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Can Tulsi Plant Be Grown Indoors

Can Tulsi Plant Be Grown Indoors in Cold Climates?

Can Tulsi Plant Be Grown Indoors

 

The Tulsi plant, often referred to as the “Holy Basil,” holds a revered place in Indian households for its religious and medicinal significance.

While it thrives effortlessly in the warm and tropical climates of India, many enthusiasts wonder if this sacred plant can grow indoors in cooler regions or foreign countries. The good news is that with proper care and the right conditions, growing Tulsi indoors in cooler climates is absolutely achievable.


Can Tulsi Plant Be Grown Indoors
Healthy Tulsi plant in indoor place
Pic credit: FB

Understanding Tulsi’s Natural Habitat

 

Tulsi is a tropical plant native to India. It flourishes in warm climates with ample sunlight, temperatures between 20–35°C  and moderate humidity levels.

Despite its natural preference for warm environments, the adaptability of the Tulsi plant allows it to grow indoors in cooler regions when its fundamental needs are met.


Key Factors for Growing Tulsi Indoors in Cool Climates

 

1. Temperature for Tulsi plant

 

Tulsi is highly sensitive to frost and low temperatures.

In cool places or foreign countries, maintaining an indoor temperature between 18–25°C is crucial for its survival.

  • Placing the plant near a heat source during winter, but away from direct drafts or cold windows, helps ensure optimal growth.

2. Adequate Sunlight for Tulsi plant

 

Tulsi requires at least 5-6 hours of sunlight daily to thrive.

Can Tulsi Plant Grow Indoors
Tulsi plant in grow light in Denmark
P.C. – FB

For indoor setups in cooler climates:

  • Place the plant near a south-facing window to maximize sunlight exposure.
  • Use LED grow lights if natural light is insufficient, ensuring the plant receives 12-14 hours of light per day during winter months.

3. Soil requirements for Tulsi plant

 

Tulsi grows best in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.

A mix of:

  • 60% garden soil
  • 20% sand or perlite
  • 20% organic compost

This combination ensures proper aeration and nutrient availability, preventing waterlogging that could damage the roots.

  • Loosen the soil every 15 days to improve airflow and facilitate the flow of nutrients.
  • Replace the top layer of soil every two months.

4. Watering Tips for Tulsi plant

 

Overwatering in Tulsi plant
Overwatering in Tulsi plant

Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes when growing Tulsi indoors.

Follow these tips:

  • Water the plant only when the topsoil feels dry.
  • Use room-temperature water to avoid shocking the plant.
  • Avoid using cold water directly from the tap.
  • Ensure the pot has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.

5. Humidity Management for Tulsi plant

 

Cool places often have dry indoor air, especially during winter. Tulsi prefers moderate humidity levels, which can be achieved by:

  • Placing a small humidifier near the plant.
  • Grouping plants together to increase the surrounding humidity.
  • Misting the leaves lightly, ensuring not to overdo it, which may encourage fungal growth.

Pots and Containers: The Right Setup

 

1. Material Matters

 

  • Use clay, terracotta, or plastic pots with proper drainage holes.
  • Avoid heavy pots if you plan to move the plant frequently for sunlight or warmth.
  • If your plant is old and need larger pot then provide a larger pot for healthy growth.

2. Size and Depth

 

Tulsi’s roots spread out moderately, so a pot with a diameter of at least 8–12 inches and a depth of 6–8 inches is ideal.

3. Pot Placement

 

Place the pot on a raised tray or stand to improve air circulation and prevent moisture buildup at the base.


Fertilizing Tulsi for Indoor Growth

 

Indoor Tulsi plants often require extra nutrition to compensate for the lack of natural nutrients found in outdoor soil. Use:

  • Organic fertilizers like vermicompost or liquid seaweed every 4-6 weeks.
  • Refrain from using harsh fertilizers such as raw kitchen waste.
  • Avoid chemical fertilizers, as they may harm the plant or reduce its medicinal properties.

Pruning and Maintenance for Healthy Growth

 

Tulsi ji pruning
Pruning of flowers of Tulsi plant

 

Regular pruning keeps your Tulsi plant healthy and encourages bushier growth.

Follow these tips:

  • Trim the top leaves once the plant has 4-6 sets of leaves.
  • Remove yellow or dead leaves promptly.
  • Pinch off flower buds if you want the plant to focus on leaf production rather than seed formation.

Protecting Tulsi from Pests and Diseases Indoors

 

Although indoor plants are less prone to pests, Tulsi may still attract:

  • Aphids: Spray neem oil solution every two weeks.
  • Fungal infections: Avoid overwatering and ensure good air circulation around the plant.

Inspect your plant regularly and address issues early to prevent significant damage.

Also, read: Tips to Care Night Blooming Jasmine Plant


Seasonal Care Tips

 

1. Spring and Summer:

Move the plant outdoors for fresh air and sunlight if temperatures are suitable.

2. Autumn and Winter:

Bring the plant indoors before the onset of frost, and maintain warmth with artificial lights and heating.


Conclusion

Growing Tulsi indoors in cool places or foreign countries is a rewarding endeavor when approached with care. By providing optimal temperature, light, soil, and water conditions, you can successfully nurture this sacred plant, even in challenging climates.

Whether for its spiritual significance, medicinal properties, or sheer beauty, Tulsi can transform your indoor space into a thriving green sanctuary.


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tulsi plant

How to grow and care Tulsi plant (Holy Basil)

Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, Vrinda, Vaishnavi, among other names, is a popular perennial plant in many regions. Despite careful attention, it may sometimes dry out, particularly in winter.

We need to take certain steps to keep our plants healthy. Let’s discuss each point one by one.

Tulsi ji

How to grow and care Tulsi plant (Holy basil)

Here are some tips on how to care for a Tulsi plant:

1. Location of Tulsi plant or Temperature for Tulsi plant

Tulsi plants thrive in full sunlight. Choose a spot in your garden or balcony where the plant can receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.

Important to note:

(i) During the winter season when temperatures drop to 15℃-16℃, Tulsi leaves may start to dry out.

(ii) Conversely, in the summer when temperatures rise significantly, the leaves may become burnt, darken, and shrink in size.

(iii) In both cases, it’s advisable to provide some shade for the Tulsi plant. Keeping the plant in a shaded area can help mitigate the effects of extreme temperatures, whether they are too high or too low.

2. Soil for Tulsi plant

Soil mixture

  • Tulsi prefers well-draining soil rich in organic matter. A mix of garden soil and compost works well. Make sure the soil is not too compacted.

3. Pot Size for Tulsi plant

tulsi plant in 12 inch clay pot
Tulsi plant in 12 inch clay pot

To ensure healthy growth of your Tulsi plant, use a pot that is at least 12 inches in diameter.

  • Larger pots allow the roots to spread freely, preventing them from becoming tangled and ensuring efficient water absorption. This promotes overall plant health and longevity.

Also read:

How to grow Tulsi plant from seeds

 

4. Watering tips for Tulsi plant

 

Watering tulsi plant

Here are the key points to consider before watering a Tulsi plant:

1. Tulsi is a tropical plant and does not require excessive watering. The soil should be moist, not muddy. Water only when the soil is completely dry.

2. Check the soil’s moisture level by touching the surface. If the top layer is wet, the inner soil is likely moist enough, so avoid watering.

3. Before watering, loosen the soil up to 2-3 inches to ensure thorough absorption and promote aeration.

4. Water the plant in the early morning or evening to avoid water evaporation and prevent the soil from getting too hot, which can potentially harm the plant’s leaves and lead to its demise. Avoid watering during the afternoon when the sun is intense.

5. Pruning tips for Tulsi plant

 

Tulsi ji pruning

Pruning is essential for maintaining the health and longevity of plants. It involves cutting back or removing overgrown or dead parts of the plant.

Regular pruning, especially during the growing season, is crucial for promoting healthy growth.

For flowering plants, pruning can be done regularly to remove spent flowers (deadheading) to encourage continuous blooming.

 

Important note:

  • It is important to remove flowers before they mature into seeds, as this redirects the plant’s energy towards growth rather than seed production.

6. Fertilizer for Tulsi plant

 

For fertilizing Tulsi plants, it is generally unnecessary if proper care and watering are maintained, especially during winter.

  • However, during summer, if fertilizers are used for other plants, you can use chemical-free options like “Cow-dung liquid fertilizer” or “Vermicompost” once a month. Ensure cow dung is decomposed to prevent pest issues.

7. Pesticide for Tulsi plant

 

As for pesticides, the need for them is rare due to Tulsi’s natural immunity. Pests may occur due to weakened immunity from over or under watering. In such cases, opt for chemical-free options like neem oil spray.

Happy Gardening!

tulsi plant

Tulsi Plant Care in Winter Season: 10 Tips

Tulsi, cherished for its perennial nature, sacred aura, and aromatic allure, is a beloved presence in countless homes. This remarkable plant has the capacity to thrive for numerous years without the need for seasonal replacements.

Despite its resilience, many individuals are unaware of the proper care essential for sustaining the vitality of the Tulsi (Holy basil) plant, which can lead to its demise within a single season.

This comprehensive article identifies common mistakes that, with careful attention, can be addressed to extend the lifespan of your Tulsi plant. Now, let’s explore some common mistakes that, when addressed with care and attention, can significantly extend the lifespan of your cherished Tulsi plant.

Tulsi Plant Care in Winter Season: 10 mistakes to avoid

1. Not Following Perfect Growing Season – Summer Season:

Many folks are still unfamiliar with the optimal growing season for the Tulsi plant. They often plant it haphazardly and then wonder why it’s not thriving. The issues can be categorized into three main mistakes:

  • Planting Tulsi cuttings at the wrong time.
  • Sowing Tulsi seeds in the soil at an inappropriate time.
  • Purchasing Tulsi from a nursery at the wrong season.

 Avoid buying or cultivating Tulsi plant during winters

  • Tulsi is essentially a summer plant  and in regions where warmth persists throughout the year, there’s no cause for concern. 
  • However, during the cold season, it requires special care. 
  • The season significantly influences the plant’s growth, so it is crucial to avoid buying or cultivating it during winters; otherwise, it may wither or experience stunted growth.

2. Not following proper technique of watering:

If the tulsi plant does not receive adequate water, it may show initial growth but eventually dry up. Striking a balance between not underwatering and avoiding overwatering is crucial for its well-being.

Watering tips

  • Ensure you water the plant when the top layer of soil is dry and provide a sufficient amount so it reaches the plant’s roots.
  • Avoid giving small amounts that don’t penetrate the bottom layers of the soil.

Avoid watering daily to Tulsi (holy basil) plant

It’s essential to dispel the myth of daily watering for tulsi.

Watering daily, especially when the soil is already moist, can lead to root rot. 

  • During summers, be extra cautious. Water the plant promptly when the soil dries and continue until water starts draining out from the bottom hole of the pot.

3. Not Grown in healthy soil:

The ideal soil is crucial for the fruitful growth of any plant. Well! After taking proper soil mixture also, there can be chances  where the quality soil is not promoting the abundant growth of the plant. Prevailing reasons for that could be any of them stated below. Like- 

  • Soil is clayey, too sticky, too hard. 
  • Soil gets cracks in it easily after some days.
  • Soil might be infected with insects or termites.

Enhance the soil

To address these issues, enhance the soil with compost, such as cow dung manure and sand, to make it soft, nutrient-rich plus porous.

  • A healthy soil composition facilitates easy root spread and encourages the overall flourishing of the plant.

A well-draining soil mix is essential for Tulsi plants!

While plants in open lands may require less care but those planted in  pots or containers demand more attention to ensure the soil is appropriately enriched for optimal growth.

4. Not picking perfect pot:

avoid fancy pots
avoid fancy pots

 

Despite the variety of attractive pots available  in the market designed specifically for Tulsi plant, such as small square ceramic pots, these pots may pose a challenge over time.

Tulsi plants thrive when they can spread their roots and the limited space in these small pots can lead to suffocation.

For optimal growth, it is recommended to choose – a clay pot with a size of 10-12 inches 

12 inch clay pot
12 inch clay pot
  • The porous nature of a clay pot provides the necessary space for tulsi roots to expand. 
  • Opting for a clay pot can significantly extend the plant’s lifespan, adding an extra 1 or 2 years to its vitality.

5. Not doing tilling at time:

Sometime different situations prevails like- 

  • Formation of algae on the top of soil
  • Appearing of cracks on the soil
  • Plant is not growing up to the remarkable level.

Well ! The simple reason for all these issues could be neglecting the essential practice of soil tilling.

Tilling of soil
Tilling of soil

In container gardening, soil tilling holds utmost importance. Loosening the soil before watering allows for better water absorption. This, in turn, facilitates the effective shuffling of nutrients and expedites the process of soil aeration. 

Despite its simplicity, the act of tilling has a significant impact on the overall growth of the plant.

6. Not doing regular pruning:

Well! Big myth prevails in the society that pruning of Tulsi plants should not be practised but in reality, pruning plays a vital role in promoting its growth.

“Proper pruning results in a bushier plant with healthy, elongated stems or branches”.

Pruning, when done with the right methodology, is a crucial aspect of plant care.

  • You can use your hands for pruning, ensuring that basil leaves are plucked by pinching from the tip. This technique encourages the emergence of more branches.

Regular removal of manjaris (flowers of the tulsi)

Pruning of Manjaris
Pruning of Manjaris
  • It’s essential to regularly remove the manjaris (flowers of the tulsi) because, once dried, they turn into seeds that can adversely affect the parent plant’s growth.
  • Timely removal of these flowers is crucial to prevent the plant from drying up.

7. Not feeding fertilizers:

Many visible changes in the plant  give signals that it need fertilizers like-

  • Whitening of leaves
  • Colour change of leaves
  • Plant is bending
  • Plant not becoming bushy
  • Plants is not showing any growth

Well! With the change of time the nutrition level of everything is getting depleted , hence for the soil also. So nowadays, it is a compulsive act that the plants are fed with required fertilizers at regular intervals of time without any compromise.

  • So, if there is not any concerned issue with the plant then any fertilizer like cow dung fertilizer fed once in a month is sufficient for the Tulsi plant.

Rotation of different organic fertilizers can be given here like –

  • In the first cycle if cow dung fertiliser is given then
  • Next month other fertilisers like vermicompost can be given after doing proper tilling of the soil
  • In the similar manner, next month any other fertiliser like mustard cake or any other liquid fertiliser (neem tonic) can be used.

Plants get weaker , leaves start shrinking due to lack of nutrients, hence fertilizers are important to meet the desired nutrients levels of soil.

8. Not protecting from pests attack:

Indeed, prevention is more effective than cure when it comes to safeguarding your plants from pests. 

  • Establish a routine of spraying neem leaf concoction on the plants either weekly or every 15 days. 
  • Alternatively, neem oil spray can be utilized as a preventive measure against pest attacks.

Unfortunately, some individuals neglect pest protection and only address the issue after an attack has occurred.

Treating the plants with various remedies at that point adds additional stress to the plants already dealing with the aftermath of a pest attack. 

It is more beneficial to proactively protect plants to avoid such stress and damage.

9. Not providing adequate sunlight:

Absolutely, Tulsi plant is an outdoor plant that requires –

  • a minimum of 4-5 hours of direct sunlight and exposure to fresh, open air.

Placing it indoors where sunlight is scarce will only sustain its well-being for a few days, after which it will weaken and eventually wither.

10. Not caring in winter:

Being a summer plant, it demands additional attention during the winter season. Avoid exposing it directly to dew, cold winds or rainwater. 

  • Opt for a sheltered spot under a net where it can still receive sunlight but remains shielded from the harsh winter elements.
  • For added protection, cover the plants with plastic polythene in the evenings to guard against the cold winds, removing it the next morning when the sun is out. 
cover your tulsi plant with polythene
cover your tulsi plant with polythene in winter season during evening
  • Refrain from applying excessive fertilizer during winters, instead, use mustard cake fertiliser only at the beginning of November. 
  • Additionally, avoid using cold water for watering the Tulsi plants in winter.

Conclusion

Refrain from doing all these ten mistakes with the tulsi plant ,you ensure the longevity and well-being of your Tulsi plant.

Also read:

Grow Tulsi Plant from Seeds

Happy gardening!!