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Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy basil)

Other names: Monk's basil, Purple-stalked basil, Sacred basil, Thai basil, Tulsi, Ocimum basilicum 'Holy Tulsi', Ocimum basilicum 'Holy Basil', Ocimum basilicum 'Holy', Ocimum monachorum, Ocimum sanctum, Geniosporum tenuiflorum, Lumnitzera tenuiflora, Moschosma tenuiflorum

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Species
O. tenuiflorum is a tender, compact, upright, bushy, deciduous perennial or subshrub, often grown as an annual, with edible, strongly aromatic, ovate, toothed, purple-flushed, mid- to bright green leaves and spike-like whorls of pink flowers in summer.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
1 m 1 m 1-2 years
3 ft 3 ft 1-2 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
  • Clay
Soil drainage
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Plant as an annual in light, well-drained, fertile soil in a sunny, sheltered site. Ideally grown in a container or pot. Water freely in summer. Can be grown as a short-lived subshrub if overwintered indoors.

Suggested uses

Containers/Patio, Flavouring food and drinks, Add to salads, Mediterranean, Conservatory, Greenhouse

UK hardiness

H1c

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 11

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright, Compact, Clump-forming

Native to

Southern Asia, Southeastern Asia

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

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

Propagation methods

Seed

Propagation

Sow seed at 13C (55F) in early spring. Sow in situ in early summer.

Pests

Aphids

Leafhoppers

Diseases

Powdery mildew

Cut back after flowering in early autumn (optional)

Water regularly through dry periods

If growing for food, pinch out tips to prevent flowering and encourage leaf growth

Plant container grown plants in a sunny sheltered spot

Remove annuals at end of flowering season (optional)

Bring tender indoors if container grown (in cold areas)

Plant in moist but well-drained soil (spring)

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (24)

Ocimum

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Ocimum basilicum
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Ocimum basilicum Sweet basil
Ocimum basilcum purpurea
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Ocimum basilcum purpurea Purple basil
Ocimum basilicum 'Magic Mountain'
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Ocimum basilicum 'Magic Mountain' Sweet basil 'Magic Mountain'
Ocimum basilicum 'Magical Michael'
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Ocimum basilicum 'Magical Michael' Sweet basil 'Magical Michael'
Ocimum basilicum 'Neapolitan'
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Ocimum basilicum 'Neapolitan' Basil 'Neapolitan'
Ocimum basilicum 'Mrs Burns' Lemon'
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Ocimum basilicum 'Mrs Burns' Lemon' Basil 'Mrs Burns' Lemon'
Ocimum basilicum 'Siam Queen'
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Ocimum basilicum 'Siam Queen' Basil 'Siam Queen'
Ocimum minimum
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Ocimum minimum Bush basil
Ocimum basilicum var. purpurascens
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Ocimum basilicum var. purpurascens Purple basil
Ocimum 'African Blue'
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Ocimum 'African Blue' Basil 'African Blue'
Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon'
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Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' Sweet basil 'Cinnamon'
Ocimum basilicum 'Foglia di Lattuga'
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Ocimum basilicum 'Foglia di Lattuga' Sweet basil 'Foglia di Lattuga'
Ocimum basilicum 'Horapha'
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Ocimum basilicum 'Horapha' Thai basil
Ocimum basilicum 'Sweet Green'
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Ocimum basilicum 'Sweet Green' Basil 'Sweet Green'
Ocimum basilicum 'Dark Opal'
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Ocimum basilicum 'Dark Opal' Basil 'Dark Opal'
Ocimum basilicum 'British Basil'
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Ocimum basilicum 'British Basil' Basil 'British Basil'
Ocimum 'Lemonade'
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Ocimum 'Lemonade' Basil 'Lemonade'
Ocimum basilicum 'Sweet Genovese'
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Ocimum basilicum 'Sweet Genovese' Basil 'Sweet Genovese'
Ocimum basilicum 'Aroma 2'
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Ocimum basilicum 'Aroma 2' Sweet basil 'Aroma 2'
Ocimum basilicum 'Bruschetta'
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Ocimum basilicum 'Bruschetta' Sweet basil 'Bruschetta'
Ocimum basilicum 'Aromatto'
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Ocimum basilicum 'Aromatto' Basil 'Aromatto'
Ocimum basilicum 'Batik'
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Ocimum basilicum 'Batik' Thai basil 'Batik'
Ocimum tenuiflorum
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Ocimum tenuiflorum Holy basil
Ocimum basilicum 'Pistou'
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Ocimum basilicum 'Pistou' Sweet basil 'Pistou'
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