Tulsi, also known as holy basil, is a plant sacred to many households in India. It is a perennial shrub that grows in tropical and subtropical regions. Planting Tulsi and Its uses have been regarded for centuries for its medicinal and spiritual benefits which are now proven scientifically. Tulsi tea, a popular drink in India is well known for its stress-reducing and immunity-enhancing properties. This article mentions how to grow holy basil from seeds as well as cuttings from the mother plant.

Level of difficulty to maintain tulsi plant – Easy.

What should be the Potting mix for planting Tulsi?

  1. To grow Tulsi, you need to plant it in aerated and porous soil with good drainage. Moisten the soil but don’t make it too soggy. A good potting mix for tulsi is a combination of Soil, Vermicompost, and Cocopeat in equal parts.

2. An 8-inch round pot is ideal for directly planting Tulsi.

3. You can report it once you notice the plant has outgrown its pot.

tulsi seeds in dry flower
Image Source: Canva

What should be the Planting method to grow Holy Basil or Tulsi?

  1. The best way to grow a tulsi plant is by cutting a tulsi stem from a mother plant. The cuttings should have a few leaves and be a couple of inches long. All flowers and leaves at the bottom portion must be removed.   
  2. You can place the cutting in a glass of water or directly in a pot of soil. Keep it in a warm and sunny place to allow it to grow. Once the cuttings begin to grow, transplant the plant into a pot of soil or grow it hydroponically. Tulsi is one of the plants you can grow hydroponically as well.
  3. Water the cuttings regularly to keep the soil moist, In about 4 to 6 weeks you should start to see new shoots.
  4. If you’re growing a Tulsi plant from seeds, make sure you sow them only 1/4 inch beneath the soil. Since they are tiny, they need to be covered with only a thin layer of soil. 
  5. In about 1 or 2 weeks, you shall start to see the seeds grow. Use a spray bottle to lightly sprinkle water on the soil to avoid damaging the new sapling. You can keep the pot near a window that has access to plenty of sunlight. 

How to water after Planting Tulsi?

One should water the plant daily in summer and every alternate day in winter. Do not overflood the pot, shower it gently.

How much should the Sunlight exposure To Grow Holy Basil?

Tulsi plant requires up to 6 hours of sunlight daily in ideal conditions. It can also survive in partial sunlight with 4 hours of sunlight in a day.

 How to Nourish After Planting Tulsi?

The soil you require for Tulsi should be fertile. You can add an inch of compost to the soil every 6 months for adequate fertility. Using organic fertilizers is best for those who consume Tulsi.

How to care for Tulsi or Holy Basil and what signs to look for?

  • Prune your tulsi weekly to help facilitate better growth. Once it has 3 sets of leaves on a stem, you can cut off the top set of leaves.
  • Regularly keep removing wilted or discoloured leaves and flower buds to keep your plant leafy and bushy.
  • To avoid the soil from becoming hard and compact, you should keep loosening it with a trowel(Khurpi) or any digging tool that you have.

When to harvest Holy Basil At Home?

You can harvest the plant once it reaches1 foot in height. Harvesting should be done sparsely on a periodic basis. It takes about 40 days after germination for Tulsi to be ready for harvest.

 What should be the Temperature/Soil PH for growing tulsi?

The ideal temperature for a tulsi plant to grow is 60-70° F. A soil with a pH level around 6 to 7.5 is essential for the health of the plant.

So, Go ahead and start growing an abundant supply of tulsi leaves because once this plant thrives, it does not disappoint you.