How to Grow Thai Basil in Australia
A warm-season herb crop for the home garden
Growing Thai Basil at home is well within reach for most Australian gardeners, and this guide walks you through every step. It is rated beginner to grow. Saves ~$3-5/week, supermarket Thai basil wilts fast; your own plant lasts months and handles summer heat.
This guide covers when to plant Thai Basil in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Thai Basil is a warm-season crop, frost-tender and needs a frost-free run. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in September, October, November, December, January, February and March. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Thai Sweet Basil (Horapa)
The standard Thai basil. Purple stems, green leaves, strong anise-clove flavour. Essential for pad krapow and green curry.
Try: Green Harvest, Eden Seeds, Mr Fothergill's
Holy Basil (Krapao)
More peppery-clove than sweet Thai. Hairy leaves. The one used in stir-fried holy basil with chilli. Harder to find.
Try: Green Harvest, Eden Seeds
Position and Soil
Give Thai Basil full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6 to 7. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 20cm+, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed on the surface, barely covered. Thin or space plants to about 25 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 10 days, fastest when the soil is between 20 and 30 degrees.
Distinct from sweet basil with its anise and licorice flavour, purple stems and sturdy leaves. Essential in Thai, Vietnamese and Southeast Asian cooking. Handles SEQ summer humidity much better than Italian basil types. Pinch tips regularly to keep bushy and delay flowering. Water at the base. Perennial in frost-free zones but best grown as a warm-season annual.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 4 L per plant every 2 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Aphids, Whitefly and Slugs. The main diseases to watch are Fusarium wilt and Downy mildew. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Thai Basil is typically ready to harvest in around 60 days (about 2 months). Stand stems in water on the bench, not the fridge. Use within 5 days.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, thai basil is good stirred into Thai curries at the last minute, stir-fried with chilli and meat for pad krapow, added to Vietnamese pho and spring rolls and used in Southeast Asian salads. Nutritionally: rich in antioxidants and essential oils and contains eugenol with anti-inflammatory properties.
Companion Planting
Thai Basil grows well alongside Tomato, Capsicum, Eggplant and Chilli. Keep it away from Rue and Sage. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Thai Basil Growing
Add thai basil to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Thai Basil in Australia?
Thai Basil is a warm-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in September, October, November, December, January, February and March. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Thai Basil take to grow?
Thai Basil is generally ready to harvest in around 60 days (about 2 months).
Can I grow Thai Basil in a pot?
Yes. Thai Basil grows well in a container of 20cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Thai Basil need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Thai Basil in the Plant Library
