Tulsi, Krishna — Holy Basil, Shyama Tulasi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), packet of 20 seeds, organic
$4.95
Syn. Ocimum sanctum
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, Krsna 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. Prepare a flat of potting soil or a fine seedbed in spring. Remember that tulsi is a light-dependent germinator, so it actually helps to hold the seeds in the palm of your hand up to the sunlight to get them started. Then plant not too deeply, so they still get light. Scatter seeds on surface, press in and keep evenly moist, in the light and very warm until germination, which is rapid. Transplant or thin to 2 feet apart.
Packet of 20 seeds, Certified Organically Grown
- for a discussion of morphological variability of tulsi in India, see the research article by Malay, Pandey, Bhatt, Krishnan and Bisht “Morphological variability in holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) from India, Genet Resour Crop Evol (2015) 62:1245-1256. Cluster analysis techniques were applied to identify three main types (green type Rama, intermediate type (such as our cultivar called Amrita) and black type Shyama (Krishna)). You can find the comparative photos on page 1251)
Rose –
Took about 10 days to germinate, growing slowly but steady, starting to just fill in now at about four weeks or so. They seem fine with the heat, we have an above avg hotter than usual spring. I started them in biodegradable seed pots and it looks like they all came up. I water them two-three times a day, they haven’t drooped but the soil completely dries out (small seed pot and too much heat). I probably should have put them in the shade while they are this tiny.
I am hoping that they will be perennial in our climate. Thanks for the warning about them becoming rangy – I’ll just put them in the back of the tropical garden and maybe one in a planter in the potager.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Rose,
Thanks for letting everyone know about the Krishna tulsi. It is a tropical type–I believe it will be perennial in Florida. Richo
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skashoon –
Was watching Joe Hollis speaking about Krishna cultivar and that it was more temperate than Rama. Yet, I am in zone 7a. Which cultivar can I grow here as a perennial?
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Richo Cech –
Hi there, none of the tulsis are going to overwinter in a 7a. They are all extremely frost sensitive. Vana Tulsi (Ocimum gratissimum) turns out to be the easiest to overwinter on a windowsill and set back out in the spring. Hope that helps. Richo
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jasperdshide (verified owner) –
It was a bit finicky to get started but the seedlings that made it REALLY made it, and are now happy and healthy mature plants with that lovely purple color and fantastic aroma.
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Richo Cech –
Yes, and they get very large and rangy. one plant grown well and allowed to obtain its normal size will spice many, many beans.
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Question
Dominic –
Love these! I was wondering when seed would be back In stock?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hello Dominic,
Krishna tulsi seed should be available after harvest October 2019. In the mean time you can get the plants at http://www.strictlymedicinalseeds.com but hurry, they will soon sell out. Another option is simply to plant the AMRITA tulsi which is a krishna type–this seed is giving very good germination.
Richo
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Question
Rodrigo Dias –
Do you have international shipping?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Yes, we ship seeds and books only internationally.
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Maddison –
Will these be back in stock any time soon?
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Admin Diana –
Not until harvest Oct 2019, I suggest going with the AMRITA tulsi seed, a krsna type, very reliable germination. r
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Kishori Singh –
when is the right time to sow the seeds of Krishna tulsi in Minnesota , are they available now
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Richo Cech –
Hello Kishori, The Krishna Tulsi seed is in stock, you can order and we will send. In the Northern states good to start indoors 6 weeks before last frost. The seed needs light to germinate, and the plant needs a warm summer garden to do well. Richo
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