Pest identification
What's eating my holy basil (tulsi)?
Aphids
Signs: Soft insect clusters on new shoots; sticky honeydew and sooty mold; curled or yellowing tips
Control: Spray off with water; apply insecticidal soap; release or attract ladybirds and parasitic wasps
Spider Mites
Signs: Pale stippling and bronzing of leaves; fine silk webbing, especially in warm, dry conditions
Control: Increase humidity; neem oil or miticide soap spray; avoid water stress; remove heavily infested stems
Japanese Beetles
Signs: Lacy, skeletonized leaves with veins intact; feeding in late June through August
Control: Hand-pick in the morning; neem oil spray; floating row covers during peak season
Fungus Gnats (Bradysia spp.)
Signs: Larvae in soil damage fine roots of potted plants; adults are a nuisance; seedlings may wilt and yellow
Control: Allow soil to dry between waterings; yellow sticky traps for adults; Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) drench for larvae
Keep holy basil (tulsi) pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Holy Basil (Tulsi) pests — FAQ
What is eating my holy basil (tulsi)?
Holy basil (tulsi) is attacked by aphids, spider mites, and thrips, and Japanese beetles will skeletonize leaves in US gardens. Its strong essential oils deter some pests, making it generally resilient, but young plants and indoor-grown tulsi are susceptible to mites and fungus gnats in moist compost.
How do I get rid of aphids on holy basil (tulsi)?
Soft insect clusters on new shoots; sticky honeydew and sooty mold; curled or yellowing tips Spray off with water; apply insecticidal soap; release or attract ladybirds and parasitic wasps
How do I get rid of spider mites on holy basil (tulsi)?
Pale stippling and bronzing of leaves; fine silk webbing, especially in warm, dry conditions Increase humidity; neem oil or miticide soap spray; avoid water stress; remove heavily infested stems
How do I get rid of japanese beetles on holy basil (tulsi)?
Lacy, skeletonized leaves with veins intact; feeding in late June through August Hand-pick in the morning; neem oil spray; floating row covers during peak season
How do I get rid of fungus gnats (bradysia spp.) on holy basil (tulsi)?
Larvae in soil damage fine roots of potted plants; adults are a nuisance; seedlings may wilt and yellow Allow soil to dry between waterings; yellow sticky traps for adults; Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) drench for larvae