Horapha

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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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

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Horapha Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	May 11th	Jul 27th	Sep 10th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	May 4th	Jul 20th	Sep 3rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 24th	Jul 10th	Aug 24th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 24th	Jul 10th	Aug 24th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 28th	Jul 14th	Aug 28th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 24th	Jul 10th	Aug 24th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 22nd	Jul 8th	Aug 22nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 17th	Jul 3rd	Aug 17th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 13th	Jun 29th	Aug 13th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 10th	Jun 26th	Aug 10th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Apr 4th	Jun 20th	Aug 4th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 30th	Jun 15th	Jul 30th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 20th	Jun 5th	Jul 20th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 11th	May 27th	Jul 11th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Mar 2nd	May 18th	Jul 2nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 13th	May 1st	Jun 15th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 19th	Apr 6th	May 21st – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th

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.