Holy Basil

Holy Basil — variety description

Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) is an annual herb of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). This is a perennial basil shrub originating from India, the main species grown there.

The plants are purple, with stems and green leaves sometimes tinged purple, up to 120 cm in size. with reddish-purple flowers.

A strongly aromatic plant with a high content of eugenol and rosmarinic acid.

Its traditional use is against stress, anxiety, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and dementia.

Drinking tulsi tea in the morning is a fantastic way to start.

Holy basil is also high in antioxidants and helps your body detoxify.

It protects against infections and shortens wound-healing time. It lowers blood sugar and cholesterol, and reduces joint pain.

Basil is the king of aromatic herbs — for tomato salad, pesto, pasta and pizza. It grows easily in the garden, in a pot and on a windowsill.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 81%
• Seeds per packet: 425–575 pcs (0.2 g)
• Seed origin: India
• Sowing: March and April; transplants or direct
• Flowering: June – September
• Harvest: May – July
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Holy Basil

Holy Basil seeds are sown in March and April. The plants flower from June to September. The crop is harvested from May to July. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Holy Basil

• Sowing method: seedlings or direct
• Depth: 0.3–0.5 cm
• Spacing: 20–30 cm
• Germination: 5–10 days at 20–25 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Sow holy basil seeds in spring. To sow the seeds outdoors, it is best to wait until mid-March for direct sowing, when temperatures rise. Another option is to sow the basil seeds indoors in pots in January - February. The pre-prepared seedlings can then be transplanted outdoors in March, once the danger of frosts has passed. Flowering period: June, July, August and September are the months in which basil can be seen in flower. Basil is a warmth-loving herb that is not winter-hardy.

Sow in warm soil — below 12 °C basil stops growing. Pinch out the tips so it branches, and remove flowers for more leaves.

Harvest and use

Pick the leaves before flowering — the aroma is strongest then. Cut above a pair of leaves so that new shoots form.

Frequently asked questions

When should Holy Basil be sown?

The recommended sowing months are March and April. Sowing method: seedlings or direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 425–575 seeds, pack size 0.2 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 81%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

Can basil be grown on a windowsill?

Yes — on a sunny window, in a pot with drainage, with regular but moderate watering.

Why does basil turn black?

From cold below 10 °C or from overwatering. Only take it outside after mid-May.