Tulsi, Krishna — Holy Basil, Shyama Tulasi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) seeds, organic
$4.95 – $20.00
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 contains 50 seeds
1 g contains ~2,000 seeds
Certified Organically Grown
m.a.kinkaid –
I’m wanting to try growing all of them, and don’t want to accidentally order the same thing twice. 🙂
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Richo Cech –
yes, it is the same.
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Ann –
Hi! I’m so excited to FINALLY be getting some Krishna seed- it’s a tough plant to locate!!! I’m in zone 10A, can I germinate seeds in fall here, or do I need to wait til spring? ( can you tell I’m anxious to get growing?!?)
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Claudio –
Excellent plants, how long does the viability of the seeds last?
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Richo Cech –
hi claudio, time to make some tulsi tea. Just cut the plants back about 1/3 and dry the resulting leaf and flower. Once it is dried, rub it through one of our herb rubbing screens to remove the stems and break up the leaves and flowers. Then make tea from the dried leaves and flowers. you can check my book “making plant medicine” for more info on all of this. richo
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Richo Cech –
Hi Claudio, They will last up to 3 years. Dry storage under refrigeration is best. Richo
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Trevor –
They are listed in a bulk pack in the printed catalogue for $30 but not on the website, only the 50 seed pkt. Was this just missed or is it not an option when ordering online? Thank you.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Trevor, Thanks for contacting. I’m sorry, the bulk is sold out.The packets are still availabld. I would hurry, it looks like they will sell out, as well. Richo
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Question
tulsi lover –
I’m in zone 6b and wondering if I can have success starting this in domed trays and taking them outside during warm spring days in April and bringing them in at night. Or is the only way to get a head start on this variety to start indoors with lights ?
If I were to sow directly in ground, do you recommend I wait until Memorial Day ? My avg last frost date ranges from may 11-20.
Thank you richo!
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Richo Cech –
hi there Khadija, you’re probably used to waiting until the ground warms up before you plant things like beans and tomatoes. Plant your tulsi at the same time. The ground should feel warm to the palm of your hand when you put your hand on the soil. Sorry but i never recommend domed trays. this was something that was invented by the industry to try to sell more plastic to people. the dome keeps the air too moist, excludes critical light, and promotes damping off. yes, you can start early in gallon pots, keep them frost-free, give them as much light as possible, and transplant out after memorial day. cheers! richo
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Emily –
This plant takes a bit more effort to grow than temperate tulsi in my zone 4 garden, but I still love it. It has a deep purple color and a spicy scent. Simply enchanting.
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Richo Cech –
Emily, thank you for this truth, i agree with this assessment. the tropical tulsi, grown as temperate annuals, are more challenging than the Ocimum africanum, but worth it. r
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Joshua Segismundo (verified owner) –
The seeds were a little slow to germinate, but after heavy rains (I live on Guam, very humid) they popped out and grew quickly. They’re currently flowering now and I’m making tea from them!
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Taylor Shaw –
As a first time Tulsi grower, do you have an recommendations? I am in zone 6a Connecticut. I also have honey bees and want to get a variety that they will enjoy. Thanks!
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Richo Cech –
yes, start the seeds in the spring. as for honeybees, “Temperate Tulsi” is by far your best choice, and this also does well in a cooler zone. For the purpose of herbal medicine, “Krishna.”
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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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Nicole –
I planted a small krishna start that I got from you last year, in Zone 10a East SouthCentral coast of Florida – Vero Beach. I have harvested several clippings of leaves and flowers, smells and tastes great – goes well with Sida Acuta that grows wild in my front yard. I am confident it wil be perrenial from how it’s going. Suprisingly powdery mildew resistant – the temperate tulsi that I grow from your seeds needs regular Neem to control, growing about 10 feet away from the Krishna. But it’s so fun to grow and use! Thanks!
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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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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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