Horapha

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Aromatic and luminous, Horapha Thai Basil releases a bright, peppery fragrance with cool anise-citrus notes that rise from every leaf.

The foliage forms an upright, richly textured mound of narrow, glossy leaves—tender yet substantial—ideal for bold flavor building in fresh applications and fragrant sauces. Grow Horapha for its quick 45-day turnaround and its distinctive, long-lasting garden presence as it matures toward showy purple-tinged blooms.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 4th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Aug 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Horapha Thai basil doesn’t just taste green—it smells like anise and citrus first, then hits with a peppery, clean bite. It earns its keep in high-heat, last-minute cooking and spoon-on sauces where its aroma can stay sharp instead of going dull.

Best Uses

wok-fry finish for fast sautéed aromatics (add at the last 30–60 seconds)
Thai-style herb-heavy sauces and dressings (blend briefly, use immediately)
chopped leaf topping for rice/noodle bowls—adds fragrance without turning bitter

Flavor Profile

bright, peppery herbal snap cool anise-citrus lift aromatic, slightly sweet finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lime fish sauce chili coconut milk sesame oil

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common disease problem for Thai basil (Ocimum basilicum) like Horapha, and how can I prevent or fix it?

Thai basil commonly suffers from downy mildew (often showing as yellow spots on the upper leaves with fuzzy growth underneath), especially with cool nights and high humidity. Remove badly infected leaves and avoid wetting foliage when watering; water at the base in the morning so plants dry quickly. Improve airflow by spacing plants and, if needed, use an appropriate copper-based fungicide labeled for basil early in symptoms.

How often should I water Ocimum basilicum during the main growing phase?

During active leaf growth, keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—typically 1–2 times per week depending on heat and container size. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, because Thai basil roots need consistent moisture to keep leaves tender and reduce stress that leads to disease. If grown in pots, check more frequently because the soil can dry out faster.

How do I tell when Horapha Thai basil (Ocimum basilicum) is ready to harvest?

Start harvesting around 45 days after sowing when plants are about 6–8 inches tall with plenty of healthy, mature leaf pairs. Pick leaves and pinch stems just above a pair of leaves to encourage branching, harvesting regularly once the plant is established. If leaves look small and the plant is still forming only a few shoots, wait a bit longer for fuller growth before heavier harvesting.