Organic 'Amrita' Basil (Tulsi)

Organic 'Amrita (Tulsi)' basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) from Gaia seed company, a holy basil with a unique sweet fragrance and traditional medicinal uses

'Amrita' basil, also known as Holy Tulsi , forms a compact, bushy plant with bright green foliage tinged with purple , but it is above all its exceptionally sweet and delicate fragrance that immediately distinguishes it. Its aroma is unlike that of classic culinary basils : it is warm, rounded, almost honeyed , without any harshness, and is released intensely as soon as the plant is touched. This aromatic signature explains why it is primarily cultivated for infusions , rather than for savory dishes.

A central plant in Ayurvedic traditions, Tulsi is renowned for its high rosmarinic acid content and medicinal properties, used for centuries in daily infusions. Its abundant flowering, composed of small, nectar-rich blossoms, also makes it an exceptional pollinator , among the most active in the garden. Bees and other insects congregate there for extended periods from the time of flowering, often until the first cool weather, making it a plant as valuable for human health as it is for biodiversity .

Companion plants: Tomato, Pepper, Asparagus, Oregano, Purslane
Enemy plants: Rue

Spread/Habit: Bushy, compact
Plant height: 30 to 60 cm
Quantity per packet: Approximately 50 seeds
Certification: Certified organic
Special features: Holy basil (Tulsi), unique sweet fragrance, herbal tea, traditional medicinal properties, extremely attractive to bees and pollinators

Leaf color: Green with purple highlights
Texture/flavor: Tender leaves, sweet, mild and enveloping aroma
Cold tolerance: Sensitive to frost

Farming method

Sow the seeds 6 weeks before the last frost , at a depth of 0.6 cm , in a light, well-drained substrate. It is recommended to soak the seeds for up to 12 hours in lukewarm water to encourage even germination, which usually occurs in 8 to 14 days , at an ideal temperature of 23 to 29°C . Transplant outdoors or into containers after all risk of frost has passed, spacing the plants 30 to 45 cm apart.

'Amrita' basil prefers full sun (level 3) and moderate watering (level 2) . It grows very well in pots, allowing you to fully enjoy its sweet aroma every day.

Harvesting and preservation

Harvest the leaves regularly to encourage growth. Pinching the plant involves removing the tip of a stem just above a point where two leaves emerge. This promotes branching, slows flowering, and results in a denser plant. When the plant reaches about 15 cm (6 inches), cutting the main stems back to this height encourages vigorous new growth.
Flowering slightly alters the aroma of the leaves, but it is often intentionally retained for infusion and to intensely support pollinators .

For storage, keep the unwashed leaves in the refrigerator, around 0°C , as excessive humidity causes browning.

Usage ideas

• Sweet and soothing Tulsi infusions
• Drying leaves for herbal teas
• Medicinal and bee-friendly garden
• Growing plants in pots near passageways
• Harvesting the leaves and flowers

Holy basil 'Amrita (Tulsi)' is a unique plant , instantly recognizable by its enveloping, sweet fragrance , profoundly different from culinary basil varieties. A medicinal plant , an infusion plant , and a magnet for pollinators , it occupies a special place in the garden, beneficial to both body and all living things.