Basil is Tulasi?

They are of the same family but not the same. Not at all the same. You can find Indian Tulsi in temples. I have ordered mine through a nursery but it died.

 

Basil is not Tulasi; It is very easy to get Tulasi if you are near the temple. Most temples have Tulasi plants and they are easy to propagate. Also sold in indian/asian shops seasonal.

 

Holy Basil is Thulasi. The other basils like Thai Basil etc are related to our Thulasi. Make sure you give it sunlight during winter.

 

If its holy basil, just sprinkle turmeric water, and do not add any chemicals to it.

Holy basil gets infected quickly, so do not add too much water or let it dry. My holy basil was 2 years old, and she died due to scorching heat.

So always do not place it in too much heat, and it should get minimum sunlight. It's better not to keep @ terrace , and you could place it on balcony where minimum sunlight passes.

I use water sprayer and for basil alone, I used to add turmeric water in sprayer.

 

Sweet basil used in western cooking is Ocimum basilicum.
The Indian tulsi is Ocimum tenuiflorum.
So, same genus, but different species.

As for cultivating the plant, you might try this site:
Growing Basil - Learn How to Grow Basil Easily!

 

no amount of care could save my tulsis over the years in winters. I buy in summer and in winter they die. I coud save all the other indoor plants though.

 

I feel Indian moderate temperature and conditions suit Tulasi more.
Hence, its easily seen grown in India.
However, extreme climate makes it difficult for Tulasi or similar species Basil to survive.

 

Dear ILites,

Is it possible to grow Tulasi in california? Will it survive winter in CA? i dont want to grow if in case it cant survive winter and then see it dying... i saw tulasi saplings being sold in indian stores in small pots.

One more question, can we grow it in the same small pot or shud we shift it to a bigger pot?