundles to hang to dry.
Ours have always grown well in relatively dry soil (for Vermont, things are wet here!). Our greenhouse soil was peat/sand/compost and very well-drained, and they did well even when it dried out completely on occasion. In the garden, they’ve done well in the ground, which has clay soil or in raised planters with that same peat/sand/compost mix. They seem to be pretty adaptable, but they do better than most things with low water.
Thank you for sharing. This is great information. Do you harvest and hang to dry for the tea, or is tea made with fresh harvested leaves?
Yes, I harvest them and hang the bunches to dry for tea. You can also make a tea with the fresh leaves right out of the garden, and in the summertime, it makes a great fresh sun tea.
Very detailed information. Liked it
The challenge I am facing is to find a ready authetic Tulsi ready plants of each of above three… the holy green, purple (krishna), rama and vana kinds
If any one have an idea if I can get the ready plants then please share the details. I tried sowing seeds of holy basil, but either they never germinate or die after few weeks.
I am located in California (hardness zone 9)
Thanks
Deepak
I’m sorry I don’t know much about growing in zone 9. We’re in zone 4, which has very different seasons. If you’re looking for a good seed source, strictly medicinal seeds has an excellent selection by variety.
Namaste Deepak’s, I have seeds for Rama & Krishna that generally germinate as I have shared with much success, I will be happy to share if you like, I am hesitant sharing a plant as tulsi is very sensitive to being moved around. From my experience, seeds from India will germinate and than not survive in case your seeds are from India which you maybe experiencing.
Sorry JR, seeing your comment very late; Thanks for offering to share seeds. I will like to get those. Let me know your email contact and i will message you
Thanks
Hi JR and Deepak, Did you ever get connected regarding seed sharing? I would very much appreciate being able to get a few seeds of the different varieties as well. Thank you very much.
Would you be able to share the Rama and Krishna seeds still?
Hello,
When we grow Tulasi from cutting, can we leave it in the water without transferring to soil? like some plants that grow in water?
Yes, that should work pretty well so long as you keep the water clean. I haven’t tried to culture one exclusively in water, but I believe it would work.
I plan to try growing some Kapoor tulsi in leca; in my indoor cabinet greenhouse; as long as I add fertilizer to the water, it should work well. Any thoughts or experience on this growing method?
I am not familiar with this particular method but as long as all of the plants needs are met you should be fine.
Thank you very much for very informative piece of writing for growing Tulsi indoor or out side. I did know about Ram Tulsi and Krishna/Shyam(black) Tulsi but not the Vana Tulsi.
Appreciate the detailed inputs Ashely. My Tulsi didnt survive this canadian winter. I will try your ideas next summer.
Many Thanks!
Thank you for detail information …
Thanks for this wonderful and insightful posting
Excellent detailed instructions- thanks