Product Field NotesHerb Plants
Thai Basil: Licorice-Scented Leaves and Showy Purple Spikes
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Thai basil is the basil of Southeast Asian kitchens. Its narrow, serrated green leaves carry a spicy licorice and anise scent, and it holds up better to cooking than sweet basil. From July, it sends up showy pinkish to purple flower spikes that make it one of the prettiest basils in the garden.
Those purple spikes are why it looks so at home near lavender, even if the two want different amounts of water.
Thai basil at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora |
| Leaves | Green, narrow and serrated |
| Flowers | Pinkish to purple, in showy spikes |
| Size | 24 to 36 inches tall, 12 to 18 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early July, peaks early August, continuous |
| Hardiness | Grown as an annual; killed by frost |
| Water | Moderate |
| Wildlife | Great for pollinators; deer resistant |
Thai basil as a lavender neighbor
Of all the basils, Thai basil is the one that looks most like it belongs in a lavender planting. Its upright purple flower spikes echo lavender wands, and they bloom through July and August, overlapping the end of the lavender season and carrying on after harvest. Pollinators visit both.
It does need more regular water than lavender, so grow it in containers on a sunny patio beside potted lavender or in a kitchen bed nearby, where you can water it without soaking lavender roots. At up to 3 feet, it also makes a good backdrop for lower herbs. Plan the spot in the Companion Plant Planner.
Growing tips
- Timing: it loves heat and grows best once nights stay above about 50 to 60 F. The Frost Date Estimator helps you time planting.
- Light and water: full sun and moderate, steady moisture.
- Pinching: pinch tips early for a bushier plant, and pinch flower spikes if you want more leaves.
- Airflow: space plants. Humid, wet weather favors basil downy mildew, though spice-type basils like this one have shown more resistance than sweet basil. Fusarium wilt is possible.
- Fall: it is killed by the first freeze, so harvest well before frost.
Cooking with Thai basil
Use the leaves in Thai and other Southeast Asian dishes: stir-fries, curries, noodle soups, fresh spring rolls, salads and sauces. Add them at the end of cooking, or serve a plate of fresh sprigs alongside noodle soup so everyone can tear in their own. The flower spikes are attractive in small bouquets, and the plant is rated fair for cut stems.
Sizes offered
Thai basil comes as 3-inch plugs, 4-inch pots and 1-gallon pots. See the product page for current sizes and availability.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Thai basil instead of sweet basil?
In some dishes, yes, but its licorice flavor is distinct. Most cooks keep sweet basil for pesto and Thai basil for Asian dishes.
Does Thai basil come back each year?
No. It is frost-tender and is replanted each spring in Michigan.
Should I let it flower?
Let a few plants flower for pollinators and color, and keep pinching the rest for leaves.
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