How to Grow Tulsi from Seeds: Soil, Plant Protection from Cold, Indoor, and Outdoor Growing Tips

Tulsi is a sacred plant in Hinduism, known for its healing and meditative effects. It can be cultivated in pots and is a common sight in many religious households. Rama Tulsi and Krishna Tulsi are two of more than a hundred types of Tulsi that are often planted in Indian families because of their large, broad leaves. Let’s check out how to grow Tulsi from seeds.

Tulsi plants can be purchased from a nursery, but they can also be grown from seed. It’s as simple as picking off the flower heads of a plant and throwing them away. Soon enough, you’ll be able to see them emerging through the soil. They’ll germinate in about a week if you maintain the soil wet and keep them exposed to sunlight.

How to grow Tulsi at home

Select the ideal location for growing the tulsi plant

When planting Tulsi, make sure it gets enough sunshine and can be watered often. Tulsi grows best on the east side of your house. The best area to position it is in the northeast corner of the home, bringing in good energy. It’s possible that moving it to the south will have the opposite effect and cause a loss. It is recommended that you place your tulsi plant on a raised platform higher than your home’s foundation. A clutter-free location is ideal for planting Tulsi.

How to grow tulsi from seeds?

Six to 12 weeks before the final frost, tulsi seeds should be planted inside. Because tulsi is a tropical plant, it must be maintained in a room with a temperature of at least 70 degrees to germinate. Consider utilizing a seedling heat pad if your residence is particularly cold. It’s essential to keep the soil consistently wet but not soggy. About three weeks after planting, the seedlings will begin to sprout.

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Frost-sensitive plants should not be transplanted outside until several weeks following the latest frost date. Even so, it’s a good idea to bring them inside at night for a week or two before putting them in the garden full-time to become used to the new environment. Another approach is to use cold frames. Finally, indoor tulsi should be placed in a south-facing window for at least 4-6 hours of direct sunshine every day if you want it to thrive.

How to grow the tulsi plant from cuttings?

Want to know how to grow tulsi plants without seeds? Cuttings of tulsi will also grow quickly. First, pick a tulsi stem from a mature plant using a pair of fine garden shears. Make sure you remove all the flowers and most of the leaves. To keep the cutting fresh, place it in a glass of water near a sunny window. Change water often to prevent mold and stagnation. In a few weeks, the cutting should take root.

Sunlight requirements for growing Tulsi

Although tulsi plants can initially grow in low light, as their height increases, they need more sunshine, so 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day is ideal for them. Ensure that the direct sun is on your tulsi plant to obtain bright green and healthy tulsi leaves. Also, tulsi plants enjoy the sunlight.

How to grow Tulsi in pots indoors?

Select the potting mix for growing the Tulsi indoors

Tulsi, often known as the basil plant, prefers the soil to drain well. Tulsi can thrive in any well-drained soil, although it prefers sandy loam. Clayey soil is not ideal since it inhibits leaf formation by preventing water from evaporating from the soil. Maintain the pH from 6 to 7.6, which is perfect for growing this plant.

Allowing the soil to partially dry between waterings helps speed up leaf production in the Tuli plant. Fungi can develop on the roots of overwatered plants, eventually killing them. Ensure that the potting mix you choose for your tulsi plant meets these requirements.

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Plant the Tulsi seeds in pots

Fill a shallow container, such as a seed flat, with potting mix. The soil should be moistened with room-temperature water. Tulsi seeds should be sown around 1/4-inch deep. If using a plastic bag, secure the bag with a rubber band before placing the container inside.

Water and fertilizer requirements for Tulsi plant

When the tulsi plants outgrow the smaller pots, move them into 6-inch deep containers with holes in the bottoms. Whenever the potting soil surface starts to dry up a little, it’s time to water them. After the water has flowed through, remove the catch saucer beneath the tulsi plants and empty it. The containers should not be left submerged in water. A liquid plant fertilizer with a 5-10-5 ratio should be given to them every four to six weeks at half the manufacturer’s dilution rate.

How to grow Tulsi plant in the backyard?

Soil requirements for growing Tulsi in the backyard

Tulsi thrives on well-drained, loamy, and rich soil. You can grow it best on soils that range from a pH of 6 to 7.5, which is slightly acidic to neutral.

Planting Tulsi in the backyard

Seeds should be planted in the soil in the late spring or early summer, when the temperature is 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, sow the seeds inside, in a greenhouse or on a warm, sunny windowsill, to get a head start on the growing season in spring. To ensure optimal seed-to-soil contact, push down the tulsi seeds on top of the soil and cover them with compost.

Spray the seeds with a watering can and plant them in a location that is both warm and shady. You’ll have to wait between two and two and a half weeks for the seeds to germinate. Then, seedlings should be gently transplanted when they have two or three pairs of genuine leaves, taking care not to disrupt the roots.

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Watering requirements for Tulsi plant in the backyard

The tulsi plant thrives in arid and semi-arid climates and requires little water for its growth. Tulsi plants can die if they are overwatered, so be sure to water them only when the upper layer is dry to touch and only on alternating days in the summer and the winter.

Fertilizer requirements for growing Tulsi plants

Tulsi/basil plant growth depends heavily on fertilizer; thus, fertilizer is a given if the plant is in a container. Tulsi/basil plants need to be given fertilizer every 25 to 35 days to develop quickly and absorb all of the nutrients from the soil in the pot. In addition, Tulsi and basil plants need organic fertilizer, such as vermicompost or decomposed cow manure.

Tulsi/basil plants can take nutrients from the soil by simply tilling the top 1 to 2 inches of soil and then adding organic fertilizer and water. Giving organic fertilizer is beneficial since we will be consuming tulsi leaves, and organic fertilizer will aid in the healthier and longer-lasting development of the plant.

Pest and disease management in Tulsi plant

The Tulsi plant is more vulnerable to insect and pest infestation during the wet and winter seasons. It’s not uncommon to deal with spider mites in your home. Spider mites are most active during the winter months because they like a dry climate. The spider mites are kept at bay by misting the leaves with ice-cold water. Neem oil can also keep pests and insects away from the plant.

There are many different kinds of neem oil sprays to choose from. There is also a bacteria that infects tulsi leaves, which also causes a leaf infection. It’s caused by overwatering in certain plant areas, resulting in stem rot. To rescue your plant, you can also employ chemical sprays. That being said, it’s not good for the soil. As a result, it is not recommended since many people eat the plant’s leaves straight.

How to prune the tulsi plant?

This plant grows additional branches as time goes on. Trim or cut away from the side branches to make the tulsi plant bushy. You should also take the branch with the leaves when you remove them for use. However, you should not just remove the leaves. Leaving the branch on the plant consumes energy and generates nothing, so you should remove the bare branch. Otherwise, this energy would be utilized to grow new leaves.

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How to harvest the Tulsi plant?

Tiny amounts of basil can be harvested as soon as the plants are 6-8″ tall. Prune and harvest your plants simultaneously by pinching the growth tips back by one or two sets of leaves. If you want a larger harvest, wait until the plants are at least one foot tall and have fully developed their bushy stems.

Small to medium-sized harvests are optimal, but you can take up to half of the leaves at any time, as long as you’re regular. Garden snips or sharp scissors can remove basil stems from the plant. Trim the stem to the desired length by snipping just above a node. Your plant’s stems will get stronger and denser due to these tiny new leaves.

Winter care for Tulsi plant

Wondering how to take care of and grow tulsi seeds in winter? Follow the given instructions. The plant may rot as a result of the drop in temperature. In chilly areas, keep the plant inside in a location that receives at least four hours of sunshine each day. In USDA zones below 10, you should move your plant inside if the temperature gets down below 10 degrees Celsius.

Tips for growing tulsi plant

Tulsi thrives on cow dung waste and Epsom salt as fertilizer
Never water your plants daily; instead, water them twice a week for the first month, then once a week after checking the soil’s moisture level
Seeds should be soaked, and the soil should be kept wet for rapid tulsi plant germination
Tulasi seeds germinate around 7 to 15 days, depending on the variety
Tulsi plants will grow quicker if kept warm and in full sunshine
The plant’s growth is aided by the abundance of nutrients in the soil
During the germination process, you can water the soil using a spray bottle
In addition to storing the seeds in the refrigerator, you can also freeze them

Frequently asked questions about Tulsi plant (FAQ)

Which is best to plant Tulsi at home?

The ideal day of the week to begin a Tulsi plant inside is Thursday. However, Tulsi planting is regarded especially auspicious during the Kartik maas, usually in late October or early November each year.

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How to grow the Tulsi plant fast?

Tulsi plants thrive best in a warm, sunny atmosphere because the higher temperature stimulates the plant’s development and accelerates its growth rate. Tulsi plant absorbs most of its nutrients during the first three months of its life. Therefore, fertile soil is beneficial for its rapid growth. Additionally, pinching encourages the production of growth hormones in other branches, resulting in a bushier tulsi or basil plant. These tips can make tulsi plants grow fast.

What is the lifespan of the Tulsi plant?

Tulsi is expected to live for about 1.5 years. Because it thrives in full sun, this perennial plant is best grown in the summer months when at least six to eight hours of daylight.

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