Ocimum tenuiflorum

Judging by its popularity on urban windowsills, tulsi must be a simple plant to grow. And yet, I have been singularly unlucky.

Four times I bought the plant, four times it perished. Each time I tried rationalising – over-watering, under-watering, over-watering again. But the fourth time, even I couldn’t invent a reason, I gave up.

And then, one seed riding on the wind decided it liked my fifth floor balcony and set roots there.

I ignored it and it thrived. Perhaps it craves neglect.

And till the plant decides it doesn’t like me, I pamper my cold with tulsi chai.