How To Save Tulsi Plant From Dying

Popular for its benefits, Tulsi holds a significant place in Indian Households. Read to know How To Save Tulsi Plant From Dying, its care, and more!

Ocimum tenuiflorum (Ocimum sanctum) commonly known as Tulsi is native to the Indian subcontinent and is closely related to culinary basil (Ocimum basilicum).  The plant holds significant importance in India, especially in the Hindu culture. It is thought of as an avatar of Goddess Laxmi and therefore is considered sacred. Tulsi is also called the elixir of life, due to its multiple health benefits.

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How To Grow Tulsi Plant

Tulsi is a perennial herb and is very easy to grow. You can grow it from both seeds and cuttings in pots as well as in Gardens. Moreover, it can grow in almost any kind of well-draining soil, sandy loam, however, is ideal for Tulsi. You can easily collect the seeds or cuttings directly from the plant and replant it as desired. Make sure to keep your soil moist and provide cow dung fertilizers. The plant may require a little bit of care in the beginning; otherwise, it is a quite hardy plant.

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Types of Tulsi Plant

There are four main types of Tulsi in India

• Vana Tulsi

  This variety of Tulsi usually grows in gardens, as it can get tall and bushy and is quite hardy. Leaves of Vana Tulsi have a velvety texture and a distinct aroma and used in making teas.

• Ram Tulsi

  The leaves of this variety are light green in color and little asymmetric. This variety grows well in pots and usually cultivated for its medicinal and religious purposes.

• Shyam/Krishna Tulsi

  This variety has more medicinal uses than Rama Tulsi.  The leaves and stems of Shyam Tulsi are purple, hence the name. Furthermore, the leaves are broad and carry a pungent aroma.

• Kapoor Tulsi

  Common to Indian households, this variety also does well in containers. Moreover, this variety is easy and quick to grow.

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Tulsi Plant Care

If you’re wondering how to save Tulsi plant from dying. Here are some ideas on how to care for this plant.

How to water Tulsi plant?

If you wish to boost the life span of the Tulsi plant, make sure not to overwater it. In fact, let the soil dry before watering it again. Moreover, water the plant less frequently in the rainy season.

Where to keep the Tulsi plant?

Although they can survive the partial sun, these plants love the sun and require 6-8 hours of light to grow well. Nevertheless, make sure to keep the plant under shade in winters, as the falling temperatures may rot the plant.

Repotting Tulsi Plant

In case you are growing it from the cuttings, repotting can be tricky. Take care of the roots while removing the plant from the previous pot otherwise, the plant may not even grow at all.

Homemade pesticide for Tulsi Plant

One more thing that can harm your plant is pests. You can keep pests off your Tulsi plant by merely applying a mixture of water with few drops of dish soap in it. Here are some helpful tulsi plant homemade pesticide recipes.

Pruning the plant

Prune the plant of all the dried leaves and seeds whenever you can.  As pruning your Tulsi plant may also help you in reviving it.

Fertilizing the plant

Providing the dying Tulsi plant with some fertilizer can also help resurrect the plant. You can use homemade fertilizers like used tea leaves and rotten cow dung manure.

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In case, even after taking so much care, your Tulsi plant dies, here is what to do with the dry Tulsi plant. The first thing you do is to make sure it is dead by scratching the stem with something pointed. There are still some chances of reviving the plant if the insides are green. Secondly, you can reuse the dried seeds, if any, from the plant to regrow another Tulsi plant from it. Lastly, if you find no hope of saving the plant, get rid of it and find a new Tulsi plant for your garden.

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