Basil Thai Large Leaf
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Description
Thai Basil 'Large Leaf' Seeds (Bai Horapa)
If you want your homemade Thai Green Curry to taste like it came from a street stall in Bangkok, you need this herb. 'Large Leaf' is the authentic *Bai Horapa* variety, prized for its vigorous growth and generous production of shiny, pointed leaves.
The flavour is distinct from Italian basil: it is sweeter, sturdier, and packed with a spicy, aniseed-liquorice punch that holds up to heat. With its attractive purple stems and pink-purple flowers, it is beautiful enough for a patio pot but productive enough to keep your kitchen stocked all summer.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Thai Basil is a Tender Annual.
It originates from the tropics, so it craves heat. It has tougher, more robust leaves than Genovese basil, meaning it can be cooked into curries and stir-fries without dissolving into mush.
The "Horapa": In Thai cooking, there are three main basils. This is *Horapa* (Sweet Thai Basil), used in curries. It is different from *Kaprao* (Holy Basil) used in stir-fries, and *Maenglak* (Lemon Basil) used in soups.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
This is a heat-loving plant. Treat it like a sunbather!
Germination:
Sow indoors from March to May. Scatter seeds on the surface of moist compost and cover very lightly with vermiculite (they need light to germinate). Keep warm (20°C+). Germination takes 7-14 days.
Where to Sow:
Plant out only when all risk of frost has passed (June). It needs a hot, sunny spot. It thrives in a greenhouse, polytunnel, or a sunny windowsill. It hates cold, wet feet.
Care While Growing:
Pinch: This is crucial. When the plant is 15cm tall, pinch out the top tip. This forces side shoots to grow, turning one skinny stem into a bushy plant with double the leaves.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora |
| Common Name | Thai Basil 'Large Leaf' |
| Hardiness | H1c (Tender - needs heat) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 40cm - 50cm |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 25cm apart |
| Great for | 🍛 Green/Red Curries 🍜 Pho Soup 🐝 Pollinators 🏺 Window Boxes |
| Seed Count | Approx. 300 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
Grow a complete Thai kitchen garden in a container:
- 🌶️ Chillies: The Spicy Pair. Thai Basil and Chillies are best friends in the pot and on the plate. They both love baking hot sun and regular feeding.
- 🌿 Coriander: The Garnish Team. While Coriander prefers it a bit cooler (give it some shade from the basil!), growing them nearby ensures you have both essential Asian herbs ready to harvest at once.
📅 Sowing & Harvesting Calendar
Sow indoors Spring. Harvest Summer to Autumn.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||||
| Harvest | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ |
⚠️ Cooking Tip
Unlike sweet Italian basil which is added at the end, Thai Basil is sturdy enough to be cooked. Add it at the start of a curry to infuse the sauce, then add fresh leaves at the end for a burst of aroma.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
Both the leaves and the flowers are edible. The small purple flowers have a more intense aniseed flavour than the leaves and make a beautiful, spicy garnish for salads.
Delivery & Returns
Delivery:
Delivery to mainland UK is calculated at checkout. For all other areas and large orders please ask for a quote. Orders will be sent by express next day delivery (DPD). They will be dispatched on a next working day service, with the exception of Ireland where it may take two days. Please allow up to 48 hours for delivery in the UK as the couriers may have already been and collected on the day you send your order in. Smaller orders for pouches, pockets, bags and pots may be sent via Royal Mail delivery. Please ensure you supply an email address and a mobile so you can be updated about your delivery. Should you have any problems with your delivery, please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk.Special Deliveries
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.
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Gardening organically is a more affordable and long term alternative to using chemical fertilisers. Natural Grower products eliminate waste because the nutrients are slowly released to the plants as they need them. Over the long-term you save money because your soil health naturally improves, which in turn produces healthier, stronger, disease resistant plants. Chemical products may cost less financially in the short term, but they don’t provide any long-term benefits and the damage they do to the natural eco-system in the soil is costly.
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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The organic matter in Natural Grower will help keep your soil or compost in optimum condition, retain moisture over the dry summer months and improve the health and structure of your soil. The presence of natural Mycorrhizal fungi in our products enhances root growth, enabling plants to extract nutrients and absorb water more efficiently from the soil or compost. By using our products you will be supporting and enhancing the natural eco-system in the soil.
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