Ocimum tenuiflorum

RHS Plant Profile
holy basil

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Other common names

monk's basil, purple-stalked basil, sacred basil, Thai basil, tulsi

Synonyms

Ocimum basilicum 'Holy Tulsi'
Ocimum basilicum 'Holy Basil'
Ocimum basilicum 'Holy'
Ocimum monachorum
Ocimum sanctum

Annual Biennial Herbs - Culinary
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A small, upright, bushy variety with highly aromatic, purple-green, serrated leaves that are used in culinary dishes, as well as medicinally. Attractive spikes of pink flowers appear in summer.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1C

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Ocimum can be aromatic annuals, evergreen perennials or shrubs with opposite, linear to broadly-ovate leaves and small tubular white or pinkish flowers in whorls forming a spike
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow as an annual, indoors, in moist but well drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun. Can move outdoors in summer. Best grown in a container. See basil cultivation for more information

Propagation

Propagate by seed in gentle heat in spring under glass or indoors

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Pinch out flower heads as they appear to encourage continued leaf growth. If left to flower, cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and leafhoopers

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews