Herbs1 variety
Holy Basil
Ocimum africanumUnique, spicy aroma with hints of coffee and chocolate. Compact but very full, attractive plants. Mild, spicy aroma with hints of sweetness. Faster-growing than green holy basil, with purple flowers that make it a nice, beneficial, and/or ornamental plant. For teas, culinary, and medicinal use. Appears to have some resistance to downy mildew in our trials. Plant 2-3 seeds per inch in rows 18" apart. Firm the soil over the seeds. Thinning isn't necessary, but a final spacing of 4-8" apart produces healthy, full plants. Note: Holy Basil needs some light to germinate, so sow it shallower than other basils.
Days to maturity
60 daysDays to germ.
5–10 daysSpacing
4–8 inHeight
12–18 inSun
SunHow we grow it
Germination
- Days to germ.
- 5–10 d
- Soil temp
- 65–70 °F
- Depth
- 0.25 in
- Light for germ
- light
Culture
- Days to maturity
- 60 d
- Spacing
- 4–8 in
- Height
- 12–18 in
- Sun
- Sun
- Frost
- tender
- Sow indoors
- No
- Outdoor / direct
- Yes
Harvest
- Cut stage
- Begin harvesting once plants are established. Do this in the early morning, when temperatures are cooler and leaves are less likely to wilt. Harvest fully just before plants start to flower. Cut the entire plant 4-6" above ground to promote a second growth.
- Handling
- Leaves are easily bruised when picking, so handle carefully. Do not store at temperatures below 50°F.
Timing · Zone 5a
Windows are anchored to an average last frost of May 21 (1 year in 10 as early as Apr 29, as late as Jun 2) and an average first frost of Sep 18 (1 year in 10 as early as Sep 6, as late as Oct 8). In a late or early year, slide them with it.
Compare in the calendarTrials
Every Holy Basil sowingSeed sources, counts, ratings, and the observations kept against each one.Holy Basil trials