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Thai Basil

Gardening Guide: The Basil Grower’s Guide: All You Need to Know About Growing and Cooking with Basil

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Thai Basil

In this Plant Profile, get specific details, including the characteristics and best uses of Thai Basil, one of our Plant Profiles featured in our Basil Collection.

By Norann Oleson

Thai Basil

Thai Basil

Thai basil has a sweet, anise-like scent and hints of licorice, along with a slight spiciness that is lacking in traditional sweet basil, although Thai basil is simply another variety of sweet basil. Native to Southeast Asia, Thai basil has been specifically cultivated for its distinctive spicy flavor and its ability to remain stable under high or extended cooking temperatures, unlike traditional sweet basil. Thai basil plants are sturdy and compact and require well-drained soil.

Sun Exposure

  • Full sun (six to eight hours)

Soil pH

  • 6.5 to 7.5

Hardiness Zones

  • 4 to 8 as an annual
  • 9 to 11 as a perennial

Spacing

  • 8 to 18 inches apart

Moisture

  • Water 1 inch per week
  • Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy

Notes

  • Grows up to 1 1/2 feet tall
  • Shiny green, slightly serrated, narrow leaves
  • Purple square stem with pink-purple flowers that should be pinched to prevent the leaves from becoming bitter
  • Can be grown from seeds or cuttings
  • Great for cooking in Asian dishes, such as Thai, Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian dishes—think curries and drunken noodles

Do you grow Thai basil? If so, please tell us your top tips for ensuring a bountiful harvest and how you cook with Thai basil.

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basil

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Curator’s Corner
  • Introduction
  • Feature Articles

  • Choosing Varieties of Basil Plants
  • Growing Basil from Seeds, Cuttings or Seedlings
  • Growing Basil Indoors, in Open Land, in Raised Beds, or in Containers
  • Starting with the Right Soil for Your Basil Plants
  • The Right Sunlight for Your Basil Plants
  • Watering Your Basil Plants
  • How to Spot, Treat, and Prevent Basil-Plant Diseases
  • What to Do About Pests that Can Harm Your Basil Plants
  • Essential Tools and Equipment for Growing and Enjoying Basil
  • Plant Profiles

  • Cinnamon Basil
  • Lemon Basil
  • Purple Basil
  • Green Ruffles Basil
  • Thai Basil
  • Sweet Basil
  • Recipes

  • Basil Ice Cream
  • Basil-Potato Frittata
  • Easy Capellini with Basil and Tomatoes
  • Roasted Tomato-Basil Soup
  • Basil-Lemon Grilled Chicken
  • Basil-Watermelon Salad
  • Basil Pesto
  • Additional Articles

  • Nutrition Facts about Basil
  • Home Remedies & Health Benefits of Basil
  • Resources about Basil
  • Basil Glossary
  • Related Articles

  • How Much Water Does Basil Need?
  • 10 Helpful Plants for Bug Control in Your Kitchen Garden
  • An Edible Plant that Deters Mosquitoes for Your Vegetable Garden
  • 5 Different Types of Basil Gardeners and Chefs Love
  • The Basil Grower’s Guide—All You Need to Know About Growing and Cooking with Basil

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