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 BasilHow 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
Tulasi requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Tulsi is always in the right place to thrive.
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
More Species in Ocimum Genus
Ocimum campechianum Least Basil
Ocimum americanum Sweet Basil
Ocimum Basil
Ocimum minimum Bush Basil
Ocimum kilimandscharicum Hoary Basil
Ocimum basilicum Sweet Basil
Ocimum africanum Hoary Basil
Ocimum gratissimum African Basil
