Botanical Interests
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Product Details
Product Details
Thai basil is a popular herb in Southeast Asian cuisine and is a flavorful garnish served with Vietnamese pho (a savory broth of noodles and meat). It holds its flavor and texture better after cooking than other basil varieties and adds a kick to salads when sliced and eaten fresh. Sweet Thai's dark purple flowers and intoxicating scent make it a beautiful addition to the flower garden. A terrific container variety.
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- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
Variety Info
Family: Laminaceae
Type: Basil (Learn more)
Native: Probably Africa, but in cultivation for so long that it cannot be verified.
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: 12"–24" tall and wide
Variety Info: Upright, multi-branched, and quite bushy plant with bright green, elliptical leaves, dark burgundy/purple flower heads, and an anise-clove scent. Thai basil is called Horapha in Thailand and Hung Que in Vietnam.
Attributes: Frost Sensitive, Good for Containers
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F, ideally 65°–85°F. Successive Sowings: We recommend 3 or 4 successive sowings every 3 weeks after initial sowing.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting outside. Transplant when your nighttime temperatures are above 50°F.
Days to Emerge: 5 – 10 Days
Seed Depth: ¼"
Seed Spacing: A group of 2 seeds every 12"
Row Spacing: 12"
Thinning: When 2" tall, thin to 1 every 12"
Growing Info
Harvesting: Basil flavor is best before the plant flowers. Harvest up to 1/3 of the plant at a time, leaving enough for the plant to be healthy and keep producing. Harvest prior to a frost; basil is very frost sensitive.
- Napat M.Rated 5 out of 5 starsFeb 21, 20245 Stars
Great germination rate. They grew slowly at first but once the weather warmed up they became very prolific. I kept cutting them all Summer long. Very nice as an ornamental too. They looked great planted with other flowers.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate - Jeremy K.Rated 4 out of 5 starsAug 8, 20234 Stars
This guy has been very prolific for me and my container garden. I placed two plants a bit too close together (oopsies), and they shaded out my rosemary--not that I'm complaining. I perhaps wish the leaves were a bit larger, but the taste is great. My partner loves using it in his mom's Vietnamese dishes.
- Samantha S.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsApr 8, 2026Best smelling basil
These took a little longer to sprout than our other basils, but now they're even bigger! The leaves smell so good, like anise, even though they just look like normal basil sprouts so far. Looking forward to making curry and pho
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateEGEpic GardeningApr 12, 2026Hey Samantha,
We're so excited to hear your Sweet Thai Basil Seeds are growing bigger and stronger! That amazing anise scent is exactly what makes these so special - it's like aromatherapy right in your garden! Even though they took their sweet time to get started, it sounds like they're making up for it now. Your homemade curry and pho are going to be absolutely incredible with those fresh, fragrant leaves! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Robin F.CA, United StatesVerified BuyerRated 4 out of 5 starsApr 1, 2026Seeds Have Germinated
I ordered Sweet Thai Basil seeds from Epic Gardening and I had good germination rates and my seedlings are thriving in my garden. Thank you!
Which best describes you as a gardener? BeginnerWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? Patio - Kristin F.Verified BuyerRated 4 out of 5 starsMar 16, 2026not a good germination
slow and definitely not a 90% percent germination but getting second leaves now
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateEGEpic GardeningMar 24, 2026Hey Kristin,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I've reached out to you via email to offer assistance. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring your experience is positive. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻️
