Basil Holy Thai
Basil Holy Thai
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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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