Krishna Tulsi

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Fragrant as a warm breeze over fresh green leaves, Krishna Tulsi fills the garden with a deep, peppery-cool aroma and a gently sweet, herbal lift.

Its tender, upright foliage forms a lush canopy of richly textured leaves that hold their character beautifully in aromatic infusions and traditional medicinal preparations. Ideal for warm-season growing, Krishna Tulsi rewards attentive gardeners with steady, flavorful harvests from about 60 days onward.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 13th
Harvest Begins	Aug 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
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

Krishna Tulsi carries a peppery-cool perfume that stays bright in hot water, so it earns its keep in short-steep teas and aromatic infusions. Its tender sweetness and herbal snap make it a standout finisher—add it at the end so the peppery top-notes don’t burn off.

Best Uses

hot infusions for a fragrant, tea-like steep
torn-leaf infusions in syrups or simple syrups
finish soups, beans, and rice with quick wilting
use in chutney or yogurt sauces where you want a peppery-herb lift

Flavor Profile

peppery-cool aroma gentle sweetness on the finish tender, leaf-forward herbal bite slightly minty, warming heat

Kitchen Pairings

honey ginger lemongrass coconut milk lime black tea

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Ocimum tenuiflorum (Krishna Tulsi), and how can I control it?

Krishna tulsi is often troubled by fungal leaf spots and downy mildew-like symptoms when leaves stay wet. Water at the soil level, avoid overhead irrigation, and improve airflow by spacing plants so foliage dries quickly; remove and destroy heavily spotted leaves. If problems persist, apply a copper-based fungicide according to the label, especially after humid periods.

How often should I water Krishna Tulsi during the main growing phase?

During active growth, keep the top 1–2 in (2–5 cm) of soil lightly moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply about 1–2 times per week in full sun, increasing frequency in hot weather and reducing it when nights are cool or rainy. If the soil stays wet or plants wilt despite moist soil, cut back immediately to prevent root stress and fungal leaf problems.

How do I tell when Krishna Tulsi is ready to harvest?

Harvest once plants are about 60 days old and well-branched, when shoots have formed multiple pairs of leaves. For best regrowth, pinch or cut just above a pair of leaves, taking tender tips rather than stripping older stems. You can continue harvesting in cycles as long as new growth keeps pushing from the nodes.