How to grow Thai basil in a raised bed

Thai basil brings a warm aniseed-liquorice note to Southeast Asian cooking, with handsome purple stems and sturdier leaves than sweet basil. It loves the same warm, sunny raised bed as its cousin.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun, 6+ hours
• Spacing: 25–30 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 23 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 6–8 weeks

When should I plant Thai basil?

Thai basil is frost-tender — plant from spring once the nights warm up, right through summer. Our free garden calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

• Subtropical (Brisbane & SEQ): September to March
• Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth): October to February
• Cool & mountain (Tasmania, Canberra, highlands): November to January
• Tropical (Cairns, Darwin): All year round
• Arid inland: September to November

How do I grow Thai basil in a raised bed?

Plant into warm, moist mix in full sun. Pinch out the growing tips and flower spikes regularly to keep it bushy and in leaf — it's a touch hardier and slower to bolt than sweet basil.

How often should I water and feed Thai basil?

Keep the mix evenly moist; water the soil, not the leaves, in the morning.

What pests attack Thai basil?

Keep an eye out for aphids, whiteflies and caterpillars — though most herbs are pleasingly pest-resistant. See our safe pest guide.

What are the common problems with Thai basil?

The main one to watch is downy mildew and damping-off, usually from damp, crowded conditions. Good airflow and morning watering prevent most.

What grows well with Thai basil?

Like all basils, a classic partner to tomatoes and a good all-round companion. See our companion planting guide.

When do I harvest Thai basil?

Pick leaves and tips from the top down and often. Best used fresh, right at the end of cooking to keep its aroma.

More growing guides: basil, Vietnamese mint and shiso.

Plan your patch: our free garden calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.