basil - holy
Ocimum tenuiflorum - Indian basil / holy basil
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in stock
(shipped within 1-2 working days) - approx 200 seeds
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£2.99
Delivery options
- Seed Packets (only) £5.95
- Named day £14.95
- Position: full sun, sheltered and warm or a sunny windowsill
- Soil: fertile, moist but well drained
- Rate of growth: average
- Hardiness: tender
A small, upright, bushy variety with highly aromatic, purple-green, serrated leaves that are used in culinary dishes, particularly Thai. Ocimum tenuiflorum boasts attractive spikes of pink flowers that appear in summer and is a useful companion plant when grown alongside tomatoes (it deters whitefly). A short-lived, tender perennial, it is most commonly grown as an annual when regularly picked. - Growing Instructions: Sow seeds into pots of free-draining seed compost on a warm, sunny windowsill or in a greenhouse from late spring. Protect seedlings from slugs and cold and keep well-watered as they grow. Plant out into the herb garden or into roomy pots or troughs from early summer, after all threat of frost has passed, allowing 15-20cm between plants. Pick plants over regularly and remove any developing flowerheads immediately to prevent bolting (running to seed) and to encourage lots of fresh young leaves.
- Sow: April to June
- Harvest: July onwards
