Basil Holy Thai
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Description
Holy Basil Seeds (Tulsi / Thai Kaprao)
Many gardeners buy "Thai Basil" expecting this plant, only to get the aniseed-flavoured variety used in curries. This is the real deal: Holy Basil (known as *Kaprao* in Thailand and *Tulsi* in India).
Unlike sweet basils, Holy Basil has a musky, hot, peppery flavour with strong notes of clove and camphor. It is the only herb to use for the famous Thai stir-fry *Pad Kra Pao*. In India, it is worshipped as a sacred plant and brewed into a healing tea to reduce stress. With its serrated leaves and hairy purple stems, it is a plant with serious character and history.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Holy Basil (*Ocimum tenuiflorum* / *sanctum*) is a Tropical Perennial grown as an annual in the UK.
The "Kaprao" vs "Horapa" Confusion:
Sweet Thai Basil (Horapa): Glossy leaves, aniseed flavour. Used in Green Curry.
Holy Basil (Kaprao/This Seed): Hairy/jagged leaves, peppery/clove flavour. Used in Stir-fries.
It grows slower than Italian basil and needs more heat, but the flavour is much more intense.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Holy Basil is a tropical plant. It craves heat and hates damp, cold soil.
Germination:
Sow indoors later than other basils, from April to May. It needs high temperatures (22-25°C) to germinate. Sow on the surface of moist compost and cover lightly with vermiculite (light helps germination). Be patient; it can take 14-21 days.
Where to Sow:
Keep it in a greenhouse, conservatory, or sunny windowsill. In the UK, it rarely does well outside unless we have a heatwave. It loves humidity.
Care While Growing:
Pinch: It naturally wants to flower quickly. Pinch out the flower spikes as soon as you see them to keep the plant producing leaves. Keep the soil just moist, not soggy.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Ocimum tenuiflorum (syn. O. sanctum) |
| Common Name | Holy Basil / Tulsi / Kaprao |
| Hardiness | H1c (Very Tender - needs 15°C+) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 30cm - 45cm |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 25cm apart |
| Great for | 🔥 Thai Stir Fries ☕ Medicinal Tea 🐝 Pollinators 🏡 Indoor Herb Garden |
| Seed Count | Approx. 100 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
This spicy herb pairs well with other heat-loving plants:
- 🌶️ Chillies: The Pad Kra Pao Bed. Holy Basil and Bird's Eye Chillies are the two key ingredients in Thailand's most popular street food. Grow them together in your greenhouse for a complete meal in a pot.
- 🥒 Cucumbers: The Jungle Friends. Both plants love high humidity and warmth. Growing basil near cucumbers can help attract pollinators to the cucumber flowers.
📅 Sowing & Harvesting Calendar
Sow indoors Late Spring. Harvest Summer to Autumn.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | ||||||||||
| Harvest | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ |
⚠️ How to use
Holy Basil is robust. Unlike Italian basil, it stands up to high heat. Throw a handful of leaves into your wok at the very last second of stir-frying to release the incredible peppery oils.
🏆 The Wellness Herb
As Tulsi, this herb is an adaptogen used in Ayurvedic medicine. Steep the fresh or dried leaves in hot water for a restorative tea believed to reduce stress and boost immunity.
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Saturday or weekday morning deliveries can be arranged, but there will be a surcharge. Please contact us to request a price for either of these delivery services. If you need a parcel sending outside of the UK, please contact us for a quote.Returns:
If you are not completely happy with any product that you have ordered from us, you may return it to us in its original condition any time within 14 calendar days from the date of dispatch. Products must be returned in their original condition. Please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk to arrange a return. If you return a product by post, you will need to pay the costs of returning the product to us and obtain proof of posting.Be a smarter gardener
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Slow release for sustained growth
Organic fertilisers are broken down slowly by organisms in the soil to produce a more measured, consistent, natural release of nutrients. This results in uniform growth with strong stems and leaves, unlike chemical fertilisers which provide a sudden boost resulting in tall lanky plants. Stronger plants are more resistant to disease, and with the presence of mycorrizhal fungi to strengthen the roots, the plants, soil and fungi all work together long-term to create the perfect natural eco-system.
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