Types of Tulsi: Rama, Shyama (Krishna) and Vana Tulsi Compared – Identification & Care (2026)

There are three main types of tulsi grown in India: Rama tulsi (green leaves, mild and slightly sweet), Shyama or Krishna tulsi (purple-tinged leaves, stronger and more peppery) and Vana tulsi (the wild, tall, strongly clove-scented type). Rama and Shyama are two forms of the same species, Ocimum tenuiflorum (holy basil), while Vana tulsi usually refers to a different species, Ocimum gratissimum. Nurseries also sell Kapoor tulsi and other “tulsi” plants. This guide explains how to tell them apart, which one to choose for puja, tea or a balcony in Delhi NCR, and how to keep each one healthy through summer heat and winter cold.

Types of tulsi at a glance

Type	Botanical identity	Leaves & stem	Aroma & taste	Best for
Rama tulsi (Sri/Lakshmi tulsi)	Ocimum tenuiflorum, green form	Bright green leaves; green or light-purple stem	Mild, cooling, slightly sweet, clove-like	Daily puja, tea, beginners
Shyama / Krishna tulsi	Ocimum tenuiflorum, purple form	Dark green to purple leaves; purple stems and flower spikes	Sharper, peppery, more pungent	Puja, stronger kadha, ornamental contrast
Vana tulsi	Usually Ocimum gratissimum (African/clove/tree basil)	Large, light-green, softly hairy leaves; woody shrub	Strong clove-and-lemon scent	Large pots, gardens, hedges; hardy
Kapoor tulsi	Name used inconsistently — often camphor basil (Ocimum kilimandscharicum) in India	Grey-green, softly hairy leaves; bushy	Camphor-like	Garden, pest-repellent border; check the label
Amrita tulsi	Ocimum tenuiflorum, a Rama-type selection	Bushy, can turn reddish with age	Similar to Rama, strong	Growers who want a vigorous plant

Rama tulsi

Rama tulsi — also called Sri tulsi or Lakshmi tulsi in some regions — is the green-leaved form of holy basil and the one most Indian households keep in the courtyard tulsi chaura (tulsi platform). Its leaves are bright green and its flavour is milder, which is why many people prefer it for tulsi tea. It is also the easiest to grow: it roots readily, recovers well from pruning and sets plenty of seed.

How to identify: green leaves with softly toothed edges, green to faintly purplish stems, and green-to-light-purple flower spikes (manjari).

Shyama (Krishna) tulsi

Shyama or Krishna tulsi is the purple form of the same species. The name comes from its dark colour — “Shyama” and “Krishna” both mean dark. Stems and flower spikes are clearly purple, and the leaves range from dark green to purplish, especially in strong sun. Its aroma is more pungent and peppery. Devotees in Vaishnava traditions often favour it, though in practice both Rama and Shyama are used for puja.

How to identify: purple stems and manjari, darker leaves; in shade the purple fades, so compare plants grown in full sun. Shyama can be a little slower and more sensitive to overwatering than Rama.

Vana tulsi

“Vana” means forest, and Vana tulsi is the wild type. In the herb trade it usually refers to Ocimum gratissimum, known in English as African basil, clove basil or tree basil. It is a true perennial shrub that grows much taller than holy basil — often 1–2 metres — with large, lighter-green, fuzzy leaves and a powerful clove-lemon smell. Because it is a different species, not everyone considers it the “sacred” tulsi, so if you want a plant specifically for worship, Rama or Shyama is the conventional choice.

How to identify: big leaves (often 8–10 cm), woody lower stem, and a much bigger bush than a typical tulsi. Beware: local names overlap, and in some regions O. gratissimum is itself sold as “Ram tulsi” — so judge by leaf size and smell, not only the label.

Other plants sold as “tulsi”

• Kapoor tulsi: Indian nurseries commonly use this name for camphor basil (Ocimum kilimandscharicum), with a strong camphor smell; some overseas seed companies use “Kapoor” for a different annual basil. Ask the seller which species it is.
• Amrita tulsi: a vigorous, bushy selection of O. tenuiflorum, closer to Rama tulsi.
• Sweet basil / Babui tulsi: Ocimum basilicum (the pizza and Thai basil family). Its seeds are the sabja used in falooda. Not holy basil.

The science behind these names is summarised on the Ocimum tenuiflorum page, which notes that Rama, Krishna and Vana are the three morphotypes cultivated in India and Nepal.

Which tulsi should you choose?

If you want…	Choose	Why
A plant for daily puja	Rama or Shyama	Traditional holy basil; fits a small tulsi pot
Mild tulsi tea	Rama	Sweeter, less pungent flavour
A strong, peppery kadha	Shyama	More pungent aroma
A big, low-effort bush	Vana	Perennial shrub, tolerates heat and neglect
A small balcony	Rama	Compact, fast-recovering, easy from seed

How to grow tulsi in Delhi NCR

1. Pot: at least 10–12 inches wide with a drainage hole for Rama/Shyama; 16 inches or more for Vana.
2. Soil: roughly equal parts garden soil, compost and coarse sand (or perlite). Tulsi hates soggy roots.
3. Sun: 4–6 hours of direct sun. East- or south-facing balconies are ideal; in May–June, afternoon shade helps.
4. Sowing: sow seeds in March–April or during the monsoon on the soil surface (just press them in, don’t bury deep). Germination usually takes 1–2 weeks in warm weather. Cuttings of Rama and Vana root easily in water or moist soil.
5. Watering: water when the top inch of soil is dry — daily in peak summer, every 2–4 days in winter. Never let water stand in the saucer.
6. Pinching: pinch off the manjari (flower spikes) regularly unless you want seed. This keeps the plant bushy and extends its life.
7. Feeding: a spoonful of vermicompost every 3–4 weeks in the growing season is enough.

Seasonal care and common problems

• Winter drooping (December–January): the most common complaint in NCR. Holy basil is tropical and dislikes cold nights and frost. Move pots against a warm, sunny wall, cover with a thin cloth or muslin on very cold nights, and cut back watering. Dry, brown leaves in January are normal; wait for new growth in February before pruning.
• Black or yellow leaves: usually overwatering or poor drainage. Let the soil dry and check the drainage hole.
• Mealybugs and whiteflies: wipe off or spray diluted neem oil in the evening, repeated weekly.
• Leggy, thin plant: not enough sun or too many flower spikes — move to a sunnier spot and pinch regularly.

For more ideas on what survives an NCR summer on a balcony, see our guide to the best balcony plants for Delhi NCR heat, and for other medicinal herbs, our list of Ayurvedic plants for the home garden.

Religious significance

Tulsi is revered in Hinduism, especially in Vaishnavism, as a form of the goddess (often identified with Lakshmi or Vrinda) and as dear to Vishnu and Krishna. Tulsi leaves are offered in Vishnu and Krishna worship, and devotees wear tulsi mala beads. The annual Tulsi Vivah — the ceremonial marriage of tulsi to Vishnu in the form of Shaligram or Krishna — is celebrated in the month of Kartik, around Prabodhini (Dev Uthani) Ekadashi; in 2026 it falls in November, so check a reliable panchang for the exact date in your city. Traditional customs include not plucking leaves on certain days (such as Ekadashi) or after sunset; follow what your family tradition teaches. Other sacred plants — like the shami plant — have similar customs.

Health claims: what the evidence says

Tulsi has a long history in Ayurveda and contains compounds such as eugenol. A widely cited review, “Tulsi – Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons” (Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 2014), summarises laboratory, animal and small human studies. Much of this research is early-stage, and results should not be read as proof that tulsi cures any disease. Enjoy tulsi tea in normal amounts, and speak to a doctor before taking concentrated tulsi supplements, especially if you are pregnant, on blood-thinning or diabetes medicines, or preparing for surgery.

Mistakes to avoid

• Keeping tulsi indoors year-round. It needs direct sun; a windowsill without sun will slowly kill it.
• Letting it flower freely. Unchecked manjari exhaust the plant, particularly Rama tulsi.
• Buying “tulsi” without checking the species. Crush a leaf: holy basil smells clove-peppery; sweet basil smells like anise; camphor basil smells like camphor.
• Heavy pruning in winter. Wait until February–March, when new growth starts.
• Chewing leaves in large amounts. Traditional advice is to swallow rather than chew many raw leaves; in any case, moderation is sensible.

For most homes, one Rama tulsi for everyday use and one Shyama tulsi for its colour and stronger aroma is an easy, rewarding pair; add Vana tulsi if you have a garden bed that needs a tough, fragrant shrub. Give them sun, drainage and a little winter protection, and they will stay healthy all year.