Sacred Basil | Ocimum africanum
Deliciously-scented adaptogenic herb.
Temperate Tulsi, also sold by some as "Kapoor" Tulsi. Tulsi, considered a sacred plant in the Hindu religion, has been cultivated for at least 3,000 years. Known as the Incomparable One, Queen of the Herbs, and Elixir of Life, the scent, as well as preparations of the herb, have been used to heal for centuries. Today's plant scientists classify Sacred Basil as an adaptogen, a substance that helps us adapt mentally and physically to stressful circumstances. One whiff of its exquisite aroma and you'll understand why! This particular variety, O. africanum, hails from East Africa and is known for it's tutti-frutti scent, fast growth, and frost tolerance, and is the most commonly found variety in the U.S., as it is very well-adapted to the North American climate. This variety makes a delicious tea–and is much beloved by the bees.
Also commonly referred to as "Holy Basil."
Start seeds indoors 6 weeks before last frost and transplant when plants have 2 sets of true leaves after threat of frost has passed. Can also be direct sown outdoors after last frost and thinned to indicated spacing. Basil requires moderate fertility and water. Harvest when plants are bushy, before flowers form by cutting the stems above smaller, leafy growth. Tulsi basil can be dried immediately after harvesting and kept for months. Self-sows.
Days to Germination 5-10 days
Days to Maturity 70 days
Planting Depth ¼"
Spacing in Row 12"
Spacing Between Rows 12"
Height at Maturity 18"
Width at Maturity 12"
Sun Preference Full Sun
Artwork by Jessi Carter. This ink-on-paper work is show-stopping in person. Its intricate landscape and plant imagery suggest the layers of cultural and botanical meaning in the reverence felt for this herb by people from all around the world.
About Hudson Valley Seed Company
They are a values-driven seed company that practices and celebrates responsible seed production and stewardship. Hudson Valley are best known for their beautiful artist-design seed packs (Art Packs) that appeal to gardeners, gift buyers, and lovers of art and nature.
These Art Packs, most fundamentally, tell stories. Hudson Valley challenges artists to convey in a manner that is fully their own, the history and meaning of the seed variety contained in each pack. These stories were once integral to traditional societies-stories of seeds were often origin stories for entire communities and peoples, and the lore and beliefs that accumulated around seed varieties reflected the nearly familial way in which gardeners and farmers regarded their crops. Our society is, by and large, no longer connected to plants this way. But we like to think these Art Packs help to stitch our fragmented world back together: useful seeds, evocative art, both equally valuable to our experience of being human.