Image: AI generated
Holy Basil Plant Care
Ocimum tenuiflorum L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ocimum tenuiflorum, commonly known as tulasi, tulsi, or holy basil, is an aromatic perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is widely cultivated throughout the Southeast Asian tropics.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–90°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Holy Basil?
Water Holy Basil every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–90°F (16–32°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 3 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Holy Basil Native To?
What Is the Holy Basil?
Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Ocimum genus. Holy Basil is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Australia and the western Pacific. Holy Basil is also known as Tulsi, Sacred Basil, Tulasi.
Holy Basil displays an upright, bushy herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Holy Basil produces small, tubular flowers in shades of white, pink, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Holy Basil?
Ocimum tenuiflorum requires watering every 4–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Holy Basil Need?
Holy Basil thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Holy Basil Prefer?
Ocimum tenuiflorum grows best at temperatures of 60–90°F. Holy Basil prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–90°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Holy Basil?
Well-draining, fertile soil with a neutral pH. Good drainage is essential for Holy Basil to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Holy Basil?
Feed Holy Basil every 3 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 3 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Holy Basil?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Holy Basil?
Holy Basil can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american basil plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Holy Basil Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Holy Basil, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Holy Basil?
Holy Basil is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Holy Basil Need?
Holy Basil grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Holy Basil is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Australia and the western Pacific. In cooler regions, grow Holy Basil as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10b – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Holy Basil is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Ocimum genus — compare its care with other Ocimum species on PlantoScan.
Ocimum is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Holy Basil thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ocimum tenuiflorum L., family Lamiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 597 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Holy Basil, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Holy Basil Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species