Thai & Holy Basil Mix

This delightful mix combines two treasured culinary and medicinal basils: Thai Basil (Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora) and Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum, also known as Tulsi). Both varieties thrive in full sun and warm conditions, offering distinct flavour profiles from sweet-spicy with a hint of licorice to a clove-like herbal aroma. Plants are ornamental as well as functional, producing lush foliage with beautiful purplish tints and pink-purple flower spikes that attract pollinators. Whether brewed as a tea, added to a curry, or enjoyed in a stir-fry, this basil blend is a must-have for herbal and culinary gardens alike.

Where Can You Grow Thai & Holy Basil Mix?
Both basils grow best in warm, sunny spots with fertile, well-drained soil. In Canada, start seeds indoors and transplant after all danger of frost has passed. Ideal for containers, patio planters, greenhouses, and protected beds in Zones 3–9.

History and Historical Uses
Thai Basil is widely used in Southeast Asian cuisine, particularly in Thai, Vietnamese, and Laotian dishes, where it adds a distinct, spicy-sweet flavour. Holy Basil, or Tulsi, has long been revered in Ayurvedic medicine as a sacred plant known for its calming properties and immune-supporting benefits. This mix offers a cultural and flavourful glimpse into traditional food and medicine systems from Asia.

Canadian Zone Information
Zones 8-9: Direct sow or transplant after last frost for season-long harvest.
Zones 5-7: Start indoors in early spring and transplant once temperatures are reliably warm.
Zones 3-4: Best grown in containers and moved into a sunny, protected area or greenhouse.

How to Grow and Harvest Thai & Holy Basil Mix
Planting: Sow indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost; transplant after frost into well-drained soil.
Watering: Keep consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Harvesting: Harvest regularly by pinching back stems to encourage bushier growth and prolong flowering.
Maintenance: Remove flower heads if growing primarily for leaves; allow some to flower for pollinators and seed collection.

Seed Saving Tips for Future Supply
Select Plants: Choose healthy, mature plants and allow some flowers to fully develop and dry.
Harvest: Once seed heads are dry, cut and place in a paper bag to finish drying.
Store: Gently separate seeds and store in a cool, dry place.
Viability: Seeds are viable for 3–5 years with proper storage.

Certified Organic By
Islands Organics Producers Association (Cert#1962)