Holy Basil Tulsi [Ocimum tenuifolium syn. sanctum]

The perennial holy basil 'Tulsi' is a very old Ayurvedic spice and medicinal plant that has many different healing properties. Sweet taste with an aroma reminiscent of cloves. Known as a spice for various curries. Ideal for direct sowing, pot cultivation possible, sowing spring-summer, good for mixed culture, harvesting the flowers and leaves.

 Description 
The holy basil 'Tulsi' is a perennial and very old holy Ayurvedic spice and medicinal plant that is planted and worshipped around the temples in India. The leaves are used primarily as a tea against all weaknesses in the digestive tract, to protect the immune system, against stress, for internal heat treatment and to lower cholesterol levels. The aroma is rather sweet for a basil plant and is somewhat reminiscent of cloves. Tulsi is also known in Thai cuisine as a spice for various curries. In Germany it is also known by its Turkish name Reyhan.

 General information 
Plant family: Lamiaceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 70 days
Plant height approx.: 50 cm
Root type: Heart rooter
Nutrient requirements: Medium
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to 3°C
Location: Sunny until semi shady
Soil: Permeable, slightly loamy, humus

pH value: 6.5 to 7.5

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 18-24 °C
Germination time: 5-10 days
Plant and row spacing: 25x30 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 10 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Fennel, Pumpkin plants, Chard, Tomato, Apricot, Marigold, Lilies, Asparagus
Unfavorable mixed culture: Savory, Lemon balm, Sage, Thyme, Rue, Wormwood, Yarrow

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Direct sowing from March to September is recommended. The ideal location for the plants is warm and sunny to partially shaded.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Direct sowing from May to July is recommended. The ideal location for the plants is warm and sunny.

 General recommendations 
Direct sowing in rows is recommended. After germination, thin out the plants to the specified plant spacing. Pre-cultivation in pots is also advisable.
Holy basil 'Tulsi' ideally prefers a soil that is moist, nutrient-rich, permeable, contains some clay and a lot of humus. It does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
Cut the shoot tips to encourage branching and the emergence of new shoots. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, it is recommended to also incorporate biochar and primary rock flour.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
To encourage bushy growth, older shoots and shoot tips should be cut off from time to time. For perennial cultivation, fertilization once in the spring of the year is recommended.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Ocimum tenuifolium syn. sanctum
English names: Holy Basil 
German names: Heiliges Basilikum
Portuguese names: Santo manjericão 
Spanish names: Albahaca sagrada, Albahaca santa
French names: Basilic Saint

 Origin 
Country: Portugal