How to grow Thai Basil

Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora

Keep well watered and fertilized. Pinch growing tips to force it to grow bushy. Keep flowers pinched off for best leaf production. This plant seems to prefer hot, humid conditions.

Growing Thai Basil from seed

Easiest to grow from cuttings. Put a cutting in water after removing some lower leaves. The nodes will grow roots in water. When roots are more than an inch long, pot it in soil.

Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.12 inches (0.3 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 15°C / 59°F to ensure good germination.

By our calculations*, you should look at sowing Thai Basil about 42 days before your last frost date .

Transplanting Thai Basil

Plant out when air and soil temperatures are warm.

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Thai Basil is a tender plant.

Harvesting Thai Basil

Cut and come again.

How long does Thai Basil take to grow?

These estimates for how long Thai Basil takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Thai Basil to germinate?
7 days

Average 7 days | Min 3 days | Max 18 days (35)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Thai Basil?
+ 30 days

Average 30 days | Min 21 days | Max 62 days (7)

Days to Maturity How long until Thai Basil is ready for harvest / bloom?
+ 92 days

Average 92 days | Min 74 days | Max 110 days (8)

Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Thai Basil?
= 129 days

When should I plant Thai Basil?

Our when to plant Thai Basil estimates are relative to your last frost date.

When to sow The number of days to sow Thai Basil before or after your last frost date.
42 days before Last Frost Date

Other names for Thai Basil

Horapha, bai horapha (Thai), โหระพา (Thai)

Ocimum basilicum var. horapha, Ocimum basilicum 'Horapha', Ocimum tenuiflorum

Footnotes


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