Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the windowsill, or anywhere else, tulsi is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing tulsi, also called holy basil.
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Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Tulsi Belong To?
Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) belongs to the Lamiaceae family, also known as the mint family.
Some of its relatives include basil, oregano, and sage.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Tulsi?
The minimum container depth recommended for tulsi is 6 inches.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Tulsi?
Some of tulsi's best companions are as follows:
- Cilantro
- Mints like peppermint
- Lemongrass
- Onion
- Garlic
- Leek
- Shallot
- Ramps
- Chives
- Potato, as it repels potato bug
- Tomato
- Tomatillo
- Dill
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Peppers such as bell pepper and jalapeño
- Asparagus
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Tulsi?
Tulsi is not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with tulsi are as follows:
What Soil Conditions Does Tulsi Need?
Tulsi prefers rich, well-draining, loamy or sandy soil.
How Long Does Tulsi Take to Germinate?
Tulsi takes 10-20 days to germinate at a temperature of 70-85°F.
How Much Sun Does Tulsi Need?
Tulsi grows best in full sun, but it usually tolerates dappled shade, especially in hot climates.
Sun recommendations can vary by region. Tulsi grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need more shade.
How Much Water Does Tulsi Need?
Tulsi needs 1 inch of water per week.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Tulsi?
Tulsi grows fastest in temperatures of 65-95°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety. Some tulsi varieties are bred for later harvests and others for warmer climates.
How Tall Does Tulsi Get?
The average height of tulsi is 1-3 feet.
Is Tulsi Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Tulsi is a perennial herb, meaning that it lives for longer than a couple years, when grown in Hardiness Zones 10-11 or when brought inside for the winter. It can live for 8-10 years in optimal conditions.
In cooler regions, tulsi is grown as an annual, meaning that it starts and ends its life in the same year.
Check out this article to learn more about USDA hardiness zones.
How Does Tulsi Reproduce?
Tulsi reproduces by seed.
How Much Tulsi is Produced Per Plant?
For tulsi, how much is produced per plant (also called the yield) depends on the type, variety, age, size, and growing conditions.
Most tulsi plants in optimal conditions yield about 7 leaves per plant.
Once mature, they will keep producing leaves to replace those that are picked. So you can increase your harvest by picking leaves as soon as they are ready.
Can Tulsi Be Ingested?
Tulsi leaves, stems, and flowers are edible.
Tulsi leaves, stems, and flowers have nervine and antispasmodic properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea and tinctures. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:2 at 40% alcohol is suggested for a tulsi tincture.
There are no known safety concerns for the general public associated with ingesting tulsi leaves.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of tulsi rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for tulsi here!
Tulsi is featured in these Plant to Plate articles: