Tulsi requires well drained, rich loam, poor laterite soil. The soil pH should be between 5.5 to 7. It needs a warm climate and a temperature of 20° C.
Plough the field to a fine tilth for the land preparation of tulsi. Plough and harrow the land several times and mix FYM in the soil. 15 tonnes of farmyard manure per hectare is preferable.
Tulsi can be propagated by seeds and by plant cuttings. Sow the seeds in nursery beds located in partial shade. For vegetative propagation, the plant cuttings are planted in well-prepared nursery beds or polythene bags.
Irrigation is provided twice a week for one month so that the plants establish themselves well. Later, it is given at a weekly interval depending upon the rainfall and soil moisture status.
Apply FYM i.e. farmyard manure and mix well with soil during land preparation. Apply fertilizer dose in the form of Nitrogen@48kg, Potash@24kg and Phosphorus@24kg/acre in form of Urea.
The first weeding is done one month after planting and the second after another 30 days. Afterwards, no further weeding is required as the plants become bushy and cover the soil and thereby smother the weeds.
Harvesting is done during the whole bloom period. Leaves are used fresh or sun-dried. It is also used for Basil oil extraction by drying the leaves followed by steam distillation.