Red Holy Basil

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Red Holy Basil to a garden.

Fragrant as a warm breeze—Red Holy Basil carries a rich, clove-tinged basil aroma with a distinctly deep, wine-red undertone that lingers in the air.

Leaves are tender and softly textured, with a vivid burgundy sheen that deepens as plants mature, offering a lush, upright habit that’s as beautiful as it is aromatic. Ideal for fresh aromatic use and for infusing oils, vinegars, and flavorful sauces, this variety brings its signature red personality to every pot and patio garden.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Red Holy Basil

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Red Holy Basil 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	May 4th	Aug 3rd	Oct 2nd – Jul 15th
Zone 1b	Apr 20th	Jul 20th	Sep 18th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 13th	Jul 13th	Sep 11th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	Jul 3rd	Sep 1st – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	Jul 3rd	Sep 1st – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	Jul 7th	Sep 5th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	Jul 3rd	Sep 1st – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	Jul 1st	Aug 30th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	Jun 26th	Aug 25th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	Jun 22nd	Aug 21st – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	Jun 19th	Aug 18th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Jun 13th	Aug 12th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Jun 8th	Aug 7th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	May 29th	Jul 28th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	May 20th	Jul 19th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	May 11th	Jul 10th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	Apr 24th	Jun 23rd – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Mar 30th	May 29th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

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

Red Holy Basil hits with that basil-bright snap plus a clove-warm undercurrent, so it behaves best as a late-add or infusion rather than a long-cooked herb. Its tender leaf texture and lingering aroma make it especially good when you want an herbal “presence” without losing it to heat.

Best Uses

tear-and-finish on tomato-free dishes where it can stay the lead aromatic
short-steep infusions for red-hued basil oil or vinegar (avoid long heat that mutes the clove note)
blending into pesto-style sauces for a darker, spicier aromatic profile
brushing into quick pan sauces and finishing near the end for maximum perfume

Flavor Profile

clove-tinged basil aroma peppery, slightly resinous bite tender, softly textured leaves fragrant lingering finish with a warm, herbal heat

Kitchen Pairings

garlic ginger lemongrass chili olive oil white miso

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Ocimum tenuiflorum (red holy basil), and how can I treat it?

Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is prone to leaf fungal spots when foliage stays wet and airflow is poor. At the first sign of spotting, remove affected leaves, water at the soil line, and thin plants so leaves dry quickly; improve airflow around the crown. If spotting spreads, use a labeled copper-based fungicide and reapply according to the label after 5–7 days.

How often should I water red holy basil during the main growing phase?

During active growth, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil lightly moist but never waterlogged—typically this means watering about once every 2–4 days depending on heat and container size. Aim for deep watering that penetrates the root zone, then let the soil surface dry slightly before the next watering. Consistent moisture supports leaf production, while soggy soil can trigger root stress and leaf diseases.

How do I tell when Ocimum tenuiflorum is ready to harvest?

Harvest starting around 45–60 days when plants are well branched and have strong leaf growth, continuing as long as new shoots are forming. Pick the top 6–8 inches of growth (or pinch off stem tips) before flowers open for the best leaf flavor and aroma. If you see buds forming and the plant starts redirecting energy to flowering, begin harvesting more selectively to avoid reducing regrowth.