How to Grow A Tulasi Plant From Seed in 9 Steps

Ever thought of growing Tulasi Devi but found the idea intimidating? Did it seem like a daunting task? Have you tried and struggled? Fear not – we’ve made it simple and easy. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced gardener, our straightforward guide on how to grow a Tulasi plant ensures that the process becomes a breeze. No green thumb required – just follow the 9 steps in our video and in-depth article.

We supply seeds to anyone who would like some, at no cost. You can order your seeds here.

Introductory Video:

Step by Step Animation:

Step 1:Get a dish or tray

The first step in how to grow a Tulasi plant is to get any clean unused dish or plate should work just fine, you could also purchase a tray specifically for growing plants as shown in the animation.

Step Two: Fill the tray with organic soil

Soil is one of the major factors that determine Tulasi’s health. Many soils contain pesticides, fertilizer derived from animal products, or even byproducts of sewage waste, therefore it is important to get good quality, organic, vegan soil to ensure Tulasi will have a healthy foundation. We recommend using Happy Frog Potting soil, it’s generally easily available online or at horticulture stores. We recommend reading our article on soil to learn more.

Step Three: Sprinkle the soil with a few Tulasi seeds

Using multiple seeds increases the chance to grow a tulasi plant because all of the seeds may not germinate. It’s not necessary to put soil over the seeds, or to dig little holes for the seeds, simply dropping them on top of the soil is sufficient. Get your Tulasi seeds here.

Step Four: Spray with water daily

Using a spray bottle, spray the soil with water to keep it moist to the touch. Spray gently so the seeds don’t roll around. This is one of the most important steps, her soil needs to be kept moist for the seeds to germinate. But, if the soil is too moist, she may not germinate at all. Signs of too much moisture is mold growth.

It’s important to note that tap water often has hard chemicals in it that inhibit plants from absorbing nutrients through their roots, so it’s recommended to use filtered water for Tulasi whenever possible.

Step Five: Cover with something transparent

Anything transparent can be used, plastic wrap, a bag, a plastic lid, a pane of glass, etc. This helps keep a warm and humid environment for the seeds to germinate.

Step Six: Keep the seeds in a shaded area at 20-25˚C or 68-77˚F

This is another very important step. Keeping a consistently warm temperature ensures she will germinate. 20-25˚C or 68-77˚F is the sweet spot. If it gets too hot she could shrivel up or won’t sprout, if it’s too cold she also may not sprout. The summer time is ideal, but a warm place in doors will work just as well. 

From here to the next step the process could take up to 2 weeks maximum, but often only takes a few days.

Step Seven: Remove the transparent cover once the seeds have sprouted.

Once there are signs of green the cover can be taken off.

Step Eight: Put the seedlings under direct sunlight or under a grow light

At this stage Tulasi will need a lot of strong light to grow healthily. You can put her outside in the direct sun, or use a grow light. If you use an LED light it can be placed about 8-12 inches from the leaves, if you’re using a fluorescent light, place it about 4-5 inches form the leaves. Any closer could burn the leaves, but too far away will leave her leggy and unable to hold her own weight.

Don’t forget to keep spraying her every day during this step, she may even need to be sprayed twice a day if her soil is getting dry and she starts wilting.

To learn more about grow lights check out our article Tulasi Lighting. We have some lighting recommendations in the Tulasi Sevamrta Shop.

Step Nine: Transfer Tulasi into a pot after she has grown two sets of leaves

Once Tulasi has grown two sets of leaves, gently bring her out of the soil. Her roots will be quite delicate so you can use a new unused spoon to grab her and a clump of soil underneath her without disturbing her roots. You can alternatively just use your fingers. 

Fill a small pot with organic vegan soil, dig a little hole, place her roots in the soil, and make sure she can stand upright. After this step she can start to be watered as normal, and receive light for 12-16 hours a day. Be sure to keep her at temperatures above 20˚C or 68˚F, water her regularly, and chant and pray to her.

Now that you know how to grow a Tulasi plant check out our other foundational articles on watering, lighting, nutrients, bugs, temperature, humidity and soil to learn how to take care of the Tulasi plant. Feel free to also contact us with any questions, and subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date with our publications on how to serve Tulasi  and about her glories. If you want to deepen your knowledge about the Tulasi plant from ancient Vedic wisdom, check out this amazing book.

Verses from sastra about growing Tulasi:

Tulasī Kīrtana Verse 2
ye tomāra śaraṇa loy, tara vāñchā pūrṇa hoy
kṛpā kori’ koro tāre vṛndāvana-vāsi

Whoever takes shelter of you has his wishes fulfilled. Bestowing your mercy on him, you make him a resident of Vrindavana.

Bhakti-rāsāmṛta-sindhu Verse 1.2.203
yā dṛṣṭā nikhilāgha-saṅgha-śamanī spṛṣṭā vapuḥ-pāvanī
 rogāṇām abhivanditā nirasinī siktāntaka-trāsinī
pratyāsatti-vidhāyinī bhagavataḥ kṛṣṇasya samropitā 
nyastā tac-caraṇe vimukti-phaladā tasyai tulasyai namaḥ

I offer my humble obeisances to Srimati Tulasi Devi, by seeing whom all of one’s sinful reactions are destroyed; by whose touch, one’s body becomes purified; by whose glorification, one’s illnesses are cured; by watering whom, one’s fear of the wrath of Lord Yamaraja is quelled; by planting whom, one attains Krishna’s association; and by offering whose leaves at the lotus feet of Lord Krishna, one attains liberation in the form of pure devotional service.

Hari-bhakti-vilāsa Verse 7.284
yat phalaṁ sarvvapuṣpeṣu
sarvvapatreṣu nārada
tulasī dala mātreṇa
prāpyate keśavārccane

O Narada, the merit one obtains by worshiping Lord Kesava with offerings of all kinds of flowers and leaves can be obtained simply by worshiping Him with an offering of only one Tulasi leaf.

Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata Verse 3.8.156
prabhu bale,—“ami tulasīre nā dekhile
bhāla nāhi vāsoṅ yena matsya vine jale”

The Lord (Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu) then said, “If I don’t see Tulasi, I cannot survive, just as a fish cannot survive out of water.”

Bibliography

• Gosvami, Sanatana. Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa Volume Two, Vilasas 6-10 (Bhumipati Dasa trans.) Vrindavan: Rasbihari Lal & Sons, 2005. Print.
• Thakura, Vrindavana Dasa. Sri Caitanya-bhagavata. New Delhi: Vrajraj Press, 2005. Print.
• Swami, Bhakti Visrambha Madhava. Tulasyamrta, The Nectar of Srimati Tulasi Devi. Vrindavan: Author, 2012. Print.