DESCRIPTION
Thai Basil Herb Garden Planting Seed
Thai Basil Growing Habits
Open-pollinated Thai Basil herb plants (Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora) reach 12-18" tall as their glossy dark-green leaves develop 1-2." As mid-to-late summer approaches, sweet Thai Basil plants grow closely together as their deep-purple stems begin to flower. While Thai Basil herbs are able to easily reseed, this variety grows a bountiful crop that loves to spread in the heat and dies back once the first frost arrives. Thai Basil Herbs also prefer to have their dried flowers cut back and will produce more lush leaves before harvesting.
Non-culinary Uses for Thai Basil Herb Seed
Thai Basil is often grown for ornamental uses by giving deep-purple colors and a minty scent to your overall garden. Thai Basil also makes a great natural soap by mixing liquid glycerin with your minced-up fresh herbs, then pouring it into a mold to saponify and harden for up to 48 hours. Add some essential oils such as lemon. As aromatherapy, Thai Basil leaves can be placed underneath your eyes or massaged onto your temples to help relieve stress.
Basil has been cultivated into many different varieties as an ultimate hybrid herb. It's useful to note how in general, basil can be classified as either sweet or unsweet. The more common types are sweet basils, such as Thai Basil. A variety that would be considered less sweet is lemon basil.
Benefits of Thai Basil Herb Seed
As a sweet basil variety a part of the mint family, Thai Basil compliments savory and spicy dishes such as Indian curries or pho, a Vietnamese soup. While cooking, the leaves of Thai Basil can withstand the heat better than other types of sweet basil. Although Thai Basil is a sweet cultivar, this herb is known for its licorice flavor and aroma, which can be added on top of a fresh tomato salad.
ATTRIBUTES
Basic Info
Thai Basil Herb Color: |
Deep-purple stems, glossy dark-green leaves |
Flavor: |
Licorice, slightly sweet and minty |
Growing Info
Days to Maturity: |
50+ (leaves) 75+ (ornamental) |
Hardiness Zones: |
9-11 Perennial, 3-9 Annual |
Planting Depth: |
1/4 Inches |
Plant Spacing: |
8-18 Inches |
Growth Habit: |
Upright |
Soil Preference: |
Rich, moist and well-drained |
Temp Preference: |
Warmer |
Light Preference: |
Full sun |
Other
Thai Basil Latin Name: |
Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflorum |
Pests/diseases: |
Japanese beetles, slugs, and fusarium wilt |