Tulsi Wildlife

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Aromatic and alive with an unmistakable, gently peppery tulsi fragrance, ‘Tulsi Wildlife’ fills the garden air with a cool, green lift as the leaves mature.

The foliage forms dense, upright clumps of small, glossy leaves with a tender, velvety texture—ideal for gathering at peak freshness. Grow it for bold herbal flavor in fragrant teas and infusions, and for vibrant pesto-style sauces, finishing oils, and pickling brines where its signature aroma shines.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Tulsi Wildlife

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Tulsi Wildlife 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	Jun 29th	Aug 28th – Jul 15th
Zone 1b	Apr 20th	Jun 15th	Aug 14th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 13th	Jun 8th	Aug 7th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	May 29th	Jul 28th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	May 29th	Jul 28th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	Jun 2nd	Aug 1st – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	May 29th	Jul 28th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	May 27th	Jul 26th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	May 22nd	Jul 21st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	May 18th	Jul 17th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	May 15th	Jul 14th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	May 9th	Jul 8th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	May 4th	Jul 3rd – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	Apr 24th	Jun 23rd – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	Apr 15th	Jun 14th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	Apr 6th	Jun 5th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	Mar 20th	May 19th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Feb 23rd	Apr 24th – 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

This tulsi basil leans more peppery and cooling than sweet basil, so it shines when you treat it like fragrance—short steep times, off-heat blends, and fast reductions. The tender, velvety leaves bruise into a vivid herbal aroma, making it a natural choice for teas, pesto, and brines where you want the scent to stay loud.

Best Uses

tulsi-heavy pesto or pistou where you want a fragrant, peppery edge
infusions/teas—steep briefly for a clean, minty-herbal aroma
finishing oils or quick pan sauces: add off-heat to keep the perfume bright
pickling brines where the leaves need to keep their fragrant character

Flavor Profile

cool, green basil with a gently peppery snap tulsi-like clove-eucalyptus herbal lift tender, velvety leaves that bruise aromatic

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic olive oil ginger honey plain yogurt

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Ocimum tenuiflorum (holy basil), and how do I manage it?

Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is commonly hit by downy mildew and leaf spots in humid weather, which causes yellowing and dark lesions on leaves. Remove and discard infected leaves, water at the soil line (not the foliage), and improve airflow by spacing plants so leaves don’t stay wet. If problems keep recurring, use a labeled organic fungicide and repeat as directed on the label, especially after humid/rainy periods.

How often should I water Ocimum tenuiflorum during its main growing phase?

During active growth, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for light moisture at the top 1 inch while allowing good drainage. In full sun, this usually means watering about 1–2 times per week, increasing to more frequent watering during hot spells. Avoid letting pots dry out completely between waterings, which can stress plants and reduce leaf flush.

How can I tell when holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants are about 8–12 weeks old (often around day ~60) and have plentiful healthy side shoots with leaves at least a couple inches long. Pinch or snip the top 2–4 sets of leaves, ideally before flowering to keep flavor strong and encourage bushy regrowth. If flower buds begin forming, start harvesting more regularly to maintain tender leaf growth.