Thai Basil has small sturdy leaves that hold up well to high-heat cooking, purple stems, and delicate, edible violet flower spikes that make the whole plant look like a lavender bush when allowed to fully bloom.

The spicy clove-anise flavor brings an earthy essence to pesto, Thai curries, stir fries, citrus salads, and cocktails. Elegant in cut flower arrangements, too.

Harvest the leaves and stems from the top part of the plant, and pinch off edible flower buds as they appear, which prevents the leaves from turning bitter, and signals the plant to branch out and grow more leaves, making a bushier plant.

The more you harvest, the more it grows!

• Spicy clove-anise flavor
• Culinary, medicinal, and ornamental
• Good for indoor gardens
• Good for containers
• Tons of medicinal benefits!

As a medicinal herb, Basil has been used internally to treat anxiety, colds, colic, cough, depression, diarrhea, fever, flatulence, flu, indigestion, insomnia, intestinal parasites and worms, exhaustion, gastric pain, gonorrhea, lactation problems, migraine headache, nausea, stomach cramps, sore throat, and vomiting, and externally to treat acne, insect bites and stings, loss of smell, skin problems, snake bites.

⚠️ Do not use medicinally while pregnant.

⚠️ Medicinal properties are presented as information only, and are not a recommendation or prescription for use. Consult a medical professional before using any herb medicinally.

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum
• Life cycle: Herbaceous annual
• Hardiness zones: 8-10
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• Days to maturity: 60-80 days; can begin harvesting when 6" tall
• Depth to plant seeds: 1/4" deep
• Days to germinate (sprout): 5-10 days
• Germination soil temps: 70F-75F
• Spacing between plants: 12"-18" apart
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per 2 sq. ft.
• Soil types: Sandy, loamy, silty, rich, moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.0-7.5
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Water needs: High - keep soil moist
• Cold stratify: No
• Frost tolerant: No
• Heat tolerant: Yes
• Drought tolerant: No
• Deer resistant: Yes
• Culinary use: Yes
• Medicinal use: Yes

Good companion plants: Anise, Asparagus, Beet, Borage, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chamomile, Chives, Collards, Cilantro/Coriander, Dill, Eggplant, Fenugreek, Garlic, Jicama, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lemongrass, Leek, Lettuce, Marigold, Mint, Mustard, Onion, Oregano, Parsley, Parsnip, Pepper, Potato, Purslane, Radish, Rutabaga, Salad Burnet, Shiso, Tomato, Turnip, Yarrow

As a companion plant, it attracts hummingbirds, pollinators, and beneficial insects, and repels asparagus beetles, cabbage moths, cabbage white butterfly, cabbage worms, carrot rust fly, flies, maggots, mice, mosquitoes, spider mites, thrips, and tomato hornworms.

Thai Basil is very fragrant and one of the most available varieties of basil.  It has beautiful purple stems with bright green leaves. It is used widely in soups and curries, and other traditional Thai dishes.  

Quick Tip Planting Guide:

What is Thai Basil?

Thai Basil exhibits narrow leaves, with gorgeous purple stems. Sometimes mauve or pink-ish flowers.   It needs warm air and sun to do well.   This is a wonderful basil to grow if you are a Thai food enthusiast!  It is also known as the "holy herb" in many traditions all around the world.

 

Health Benefits of Thai Basil

Thai Basil is a wonderful blood coagulant, and plays a role in strengthening bones. It contains a ton of iron, vitamin A, and plenty of essential oils. 

 

Ways to Consume Thai Basil

Use Thai Basil as a condiment, or a enjoy it as an accompaniment to Pho'. It is slightly anise-flavored so it goes extremely well in soups and curries.  

 

See Basil Recipes & Growing Tips on our Pinterest Board