Tulsi: How to Grow and Use Holy Basil

Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum/Ocimum sanctum), or Holy basil, is a type of basil and a member of the Lamiaceae family. It is native to southern India and is commonly grown all over tropical Asia.

This type of basil is actually a tropical perennial but can be grown as an annual in temperate climates. It has all the wonderful properties of the more common sweet basil and more. It can be used culinarily but is most often found in herbal tea blends.

Tulsi has the typical square stem that many plants from the Lamiaceae family have, flowers spikes very similar to other types of basil, and opposite leaves.

Just like regular basil, it is super easy to grow and can provide you and your garden with many benefits.

Source: Morag Gamble : Our Permaculture Life/YouTube

Different Types of Tulsi

There are actually a number of varieties of tulsi. You might find seed packets containing Krishna, Rama or Kapoor tulsi. On the whole, they have similar properties, but you might want to research each one individually for the specific medicinal properties or flavors that you are looking for.

Generally, in the USA, you are likely to find Kapoor tulsi seeds for sale. This is the variety that is more commonly cultivated here and is thought to be a little more cool tolerant, though it will definitely not survive frosts.

Kapoor tulsi has that distinct basil aroma, but it is blended with floral and warm, spicy, sugary notes.

How to Grow Tulsi

Like with any type of basil, the quickest way to get yourself started is to find a friend with a plant. Take a green cutting from their plant and remove all but the top leaves. Clip the cutting just below a node, leaving about a 4-inch stem, then pop it in a jar of water. You will soon see roots forming. Once there is a good set of roots, you can plant the cutting out in your garden or in a pot.

Alternatively, you can grow it from seed. Again, as is the case with basil, it germinates readily as long as it has a warm place to get started.

If you live in a temperate climate, start your tulsi seeds indoors about 8-10 weeks before the last frost date, then plant your seedling out once temperatures are constantly above 70°F. You can also direct sow tulsi seeds several weeks after the last frost date.

Tulsi seeds are tiny, so you can sprinkle a few across the surface of the soil or potting mix and cover them in about 1/4 inch of soil. Keep the soil damp until germination occurs. Then, keep the soil moist, but not water-logged for mature plants.

Tulsi is a heat-loving plant, so make sure you plant it in a spot that gets full sun. Tuli is a prolific bloomer. It is beloved by local pollinators and is truly a gorgeous plant to have in your garden.

Tulsi is not frost tolerant, so if you live in zone 9 or lower, you will grow tulsi as an annual. Note—it might be an annual, but it’s a prolific self-seeder. Be ready for volunteers for years to come if you don’t deadhead those spent flowers. This could be a disaster or a wonderful blessing depending on your take!

Culinary and Medicinal Uses

Tulsi has long been used medicinally in Ayurvedic and other traditional practices. It is thought to be naturally anti-inflammatory, helping to relieve joint pain, and is also antibacterial and antifungal. It is often used to help calm nerves and reduce symptoms of anxiety.

The most common way to introduce tulsi to your diet is to drink it as a tea. The leaves can be dried and used in tea blends, or a few leaves can be plucked from the plant and steeped in hot water for 10-15 minutes. Fresh leaves do not have the same intensity of flavor as dried leaves, so you might need more fresh leaves to gain a comparable flavor. About a tablespoon of dried leaves per cup of hot water is a good balance.

As well, a fresh sprig of tulsi can be added to cold water and sipped on a hot summer’s day.

Tulsi can be used culinarily, but it has a much more intense flavor than the typical Italian basil. So, if you were to make a pesto, for example, it would be better to blend the tulsi leaves with other herbs to even out the flavor.

This article is for informational purposes only. You should always consult a medical professional before using herbs medicinally especially if you are taking pharmaceutical medicines or are pregnant. 

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