Woody > Ocimum > Ocimum tenuiflorum > Ocimum tenuiflorum
Ocimum tenuiflorum
Tulsi Basil, Holy Basil
Origin: The plant is native to the Indian subcontinent and ranges to southeast Asia.
Mike's
Opinion
"
Holy Basil, known as Tulsi, plays religious significance as the plant is considered sacred. It is worshipped as a symbol of the goddess Tulasi in a sanctorum of its own in traditional Hindu temples. It is commonly grown in Hindu households, and its leaves are used in religious rituals.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Lamiaceae |
| Genus |
| Ocimum |
| Species |
| tenuiflorum |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Shrub (deciduous) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 9 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| Greater than 9a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H3 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| 24 - 28 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 72.5 - 82.4 |
| Height |
| 0.3 - 1 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| An erect, multibranched perennial plant with hairy stems; usually found to be between 30cm-110cm tall. Holy Basil (Tulsi) is an aromatic medicinal plant. Tulsi is a Sanskrit word which means ‘matchless one’. |
| Landscape |
| Incorporate groups of Tulsi plants are placed in circles or rows to create a calm and spiritually stimulating atmosphere. With its aromatic leaves and lovely appearance, Tulsi brings a touch of beauty and serenity. It can create an aesthetically pleasing and aromatic landscape by incorporating it into different garden designs. Holy Basil is used as a culinary herb and is known for its distinctive peppery flavor. It is used in various dishes in Indian, Nepali and Thai cuisine. |
| Cultivation |
| O. tenuiflorum requires well-drained soil with a pH of 6-7 and a high nutrient content. If growing in a pot, use premium soil known as "Fox farm soil". Plants shouldn't grow in medium soil that retains a lot of water. Water plants once or twice a day in excessively hot weather. 6–8 hours of full sun each day. Plants are very susceptible to cold. |
| Shape |
| It has an upright shape. As it develops through its life cycle, from seedling to flowering and seed formation, its shape can vary over time. |
| Growth |
| Fast |
| ID Characteristic |
| It can be identified by its aromatic leaves. When crushed, the leaves release a pleasant scent. Generally, it has a compact and bushy appearance with multiple stems, especially with frequent pruning. More robust growth and branching can be promoted by pinching back the growing tips. It is a fast growing plant. |
| Pests |
| One typical basil pest is the aphid. These tiny, soft-bodied insects attach themselves to the basil plant's stem and the underside of leaves in order to draw out the sap. They cover the plant with a sticky substance called honeydew, which draws ants and sooty mold to cause more harm. Insecticides can be used to control it. Aphids can be effectively controlled with neem oil and insecticidal soap. |
| Habitat |
| It generally prefers well drained soil and a warm, tropical to subtropical climate. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Typically green in colour at younger ages. As its stem grows up, the colour slightly changes from brown to red and begins to develop more hair. With increasing age, the stems lignify from the base. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| The leaf buds may only be a few centimetres in size during the first growth phase, and they are frequently harvested for culinary or medicinal purposes at this time. As the plant grows, its leaves get bigger and its buds can get as big as several centimetres or a few inches, depending on the variety, growth environment, and care provided to the plant. |
| Leaf Description |
| The leaves are green-yellow and ovate with serrated edges, arranged in pairs opposite to each other on the stems. |
| Flower Description |
| Depending upon variety, the colour of the flower can vary from white to pink/purple. For attracting pollinators, flowers grow on an inflorescence and are arranged in a spike. They are very small in size. Flowering season takes place between June and September. |
| Fruit Description |
| Fruits yield a large number of seeds and are nutlets. Each nut is brown to almost black in colour. |
| Propagation |
| Simple to propagate from seed, but premium seed is required. Start the seed by moistening it and sowing it 1 cm deep in seed starting mix; normal pots can also be used instead of seed-starting mix. Make sure seed propagation is done in a well-ventilated space to avoid damping off. High humidity and warm weather are ideal conditions for seed lore. It takes one to two weeks for the seed to sprout. For proper growth, seedlings require a lot of light; otherwise, they will become spindly. It is recommended that seedlings be transplanted to a garden or container at the age of five weeks. Compared to seed propagation, cutting is simpler. First, locate a stem that is at least 4–6 inches tall and devoid of any blossom buds. Place the cutting in a glass of water and keep it away from exposure to sunlight. Moreover, remember to change the water every two to three days. You will have a fully rooted holy basal cutting after at least two weeks. Transplantation of cutting is the harvest portion since they can die if not properly acclimated. Cuttings need not to be immediately hardened off after planting. Cut in the dark for a minimum of 24 to 48 hours after transplanting. Keep rooted cuttings out of the harvest weather all at once. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| Tulsi is valued for its potential wellness properties and has a long history of traditional use; ongoing scientific research is being done to support these claims. Recent biochemical and physiological studies indicate that this plant has anti-diabetic, antimicrobial, anticancer, adaptogenic, and radioprotective properties. It is used in the treatment of fever and common cold. It is also used for reducing stress and has a blood purifying activity. Its leaves are also used for making tea. |
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