Description
Ocimum africanum | Temperate Basil (Tulsi)
We were given this Basil plant by a friend who handed it to me one day as ‘Bubblegum Basil’. It was the first Basil I’d ever grown. Trying to hunt down the correct name for this plant has been quite the challenge considering most websites on the internet have these seeds listed under an incorrect name. I was guilty of it too, for about a year… I had a peculiar feeling that something wasn’t correct. Then I finally found some better information. Previously we had these seeds listed as Ocimum basilicum- (Kapoor Tulsi) Holy Basil. However, the correct- name is Ocimum africanum- (Tulsi) Temperate Basil/Holy Basil. Ocimum africanum is a natural hybrid formed by a cross of Ocimum americanum x Ocimum basilicum. Thus, Tulsi Basil (O. africanum) is different than Kapoor Tulsi (Ocimum basilicum), Rama Tulsi Basil (O. tenuiflorum), Vana Tulsi (O. gratissimum), and Ocimum tenuiflorum/sanctum. Its origins can be traced back to the Abundant Life Seed Foundation, and has been referred as the ‘Abundant Life’ variety in the past.
Temperate Basil, also known as Holy Basil and Tulsi, is an annual member of the mint family. The Hindu name for Holy Basil is Tulsi, which means the ‘incomparable one’. Its undoubtedly a superior Basil strain, and easily our favorite! The form is compact, growing into a small bush quickly, and are easy and quick to grow. They are distinguished from most other Basil plants by their fast-flowering nature, frost tolerance, and pronounced Tutti-frutti Bubblegum aroma (which also has hints of clove.). It’s the only basil that seems to self-seed outdoors from seed dropped the year before. We’ve even had it start growing immediately after it was dropped the same season. We’ve kept this basil indoor before too, just because the smell is so fragrant and wonderful, plus it carries!
Temperate Tulsi Basil has green oval-pointed leaves which are slightly serrated and arranged in opposite pairs on square stems that are green and slightly hairy. Flower spikes arise from the tops of the branches on green stalks with a green calyx and cute light purple to light pink flowers. Makes a fantastic container plant, indoor or out, as it grows in a short bushy style that will fill any small pot. Cut it back and it will regenerate several times throughout the growing season. Very good resistance to powdery mildew. Reseeds easily.
If you want pollinators, this is the plant to grow- it’s a bee favorite, and butterflies and hummingbirds love it, too. It is one of our favorite plants to grow- with even the slightest brush against the leaves, a wonderfully intoxicating bubblegum aroma floats around the garden. Long loved by humans, but disliked by most wildlife including deer and rabbits.
Holy Basil is rich in several important nutrients, most notably vitamin A, vitamin C. It also contains high concentrations of carotenoids like beta carotene, and these substances are converted to vitamin A within the body. It may be a good source of iron, potassium, and magnesium depending on what it can extract from your soil. Basil is classified as an adaptogenic herb (tonic herb) that helps support one’s natural immune system, relieves stress, and helps restore balance and bring the body back to its normal function. Many alternative practitioners recommend consuming Basil as a tea, tincture or capsule every day to help promote good health. It is sometimes called “hot basil” when used for cooking because of its bitter, spicy taste.
Holy Basil can easily be grown indoors in pots all year around to ensure a continuous supply of fresh leaves throughout the winter.
If you grow nothing else this year this should be your one plant.
Type: Annual
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Mature height: 12-18 inches
Mature width: 12 inches
Hardiness zones: Annual. Perennial in zones 10+.
