Thai Sweet Basil Seeds

Thai Sweet Basil Seeds – Easy To Grow, Heat Tolerant, Aromatic Herb
Ocimum basilicum
Listing is for 1 scoop = minimum 50 seeds

This basil grows so well especially here in the south. Leaves are dark green and glossy with purple stems. It smells wonderfully sweet in the garden and attracts bees. The flavor reminds me of clove or licorice. It pairs perfectly well with Asian inspired recipes, such a pho, spring rolls, or noodle stir-fry. This is a perennial plant in warmer climates where it doesn't get cold enough to kill the plant. My Thai basil grows into large bushes. I like to use it for chop and drop methods or add into compost since it produces so much bio mass. Keep trimming off flower spikes to encourage constant new growth. 

Follow me on social media because I talk a lot about the same seed varieties I sell here in my shop and gardening tips. IG, YT, and TikTok: jerrasgarden. 

Ideal Growing Conditions

Sun: Full Sun

Water: Allow the soil to dry out a little bit in-between watering.

Fertilizer: Herbs dont really need fertilizer. However, plants grow lush and green when given nitrogen, like organic blood meal. 

When & How To Sow Seeds: To direct sow, sprinkle a few seeds over the soil surface after all danger of frost has passed, pat down, cover with 1/4 inch of soil, and water in. Keep the soil moist and it will germinate quickly. Or if you prefer, sow a few seeds in a container, like a 4 inch pot or 72 cell seed tray. Transplant once the root system has developed and filled the container. Start fertilizing seedlings with a liquid fertilizer at half strength once the first set of true leaves appear. Not frost hardy. Perennial in warmer climates. 

Germination: 10-14 days

Days To Maturity: Around 2-3 months after direct sowing the seed or transplanting into the garden. 

How & When To Harvest: Pick stems/leaves as needed

Common Diseases: Thai basil is very disease resistant as it is acclimated to growing in very hot and humid conditions. It might get powdery mildew or other fungal issues in constantly wet conditions. Proper plant spacing to improve air flow, not watering overhead, and pruning out excess foilage helps. Spray with 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water every 3 to 5 days until you notice the spread has stopped.

Common Pests: Like all basils, Thai basil can get leaf blotch miners which are tiny moth or fly larvae that hatch inside basil leaves, creating white trails or black star burst shape blotches. Sprays don’t work because they live inside the leaf. Thankfully, the damage is mostly cosmetic and rarely harms the plant’s growth. To control them, remove the affected leaves, or prune heavily if the problem is severe so new healthy leaves can grow. Covering plants with row covers can help prevent adults from laying eggs on your basil.