Holy Basil (Tulsi) Seeds Seeds Piccolo Seeds
Holy Basil (Tulsi) Seeds — Default Title
Holy Basil (Tulsi) Seeds Seeds Piccolo Seeds

Holy Basil (Tulsi) Seeds

£2.99

FREE tracked delivery on orders over £60

Complete the set up
Description

Holy basil, or tulsi, has a warm, clove-and-pepper scent quite unlike sweet basil, and it is the plant behind tulsi tea. Ocimum tenuiflorum makes a bushy plant with soft, slightly hairy green leaves and slender spikes of small, pale flowers. Steep the fresh or dried leaves for a fragrant herbal tea, or cook them the Thai way in pad kra pao, where its peppery heat earns it the name hot basil. Bees love the flowers, so let a stem or two bloom. It grows happily in a pot on a sunny windowsill, greenhouse or sheltered patio.

Sowing and growing

  • Sow indoors March to May at about 20 to 25°C; it needs warmth to germinate
  • Sow on the surface or cover very lightly, no more than 5 mm
  • Germination takes 7 to 14 days
  • Plant out or move outdoors only from June, after the last frost, into a warm, sunny, sheltered spot
  • Grows to around 60 cm tall and wide
  • Pick leaves from about six weeks after sowing; pinch tips often to keep it bushy
  • Perennial in the tropics but frost tender, so grown as an annual in the UK

Browse our full range of herb and flower seeds, or try other spice-garden plants in our exotic edibles collection.

Delivery & returns

Order by 1pm Monday to Friday for same day dispatch. Every plant travels in protective, plant-safe packaging with tracked delivery.

Changed your mind? See our Return Policy.

Best quality plants guaranteed
7 day live arrival guarantee
Delivered to your door with care
Earn 14 points with this plant · 5 points per £1 Join free
In their words

What our customers say

Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.

Emily P.

Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.

James R.

Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.

Sophie L.
Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I grow holy basil in the UK?

Yes, as a summer annual. Start it indoors in warmth from March to May and keep it on a sunny windowsill or in a greenhouse, moving it outside only once nights stay mild in June. It will not survive frost.

How do I make tulsi tea from my plants?

Pick a small handful of fresh leaves and flower tips, pour over just-boiled water and steep for five minutes. You can also dry the leaves on a tray in a warm, airy room and store them in a jar for winter.

What is the difference between holy basil and Thai basil?

They are different species. Thai basil is a form of sweet basil with an aniseed note, while holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) has a spicier, clove-like flavour and is the basil used for tulsi tea and pad kra pao.

What is your returns policy?

We always aim to make sure our customers love our products, but if you do need to return an order within 14 days of purchase (not including plants*), or any items are damaged, we’re happy to help. Just email us directly at hello@growtropicals.com, and we’ll take you through the process. 

Please note: we cannot be held liable for any packaging costs should the original packaging be discarded.

*Unfortunately we cannot accept returns of undamaged plants as these are perishable items and are not saleable upon return. If a plant is damaged, we will compensate for this as per our live arrival guarantee.

When will my order arrive and how much is shipping?

When placing your order, you can choose from three dispatch speeds to suit your needs: Economy (prepared and shipped within 4-5 days), Standard (3-5 days), or Express (dispatched the very next day). Please keep in mind that "dispatch" refers to the time it takes our team to prepare and pack your items before handing them over to the courier, not the total delivery time.

Shipping costs are based on your total order value and will be calculated at checkout, with free shipping automatically applied to all orders over £60. For a full breakdown of shipping prices see our Help Centre.

Additionally, to protect the health and quality of our live plants, orders containing plants are exclusively shipped Monday through Thursday. This careful scheduling prevents your plants from being stuck in a dark shipping depot over the weekend, ensuring they arrive at your door vibrant and healthy.

Why Grow Tropicals

Plants delivered the way they deserve

Packaged with Care

Packaged with Care

Every order is hand-packed in eco-friendly, protective packaging - refined through thousands of deliveries to ensure your plant arrives healthy, hydrated, and looking its best.

Backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

Perfect for Gifting

Perfect for Gifting

From rare collector’s pieces to easy-care favourites, our plants arrive fully potted and ready to enjoy. Add a personalised note at checkout for a thoughtful finishing touch.

Delivered fresh, beautiful, and gift-ready.

Sustainability at Heart

Sustainability at Heart

All plants are ethically sourced from trusted growers, never wild-collected. Every order ships carbon-neutral in minimal-waste packaging.

Good for your home - and the planet.

Verified reviews

Rated by real customers

You may also like

We recommend

Holy Basil (Tulsi) Seeds
£2.99