Humidity, Temperature and Circulation For Tulasi

There are five major factors that determine Tulasi’s health: light, water, soil, air, and devotion. Creating the proper environment with humidity, temperature and circulation for Tulasi is extremely important for her health. The easiest way to achieve this is in a small enclosed area where you can control humidity and temperature levels. If you live in a place that is generally warm and humid all year round, then this may not apply to you as much, but for people who live in areas that have cold or rainy winters, this will definitely apply to you.

Summary:

Do’s:
Maintain humidity around 60%
Maintain temperature between 70-80°F or 21-27°C
Get a humidity and temperature monitor
Use a humidifier (necessary during winters)
Keep Tulasi at least ½ meter from windows during winters
Use an oscillating fan at least ½ meter away from Tulasi
Get a grow tent if needed

Don’ts:
Don’t keep Tulasi near a draft of hot or cold air (from window, heating vent, or heater during winters)
Don’t allow temperature to drop below 65°F or 19°C.
Don’t allow humidity to go above 65-70% (mold and fungus could form).

Humidity

Humidity is important otherwise Tulasi can dry up, get various diseases, and get infected by bugs much easier. Try to keep Tulasi Devi in an environment with about 60% humidity. This can be achieved by using a humidifier in an enclosed or small space such as a small room or grow tent. In winters especially the humidifier would need to run non-stop, 24 hours a day, while in summers it may not need to be used at all.

Temperature

Tulasi thrives in temperatures between 70-80°F or 21-27°C. She can survive in temperatures below 65°F or 19°C but her health will be greatly affected in the immediate and long term. To keep a steady temperature in winters you will need a small heater or centralized heating. Make sure the heater is not directly next to her leaves, and does not blow any hot air directly on her leaves, otherwise she will go into shock and drop large amounts of leaves. If she is planted in the ground somewhere where it gets cold but the ground doesn’t freeze, you can build a small enclosure around her in winters to keep her warm.

Air Circulation

To keep the humidity and temperature consistent throughout the room, use an oscillating fan placed at least ½ meter away from Tulasi. Plants also need fresh carbon dioxide to conduct photosynthesis, so an oscillating fan will help greatly. Just make sure the fan blows on her once every oscillation, not constantly. Tulasi really does not do well with drafts, do not put her in an area where there is a hot or cold draft, either from a heating vent, heater, or a window in the winters. Try to keep her at least ½ meter from windows in the winter. If you are using a grow tent, a small inline duct fan can be used instead or in addition to an oscillating fan.

Monitoring Humidity and Temperature

To keep track of the temperature and humidity levels you can use a temperature and humidity monitor. Just keep an eye on it and determine what settings your humidifier and/or heater need to be set to to maintain the proper levels. If you want to get hightech, you can get an automated system that will turn the humidifier and heater on or off depending on the levels. The automated system is not at all necessary but can help greatly if you have an entire room full of plants.

Grow Tents

Grow tents are a good way to create a controlled environment with proper humidity, temperature and circulation for Tulasi. They are nice because they can be placed practically anywhere, and when they are properly configured Tulasi will have optimal growing conditions. If you are not able to have a small enclosed space designated for Tulasi, then getting a grow tent could really help for over the winters. For an awesome  grow tent setup you will need a small inline duct fan, humidifier, heater, light, and optionally an oscillating fan. This setup can last for many years and Tulasi Devi will grow very nicely.

Check out our other foundational articles on watering, lighting, nutrients, bugs, and soil to learn how to take care of the Tulasi plant. If you don’t already have a plant, get some seeds here, and watch our video on how to grow them.

Look over this article to learn how to diagnose your Tulasi plant when she’s sick and feel free to contact us with any questions. If you want to deepen your knowledge about the Tulasi plant from ancient Vedic wisdom, check out this amazing book.