Transplanting and pot size

Transplanting is important thing with growing Tulsi at home.

It allows for fresh soil to be introduced to Tulsi which helps her to grow greener and more beautiful. When she was smaller I used to transplant her two times a year.

In Spring time I would buy her a size bigger pot and transplant her, and in the Autumn I would again buy a size bigger pot but few times i didn't really need to change it. 

I would just take her out of the pot, check if she has filled the pot (roots being visible on sides of soil) and if she hasn't I would take out a bit of side soil around her roots ( be careful not to damage her roots) and then put her back in the same pot while replenishing some of the soil on the bottom and sides of the pot. 

I would also place a  fresh layer of soil on top of her roots and that would be enough for her to be reinvigorated.

Please note you need to water her a night before transplanting to make sure her soil would not crumble away or break apart damaging her roots and get someone to give you a hand with doing this as when she grows bigger it can be a bit challenging task. If you only water her just before transplanting the soil would not really absorb the water yet and it would be a messy work.

With pot size I would suggest a simple thing. Start with small pot and each year use a size bigger, for example: start with 10cm pot, then move her to 15cm, then 20cm, 25cm, 30cm etc.

I'm not sure if you've noticed how some Tulsi's have a huge pot while they are still a babies. Devotees sometimes think that will make a difference, or maybe think it would stress her less, or just want not to  worry about transplanting her every year.

I found she doesn't mind transplanting and introducing her to a bigger pot with fresh soil around her roots works well. Especially if you consider you might be fighting with pests like spider mites, or mealy bugs which will require you to use a bit of natural soap, part of which will finish in her soil and introducing fresh soil works well for her.

The other point with transplanting is the need to use organic soil that is not being contaminated with blood and bones mixture which is very popular in 'organic mixes'. Take your time in reading about the soil or simply ask in your temple which soil brand is best to use.

That's it, start with small pot and step by step introduce her to bigger ones, use organic soil and be gentle.