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Thai Basil

Ocimum basilicum var thyrsiflora

true

1 gallon

Thai Basil

In stock

2'x2'

Sizes:

Thai Basil — Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora

Also known as: Asian Basil, Sweet Thai Basil

Thai Basil is a beautiful and flavorful herb that also works well as a compact perennial landscape shrub in warm desert gardens. Known for its purple stems and purple-veined leaves set against glossy dark green foliage, this plant adds a splash of cool color to the landscape—making it a favorite choice where most native desert blooms lean yellow or orange.

This variety of basil typically grows 1 to 2 feet tall and wide, forming a dense, tidy mound. It produces small lavender to pale purple flowers on spikes that rise above the foliage, beginning in early summer and continuing until fall if regularly trimmed. The blooms are highly attractive to pollinators, especially native bees, honeybees, and butterflies, and the plant is a powerful nectar source in mixed herb or pollinator gardens.

A member of the mint family, Thai Basil is generally unappealing to rabbits and other browsing animals, making it a good choice for areas with pest pressure. While it’s not native, it thrives in full sun, moderate to well-drained soils, and responds well to regular watering with occasional drying out between irrigation cycles. It also does well in containers and can be treated as an annual or short-lived perennial depending on winter conditions.

Thai Basil is valued not only for its culinary use in Southeast Asian cuisine, but also for its ornamental appeal and role in supporting pollinator biodiversity in managed landscapes.

Wildlife Value

Host Plant: —
Nectar Source: Monarch (Danaus plexippus); Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui); Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus); numerous native bee species and honeybees (Apis mellifera)
Bird Resources: Insects
Bird Species: Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria); House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)

Plant Care

Native region:

Desert Adapted

Water needs:

Low - Moderate

Exposure:

Full Sun

Mature size:

2'x2'

Growth rate:

Fast

Flower color:

Purple

Flower season:

Year-Round

Pruning:

Remove spent blooms and prune to shape

Cold Hardiness:

40 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Yes

Larval host:

Bees:

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Yes

Tortoises:

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.