Botanical profile

Basil 'Siam Queen Thai'

Latin name
Ocimum basilicum 'Siam Queen'
Common name
Thai Basil 'Siam Queen'
Type
Annual
Family
Lamiaceae

‘Siam Queen Thai’ basil is a fragrant annual herb, known for its typical Thai basil flavor with spicy, anise, and slightly sweet notes. Its dark green foliage, purple stems, and mauve flower spikes also give it great ornamental value in pots, herb planters, urban gardens, and edible flowerbeds. It is an ideal variety for lovers of Asian cuisine, as it retains its aroma well in hot dishes such as stir-fries, curries, soups, marinades, and noodle dishes.

Easy to grow, ‘Siam Queen Thai’ basil prefers a warm, sunny, and wind-protected location, in fertile, light, and well-drained soil. It grows very well in containers on a terrace, balcony, or near the kitchen, where its leaves can be harvested fresh as needed. Regular watering helps maintain tender and flavorful foliage, while avoiding excess water around the roots. To prolong the harvest, it is recommended to pinch the tips of the stems and remove some of the flowers if the main goal is leaf production.

Both aromatic, decorative, and very productive, ‘Siam Queen Thai’ basil is an excellent choice for creating a gourmet garden with more exotic flavors. Its flowers attract pollinators and add a colorful touch to edible arrangements, while its fragrant foliage allows you to cook fresh and flavorful dishes throughout the season. It is an essential variety to enrich a vegetable garden, herb garden, or sunny container with a useful, elegant, and characterful plant.

Care guide

Care level
Easy

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Spicy Thai flavor with notes of anise and decorative purple blossoms
Vegetable garden, herbs, balcony, container, Asian cuisine
Container growing
Excellent container plant in a well-drained pot
Seasonal care
Pinch regularly to promote dense growth; harvest leaves as needed and protect from cold
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Not hardy
Exposure
Full sun
Watering
Regular; keep the soil slightly moist without waterlogging
Humidity
Average humidity; prefers warm, well-drained soil
Fertilization
Light and regular fertilization when potted; avoid excess nitrogen
Soil type
Fertile, light, warm, and well-drained soil
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral
Minimum temperature
10°C
Propagation method
Sowing or cuttings
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Harvest and bloom from summer to autumn
Flower color
Purplish-mauve
Foliage color
Deep green with purplish stems
Foliage type
Persistent in hot climates
Shape
Upright bushy habit
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches)
Width
30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches)
Growth rate
Rapid growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cilantro
Plants to avoid
Rue, sage, and plants that prefer very dry soils.
Spacing
30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches)
Harvest period
Leaves from spring to autumn
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

Butterflies
Plants that attract butterflies

Butterflies

Repellent
Helps repel certain pests

Repellent

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.