Back
Skip to product information
Holy Basil
  • Holy Basil
  • Holy Basil
Holy Basil

Holy Basil

Ocimum tenuiflorum

Holy Basil, also known as Tulsi, is one of the most sacred plants in India, revered for its spiritual, medicinal, and culinary importance. Its fragrant leaves have a distinct clove-like flavour with a hint of peppery spice, making it a unique addition to teas, herbal blends, and traditional dishes. In Ayurveda, Tulsi is celebrated as an adaptogen, helping the body adapt to stress while supporting overall vitality and immunity. This plant not only brings beauty and fragrance to the garden but also attracts pollinators and provides an abundance of healing uses.

Where Can You Grow
Holy Basil thrives in full sun and warm conditions. While it is an annual in Canada, it grows vigorously throughout the summer in gardens, containers, or greenhouses.

History and Historical Uses
Tulsi has been cultivated for over 3,000 years across Asia, where it is considered “the Queen of Herbs.” In Hindu traditions, it is planted near homes and temples as a symbol of protection, health, and devotion. Medicinally, it has long been used to soothe coughs, colds, and digestive troubles, while modern studies highlight its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and adaptogenic properties.

Canadian Zone Information

  • Zones 3–5: Grow as a summer annual; start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost.
  • Zones 6–10: Can be grown outdoors after frost with excellent yields.

How to Grow and Harvest

  • Soil: Prefers rich, well-drained soil.
  • Sowing: Start indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost, or direct sow once soil warms.
  • Spacing: Plant 20–30 cm apart.
  • Harvesting: Begin harvesting young leaves when plants reach 20 cm tall; regular picking encourages bushy growth. Leaves are best used fresh or dried for teas.

Seed Saving Tips for Future Supply

  • Pollination: Holy Basil is pollinated by bees and other insects.
  • Isolation: To maintain purity, separate from other basil varieties by 150 m.
  • Seed Collection: Allow flower spikes to mature and dry before collecting seeds. Store in a cool, dry place where they remain viable for up to 5 years.

Certified Organic By
Islands Organic Producers Association (Cert#1962)
$4.76 CAD
In Stock

≈ 631 seeds | 1g (0.04oz)

Growing Information
Common Name Holy Basil
Scientific Name Ocimum tenuiflorum
Seed Count 631
Metric Weight 1 g
Imperial Weight 0.04 oz
Height 0.3-0.6m (1-2ft)
Spread 0.3-0.6m (1-2ft)
Canadian Zone Information 4-9
Growing Difficulty Easy
Product Reviews
Have a Question?

We (a small farm) ship every week, on Wednesday!

Pick up available from our farm stand 542 Wootton Road, Metchosin

100% Canadian Grown in Metchosin, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada.

Processed-By-Hand

Certified Organic

Open Pollinated

Non-GMO

Frequently asked questions
Do you do sell at the farm?

No.

We do have a farmstand that is open during the season: March/April through to June/July
Will my order have tracking?

Maybe.

We ship all seed packages using Letter Mail through Canada Post.

However, if you order any Sprays, Bouquets, Root Stock, or Tubers; we automatically add protected shipping in a prepaid Canada Post box. These have a tracking number.
How much does shipping cost?

Save $20 when you spend $200

All our shipping fees include a handling fee

$7 Small Envelope 

Orders 0g–7gup to 3 seed packages

$8 Medium Envelope

Orders 8g–15gup to 7 seed packages or ~ 1 Forager Pet Mix

$9 Large Envelope

Orders 16g–21gup to 10 seed packages and/or~ 1-2 Forager Pet Mix and/or rootstock/cutting

$13 Tiny Parcel

Orders 22g–44gup to 22 seed packages and/or~ 1-2 Forager Pet Mix and/or rootstock/cutting

$16 Extra Small Parcel

Orders 45g–135gSeed packages and/or~ 1-5 Forager Pet Mix/spray and/or rootstock/cutting

If you spend $200 this actually becomes free shipping with a $4 discount.

$19 Small Parcel

Orders 136g–500gSeed packages and/or ~ 1-5 Forager Pet Mix/spray and/or rootstock/cutting and/or 1 Tuber or JA

If you spend $200 this actually becomes free shipping with a $1 discount.

$22 Medium Parcel

Orders 501g–1400gSeed packages and/or ~ 1-5 Forager Pet Mix/spray and/or rootstock/cutting and/or 1-3 Tuber or JA

If you spend $200 this actually becomes $2.

$25 Large parcel

Orders 1401g–2500gSeed packages and/or ~ 1-5 Forager Pet Mix/spray and/or rootstock/cutting and/or 1-5 Tuber or JA

If you spend $200 this actually becomes $5.

$30 Extra Large Parcel

Orders 2501g and up

Anything your heart desires.

If you spend $200 this actually becomes $10.
What is your Customer Satisfaction policy?

We guarantee germination up to 75% on all our seeds in proper conditions.

That means we will replace them.

We make no guarantees on our Forager Pet products, other than that they are safe for the animals listed. But do reach out if your pet isn't happy.

Mistakes happen and can be fixed. So missing items, wrong items, or even damaged items can be replaced.

We will always work with you to find an appropriate solution.

Customer Satisfaction Policy
How long does shipping take?

Letter Mail can take up to 5-6 weeks.

Parcels can take up to 1-2 weeks.

We ship Wednesdays which can also lead to delays.
Are all your products 100% Canadian?

Yes. All our products are grown in Metchosin BC or foraged from surrounding forests.
What is your refund policy?

We are a resolution first small business. That means we would love for you to be happy with our products.

However, if you want to return or refund, this can be done.

Refund Policy

You May Also Like

What are people saying about us?

4.49 ★ (133)
Verified