I first discovered tulsi, or holy basil, early on in my container gardening journey in about 2018. I was taking a class about medicinal herbs that could be grown in urban environments and the naturalist teaching the class gave us each a small holy basil plant to cultivate that summer. He shared the Rama variety of holy basil, which is easy to grow, very fragrant and sweet smelling, and has pretty lavender-purple flowers. It also produces a lot of tiny black seeds by the end of the summer, which I have saved every year since and regrown as new plants in my container garden.
What is holy basil?
There are a few varieties of holy basil, also known as tulsi (scientific name ocimum tenuiflorum): Rama, Krishna, and Vana are all varieties I've tried in my container garden. Each variety has a slightly different flavor profile, leaf shape and color of flower. The original type that I was given, Rama, which I continue to save seeds from each year, is by far my favorite to grow, but all are pretty and fragrant in their own way.
Holy basil is very closely related to the typical basil varieties that are more commonly known and used for culinary purposes, such as Genovese basil, which is used in pestos and pastas.
Holy basil originated in India where it has been cultivated for generations for its medicinal properties. Tulsi is also considered the most sacred plant in Hinduism. It's believed to attract positive energy, bring blessings, and foster a closer connection to God; in Hindu traditions, it also plays a vital role in special ceremonies, including marriages to the diety Vishnu (Source: Times of India).
How to use holy basil
Tulsi is commonly used as a tea and enjoyed for its medicinal benefits. Western scientific studies have shown that it is an antioxidant that can lower blood sugar, improve cholesterol, improve blood pressure, and decrease inflammation. It is also adaptogenic which means it can help relieve stress, anxiety and fatigue. Some researchers also say it could have benefits to boost immunity and reduce infections (Source: Cleveland Clinic).
I have found that using it in tea (either fresh or dried) is the best way to enjoy holy basil. You can eat the leaves if you want (and I have tried one on occasion), but the flavor is very strong. In addition to using it for tea, I just enjoy its positive and uplifting fragrance in the garden, and its purple flowers are very pretty in summer flower bouquets. I recommend trying a few different varieties of holy basil to find that variety that you like best in terms of both flavor and aesthetics.
To make a holy basil tea, simply pour boiling water over a sprig (5-6 leaves) of freshly picked holy basil, or about 1 Tbsp of dried and crushed holy basil. I like to add a bit of local honey. Enjoy! It's also delicious iced, and mixed with lemonade.
Growing holy basil in a container garden
I find that holy basil is a very easy plant to grow in a container garden. In zone 5, where I live, I usually start my holy basil plants indoors about 4-6 weeks before I will want to transplant them outside. I always wait until at least a few weeks after the frost date to put them outside, when the days are regularly 18c/65F or warmer, and when nighttime temperatures aren't dipping below 10c/50F. (Generally speaking, about the same time you would put tomatoes outdoors, too). The plants usually take a little bit of time to get settled into their new homes outdoors and then take off once the days and nights are consistently warm. In warmer climates (and when we have a mild winter), I find that holy basil self-seeds very easily, but if you live in a colder climate like I do (our winters can get down to -40F/-40C some years) I make sure to save the seeds once the flowerheads go to seed in late summer. The tiny black seeds are easy to collect and save in a small bag until next year, when I plant them indoors to give them a head start (I have had some success direct sowing them as well, but usually they don't start flowering until the late summer if I direct sow).
I like to plant my holy basil in a sunny spot (ideally with some afternoon shade). It tends to like rich, dark soil and remain consistently moist (but not wet), much like the conditions that our culinary basils would thrive in. I have grown it in teracotta pots (I recommend using an 8 inch pot or larger). I also enjoy growing it in my Greenstalk vertical planter. I try to not crowd it with other plants, but otherwise it's really not too fussy. Early in the summer, I break the flowers off before they go to seed to encourage it to grow more branches and flowers before the season is over and it goes to seed.
Where to get holy basil seeds
I lucked out by being gifted my first (and still my favorite) holy basil plant which I continue to save seeds from. However, holy basil is becoming a more common garden herb and is easier to find nowadays than ever before. I have tried holy basil purchased from "big box store" seed brands, and do not recommend this, as I found that the "holy basil" I purchased by a big name seed company was not a true holy basil (nor was it fragrant). Instead, I have turned to online sources for holy basil varieties: the seeds that have worked out best for me were sourced from Strictly Medicinal seeds. They even have a basil bundle of seeds, so you can try a bunch of different varieties! (Note I am in no way affiliated with this company, and I paid for my seeds myself.) I would also recommend keeping your eyes out for local sources of holy basil seeds, as any seed originating from local providers may perform better for you than seeds purchased from national or international sources.
