Live Thai Basil Grown Year Round in Calgary, AB
If you’re a fan of Southeast Asian cuisine, you’re missing out if you’re not using live Thai basil in your recipes. The distinct and refreshing flavor of Thai Basil makes it the key ingredient in delicious Thai Green Curry, Vietnamese Pho, and countless soups.
Thai basil holds up well to high heat, unlike its sweeter counterpart. So when you’re cooking with the herb, you don’t have to worry about putting it in too early, and it’s also the reason why people love putting it in stir-frys!
On top of being flavorful, healthy, and pretty, Thai Basil is also incredibly easy to grow and lasts longer than sweet basil. While sweet basil is an annual herb that only lasts for one growing season, Thai basil is a perennial herb that can keep growing for two to three years.
Live Thai Basil Plant Care
Days To Maturity: 65 days
Height: 12-24 Inches (30-60 cm)
Temperature: Basil needs warm/hot weather to thrive. Avoid exposing to cool temperatures, particularly at night. If grown indoors, keep away from cold, drafty areas
Light: Full Sun for at least 6 hours a day. Great performance under full spectrum LED grow lights
Media Type: Organic Soil, Products available in coco-coir pots
Soil Requirements: Moderately rich and moist soil.
Watering: Let soil dry between watering. Typically 4-5 days
Fertilizing: Balanced fertilizer blend with good drainage
Harvesting Live Thai Basil
Step 1: For the best growth, don’t harvest your live basil until the plant is at least 6″ tall with 5-6 leaves.
Step 2: A basil plant is made up of one tall, central stem with sets of leaves growing out from each side.
Step 3: Once you have located the main stem, count up at least 2 sets of leaves from the bottom of the basil plant. Using a sharp pair of cutters/scissors make a cut the main step roughly 1/4″ above the last set of leaves you wish to leave on the plant.
Step 4: Strip the leaves away from the stems of the cut basil and enjoy using in your kitchen. Place the cut plant back in a sunny location and it will be ready to cut again in a few weeks time. This time, the plant will grow twice as many heads as last time!
