How to grow Thai Basil in Australia
Grow in full sun in warm, rich, well drained soil. Keep moisture even, as it sulks in cold and wet.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 4 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 25 cm
- Time to harvest: 60 days
- Time to germinate: 10 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to March | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to March | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | September to March | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October to December | Frost tender. Sow Oct to Dec once nights stay above 10C. Wants more heat than sweet basil, so give it the warmest spot. |
| Adelaide & SA | October to December | Frost tender. Sow Oct to Dec after frost. Grows fast through summer with water; finished by the first May cold. |
| Perth & WA | September to December | Sow Sep to Dec. Give bright shade and steady water from December; it is finished by the first cool nights of May. |
| Tasmania | November and December | Marginal. Even more heat-hungry than sweet basil. Sow Nov to Dec under cover. Greenhouse crop in Tasmania. |
| Canberra & ACT | November and December | Frost tender. Sow Nov to Dec after the last frost in early November; dies at the first autumn frost. |
| North Queensland | April to November | Plant Apr to Nov, as for sweet basil. Thai basil handles heat better, but downy mildew still hits in the monsoon months. |
| Darwin & Top End | All year | Year round in Darwin, as for sweet basil. Thrives in heat and humidity. |
Varieties
- Thai Sweet Basil (Horapa)
- Holy Basil (Krapao)
Companion planting
Good companions
Avoid planting near
- Rue
- Sage
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick once the plant is bushy, taking soft tips above a leaf pair. Pinch the growing tips and it branches out for more leaves; remove flowers to prolong cropping.
Storage
Stand stems in water on the bench, not the fridge. Use within 5 days.