Ocimum tenuiflorum aka Tulasi

Taxonomy

Ocimum tenuiflorum, commonly known as holy basil, tulsi or tulasi, and tamole, damole, or domole in Fiji, is an aromatic perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae native to the Indian subcontinent and widespread as a cultivated plant throughout the Southeast Asian tropics. Holy basil is an erect, many-branched subshrub which grows rapidly to a height of 3 feet and propagates itself by seed. The leaves are green or purple, simple and petioled, with an ovate blade up to 5 cm (2.0 in) long which usually has a slightly toothed margin, strongly scented and with a decussate phyllotaxy. The purplish flowers are placed in close whorls on elongate racemes. Tulsi is cultivated for religious and traditional medicine purposes and for its essential oil, and is widely used as a herbal tea, commonly used in Ayurveda, and is a part of the Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism, in which devotees perform worship involving holy basil plants or leaves.

Common names

Tulasi, Tulsi, Holy Basil

How to care for Tulasi

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Tulasi is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Tulasi should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Tulasi loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Tulasi prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Tulasi to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Humidity

No extra humidity is necessary for the Tulasi. Absorption of water by plants is primarily done through their roots, and soil watering is the most effective method to provide humidity to your plants.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Tulasi as it grows vertically.

Region of origin

Tulasi’s native range is Worldwide.


More info:
Wikipedia