Shyama Basil

Krishna basil is one of the most famous varieties of basil in India. Krishna Tulsi plant has purple stems with a pungent taste of purple leaves, it is also known as Shyama Tulsi and purple leaf tulsi. It has more medicinal properties than other species. Krishna basil has a unique clove-like aroma and pepper-like taste. Make soups, curries and stir-fry dishes that are delicious in every way.
The Krishna basil plant not only gives a stunning look to your home but also has many benefits. This is the best way to make your home green by growing Tulsi plants.

What size grow bag is best for Basil?
12 x 12 (W*H)
15 x 15 (W*H)

Krishna Basil Plant Growing Season In India
You can grow Krishna basil in any season throughout the year indoors. The best seasons for sowing Krishna basil seeds are spring and summer when the soil is warm.

How To Grow Krishna Basil At Home
Basil Krishna seeds can be sown directly in pots or by transplanting, if you want the best results for the basil plants then you need to transplant them into bigger pots after seed germination. Choose a seedling tray or small pot (up to 8 cm deep) and a final pot or grow bag (30-38 cm deep and wide) with well-draining holes. Basil seeds will germinate faster at 21-25°C temperature. Basil is a perennial herb, so you need to repot it every year.

Krishna/Shyam Basil Seeds Sowing Method
Sow basil Krishna seeds in the seedling tray with a potting mix about 0.5 cm deep. Give light water through a water sprayer. Keep the seedling tray in a location where it receives medium and bright sunlight and keep the soil moist. Basil large leaf seeds will germinate within 7-14 days (depending on growing conditions).

Transplant Krishna Basil Seedlings Into Big Pots
After basil Krishna seeds germination, when seedlings are 15-20 cm in height at that time transplant them into big pots/grow bags and plant only 1-2 saplings per pot. Take a big pot or grow bag, fill the soil in pots with any organic fertilizer (like vermicompost, cow manure, etc) then transplant the healthiest plant into big pots without disturbing their roots. Keep the pot in a sunny location where basil plants get proper sunlight and give water whenever you feel that the soil becomes dry.

How To Fertilize Krishna Basil Plant
Apply good organic fertilizer (such as vermicompost and cow manure) or slow-release fertilizer (like compost tea) to the Krishna basil plant once a month.

Krishna Basil Plant Care Tips
Water : Give deep water once a week to your basil plants and make sure to give water to the base of the plant, avoiding showering the leaves and stems.
Soil : Use well-drained, moist soil (but not too moist) for better growth of basil plants.
Sunlight : Krishna Basil plants need 6-8 hours of full sunlight.
Temperature : The ideal growing temperature for Krishna basil plants is between 18-35°C (minimum temperature is 10°C).
Common Pests and Disease : Aphids, slugs and whiteflies generally attack the basil plants and basil is infected by some diseases like fusarium wilt, bacterial leaf spot and root rot. If you are facing these problems use organic pesticide neem oil.

Krishna Basil Leaves Benefits
• Cures throat infections, and respiratory problems
• Helpful to cure ear infections
• Beneficial for skin diseases 
• Fight against malaria, indigestion and cholera 
• Good for digestion

How To Prune/Harvest Krishna Basil 
• While harvesting or pruning is the same for basil plants, continue harvesting every week or two throughout the season to encourage leaf growth.
• Cut the leaves when the basil plant is about 8-10 inches tall.
• Use herb pruning shears or small scissors to help to ensure a clean cut.
• Prune when you notice mature basil plant starting to form flower buds if you will not cut basil flower buds, the plant will put all its energy into making seeds and flowering changes the flavor of basil. If you are late to prune them and flowers have started to form, simply pinch off the flower heads, which are also edible.