Please note, orders for potted plants will be shipped starting Late September.
Tulsi, Krishna — Holy Basil, Shyama Tulasi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) potted plant, organic
$7.50
Family: Mint (Lamiaceae)
Hardy to Zones 10 to 12, otherwise grown as a potted plant and brought in for the winter
(Tea basil from India, Shyama Tulasi, Krishna Tulsi) Perennial tea basil originally from India. The plants are grown at our farm here in the USA, in seclusion, in order to produce the seed offered here. An outstanding cultivar for producing the true tropical-type tulsi tea (as opposed to tea of temperate tulsi). Leaves dark purple. Many people prefer this dark-colored cultivar. According to ancient folklore, the Tulsi (tulasi) plant is a manifestation of the Divine Mother on Earth, for the benefit of all creation. Tastes good and provides gentle stimulation to body, mind and spirit. Growing tea basils brings many blessings to the household! The tea made from this plant is very satisfying, with taste and aroma most appealing. Traditional usage (Ayurveda): stress, anxiety, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and dementia. Drinking tulsi tea in the morning is a fantastic way to get started. If you want to be an herbalist and are afraid you might tell somebody to take the wrong thing, then tell them to drink tulsi tea and you will be right every time. Plant prefers a warm garden exposure, with rich yet well-drained soil and frequent watering. Space plants 2 feet apart. If growing indoors, give at least 6 hours of light daily, do not overwater, and make sure there is good air exchange to keep the plant healthy. Space plants 2 feet apart.
Potted plant, Certified Organically Grown
Question
Susan Bowers –
I Live in Hansville Washington zone 8 a will they survive year round here or do they need to be in the green house for the winter
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Richo Cech –
Hi Susan! If you click on the picture then the monograph comes up and shows that these are perennial in a zone 10 to 12 so a zone 8 is not warm enough. I’m overwintering several hundred in a heated greenhouse under lights–they seem to do well that way. r
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Shivani –
At what stage does it turn Purple? Mine is growing so very well from seeds I bought from you .. its quite young only 3 months old but has just absolutely gorgeous leaves! I am not in a hurry but just curious when the color typically changes? Thanks for the fabulous seeds! My temperate Tulsi and Vana also are doing very well, though Vana is slower going here (10b Northern Cali) for me. Thanks.
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Richo Cech –
the krsna tends toward purple and its not an absolute purple like you’d get in a commercial purple ruffles basil or some such which is pretty but doesn’t have the right phytochemistry. the krsna goes more purple as it matures and the flowers are very dark. r
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Question
pam allison (verified owner) –
How much sun do Tulsi plants outdoors prefer? I have them in pots, so I can bring them in before winter.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Pam,
They do well with full sun, except if they are in pots you might want to make sure the root system doesn’t get too hot. Vana tulsi does overwinter well indoors in pots, but the other types don’t tend to overwinter very well. It can be done, but not easy.
Richo
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Question
Jaclyn –
When will this be available? Thank you
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Richo Cech –
Spring of 2021
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Carlene Jackson –
Do these plants die back in the frost but com back from the roots in the spring?
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Richo Cech –
Hello Carlene, These are tender perennials, in other words once they experience frost they’re gone. We seed them an ew each spring. Richo
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Question
Valerie Ramos –
What is your preferred choice of Tulsi?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Valerie,
I find the Amrita Tulsi to be superior. This year I planted out every type, and although the physical characteristics of Amrita and Rama are very close, the Amrita outgrew the Rama (superior genetic vigor). I also really do like the Krishna, although the yield is relatively low.
Richo
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Question
axa662 –
Is possible to plant multiple seedlings in the same pot? Also, how big do they tend to grow in containers? Thanks!
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Admin Richo Cech –
You might get by with 3 plants to a 5-gallon pot. They won’t grow very tall unless given ideal conditions–most growers are going to find these top out at 12 to 18 inches.
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Sarah Faichney –
Hi Richo,
What mpsoil temperature does Krishna like? Is there a minimum temperature Krishna or the other tropical Holy Basils tolerate?
Thank you,
Sarah
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Richo Cech –
The only true cutoff is 32 degrees F. We had a 100 degree day here 2 days back and the Krishna tulsi really increased that day. Any of the tropical tulsis are going to suffer outside until tomato-growing weather is on. richo
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