basil - holy

Ocimum tenuiflorum - Indian basil / holy basil

Eventual height & spread

basil - holy

Ocimum tenuiflorum - Indian basil / holy basil

  • approx 200 seeds
  • £2.99
  • In stock (shipped within 3-5 working days)
Delivery options
  • Seed Packets (only) £2.95
  • Named Day £10.95
  • Position: Full sun, sheltered and warm or a sunny windowsill
  • Soil: Fertile, moist but well drained
  • Rate of growth: Average
  • Hardiness: Tender (will need winter protection)


  • 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.

  • Garden care: Pick plants over regularly and remove any developing flowerheads immediately to prevent bolting (running to seed) and to encourage lots of fresh young leaves.

  • Sowing 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.


  • Sow: April to June

  • Harvest: July onwards

  • Approximate quantity: 200 seeds