Sultana

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Sultana to a garden.

Aromatic and luminous, Sultana Thai Basil fills the garden with a sweet, spicy perfume—cool anise-coolness meeting warm clove and citrus-green brightness.

At maturity, its tender leaves form an upright, branching habit with a satiny sheen and a gently serrated edge, offering a delicate bite that shines in fresh applications and quick stir-ins, as well as fragrant sauces and herb-forward garnishes. Grow Sultana for a steady harvest rhythm and a bold, unmistakable basil character that elevates every bowl it graces.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Upright

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Sultana 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 18th	Jul 13th	Aug 27th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	May 11th	Jul 6th	Aug 20th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	May 1st	Jun 26th	Aug 10th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	May 1st	Jun 26th	Aug 10th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	May 5th	Jun 30th	Aug 14th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	May 1st	Jun 26th	Aug 10th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 29th	Jun 24th	Aug 8th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 24th	Jun 19th	Aug 3rd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 20th	Jun 15th	Jul 30th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 17th	Jun 12th	Jul 27th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Apr 11th	Jun 6th	Jul 21st – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Apr 6th	Jun 1st	Jul 16th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 27th	May 22nd	Jul 6th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 18th	May 13th	Jun 27th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Mar 9th	May 4th	Jun 18th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 20th	Apr 17th	Jun 1st – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 26th	Mar 23rd	May 7th – 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)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Sultana Thai basil is built for late heat—its cool anise and clove warmth stay luminous when you treat it like a finisher, not a simmering ingredient. Chop finely and scatter generously: the tender leaf gives that satiny, gently serrated bite that perfumes whatever it touches.

Best Uses

quick stir-ins at the end of a wok so the anise-citrus stays bright
Thai-style herb garnish on noodles and grilled proteins
fast blitzed basil-citrus oil or fragrant pesto-style sauce
muddled into cold drinks or syrups where its perfume cuts sweetness

Flavor Profile

sweet-spicy basil aroma cool anise-citrus lift clove-like warmth tender leaf bite

Kitchen Pairings

lime garlic chili fish sauce coconut milk lemongrass

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases most often hit Ocimum basilicum (sultana basil), and how can I manage them at home?

The most common issues are downy mildew (yellow spots on top with fuzzy growth underneath) and aphids that cluster on new shoots. Remove infected leaves early and avoid overhead watering; water at the base in the morning to keep foliage dry. For aphids, spray with a strong stream of water and repeat every 2–3 days for about a week, or use insecticidal soap if colonies persist.

How often should I water Ocimum basilicum during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture target should I aim for?

During active growth, keep soil consistently lightly moist—aim for the top 1 inch to dry slightly between waterings. In full sun, this usually means watering every 2–4 days, but adjust so the plant never sits in soggy soil. If basil wilts and stems droop but the soil is still damp, reduce watering immediately to prevent root stress and fungal problems.

When is Ocimum basilicum ready to harvest (and how do I harvest to keep plants producing)?

Harvest when plants are about 6–8 weeks old and just before flowering, typically around day 45, when leaves are fully sized and the plant has multiple sets of leaves. Pinch or cut above a leaf pair (don’t harvest too low), taking no more than about one-third of the plant at a time. Regular harvesting encourages branching, so you’ll get more leaf growth over the next several weeks.