Low light will cause slow, leggy growth, and new leaves will tend to be smaller or stunted. Basil can be referred to as the crowning jewel of the summer with many species scattered around the warm-regions of the world. If you’re running into problems and your Basil plant is dying, this article will help you identify the cause and fix your plant. Aerate the soil around the basil plant, using a weeder tool that looks similar to a flat screwdriver, but with a forked tip. One way to revive wilted basil is to simply spray it with water from a spray bottle. How do you revive wilted basil? Factors include; Overwatered Basil will initially develop paler, yellowing leaves, that often start from the lower leaves upwards. Pruning stimulates more growth from the leaves lower down and improves the flavour and aroma of the plant. Terrarium Soil Layers And Their Functions (With Pictures), Why Is My Croton Plant Dropping Leaves (And How To Fix It), How To Propagate Ivy In Water - Step By Step Guide, You can read how to propagate new basil plants here, I’ve written an article about identifying and treating common houseplant bugs. When growing basil outside, make sure all risk of frost is gone before you sow seeds or move your plants outside. Any factor that reduces root aeration or causes the soil to remain soggy will cause the same issue. Pruning basil regularly is the easiest way to prevent basil turning leggy. Like many plants, basil needs consistent watering. Your Basil plant responds to lower light by arranging the chlorophyll in the leaves to catch as much light as possible. How to Plant Basil Zones. The leaves of young Basil plants tend to have the best flavor, so it is a good idea to propagate your Basil plant every few months so you always have a frresh supply of Basil on your windowsill. Basil can grow leggy if it is deprived of light. Once you have brought the water to a boil, add the dried basil, and let it steep for about five minutes. Too much fertilizer can cause the plant to grow leggy so only feed basil once every 6 weeks at the most. The leaves of regularly pruned basil tend to grow more vigorously and larger so there is a greater harvest from each plant. Root rot and overwatering go hand in hand, so if you spot any signs of this, check your plant thoroughly. The upper surface of the root ball should be about two centimeters below the rim of the vase. How To Revive A Droopy Basil Plant Remove any brown or yellowing leaves. Here are 20 hacks that will bring your dead plant back to life. Not only does removing those bottom leaves hurt the plant, it doesn’t help the plant create new leaves and branches. by harvesting or pinching off the top sets of leaves as soon as the plant reaches about 6 inches in height. Basil plants are usually annuals, so individual plants typically only last one growing season. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Can You Use Coffee Grounds To Fertilize Indoor Plants? Keep harvesting the leaves to keep the plant … It also makes a happy container plant in a sunny kitchen. Water the plant at the first sign of wilt. The more sun light, the more essential oils and the stronger the aroma of the leaves and the more pronounced the flavour of the leaves. Very quickly, your basil plant will wilt badly and, if you don’t identify the problem quickly, your Basil plant is unlikely to survive. They looked a little droopy and wilting. In well draining soil, there are plenty of air spaces that allow air to circulate freely around the roots. Repotting your plant and removing all affected roots is essential, and you should take care to water conservatively after repotting so the plant has a chance to recover. Afterward, cut all the roots that have the shape of the pot they were in (usually, these are circular). Basil plants grow leggy because of not enough sun, without consistent pruning or because of too much fertilizer. Shock the leaves (not soak) for about 1-2 minutes, or just enough to … Often a plant that looks quite dead still has a bit of life in it and will almost miraculously start growing again with the right care. Sometimes, lighting problems can be a cause of a basil plant dying. Generally speaking, Basil is a very low maintenance, high yielding annual herb. I have been a qualified professional landscape gardener for over 10 years and I'm here to share all my experience with you on gardener report! This can make the leaves appear more vibrantly green than normal, and you may think your plant is the picture of health. Basil plants aren’t cold hardy, and they will usually suffer greatly if exposed to any frost. I bought these basil plants from the store. It will explain what to look for to identify the problem and show you how to fix your Basil plant. The leaves that you should remove are those growing on the top of the plant. Water your Basil plant thoroughly to help revive it. The basil leaves used in cooking grow on the basil plant (Ocimum basilicum). ** Basil can be a bit high maintenance to revive & store- if it’s exposed to cold water for too long, the leaves will turn black. If you’ve tried everything, and your plant still can’t be … By pruning the top of the plant you can harvest leaves for culinary use and allow more light into the lower part of the plant. Freeze Basil Leaves – I will strip basil leaves off the stems and freeze them whole just as is – no oil, no water, no nothin’. You can follow this guide to identify and fix root rot, or you may be better to simply take cuttings from your plant and try to propagate new basil plants. Basil requires evenly moist soil and quickly begins to wilt if the soil dries. Basil is a warm-weather, fragrant herb that tastes great in many dishes—including the beloved homemade pesto! Before you try to revive your plant, you must examine your plant and the growing conditions closely. If in doubt, plant … Now that you know the wrong way to prune basil, let’s go over the correct way to pick off basil leaves. The soil will be soggy, and if you remove the plant from the pot, the roots will be mushy and brown or black in color. Fusarium wilt is a group of soil-borne fungal diseases that affect numerous ornamental and edible plants. You can read how to propagate new basil plants here. There’s no need to worry about your Basil dying when you can just take a few cuttings and propagate them in soil or water. As a fragrant herb with different colors, they are easy to grow and can add a kick of flavor to a lot of dishes such as homemade pesto. Basil is an ideal herb to grow in your kitchen or herb garden, and generally they have the reputation of being easy to care for. If that’s … Place it in bright, indirect light rather than in full sun and water your plant every time the surface of the soil feels dry to touch. Aphids are larger and should be easily spotted. Again to fully revive a basil plant that has become leggy it is important to prune the stems back which allows light to reach the lower leaves and encourages a more bushy plant rather then a long leggy plant with few leaves. If you hold your hand up in an area of bright, indirect light, your hand should cast a shadow with a fuzzy border. However, persisting low light will soon lead to yellowing of the leaves, brown lower leaves, leaf drop, and eventually cause your basil plant to languish or die. Alternatively you can use an all purpose fertilizer but always follow the manufacturers instructions when fertilizing basil with a product as too much nitrogen can burn the roots, cause the plant to be leggy and it can be a to the detriment of the flavour of the leaves. Here’s how you properly harvest basil… Once the soil dries out, you should resume watering, but check the plant every day or two, and only water once the surface of the soil is dry. Growing basil requires a more balanced approach to fertilizing. Ensure basil is in full sun for a more well developed plant with lots of leaves that have a great flavour and strong aroma. Why is my Basil plant dying? However if you have used excessive amounts of fertilizer or applied fertilizer more frequently then once every 6 weeks then the basil can grow leggy and droopy or perhaps have a wilting appearance. To prevent the disease, water at the base of the plant and never use a … Place it in bright, indirect light rather than in full sun and water your plant every time the surface of the soil feels dry to touch. Too much competition can weaken basil plants, use a big pot with nitrogen-rich and well-drained soil to make sure they get all the nutrients needed. When to Plant Basil. Avoiding underwatering can be difficult, but developing a habit for checking the water needs of your plants every day or two is a good strategy to prevent it from happening. Too much fertilizer can also have an impact on the aroma and taste of the basil leaves, with a weaker flavour and less fragrance. Harvesting basil correctly is an important step to growing it. Older Basil plants will commonly develop woody lower stems. Check your basil’s soil every few days and water if the soil starts to become dried out or if your plant is looking a little droopy. Basil plants can tolerate temperatures down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). If this is … If you’ve picked up a Basil plant for your kitchen herb garden, it’s easy to forget the importance of providing optimal lighting for your plant. Again to fully revive a basil plant that has become leggy it is important to prune the stems back which allows light to reach the lower leaves and encourages a more bushy plant rather then a long leggy plant with … When warm temperatures arrive, plant holy basil outside in a prepared bed or container. Choose a method that works best for you and how you use basil when cooking. Once you prune the abnormal roots, loosen the other roots so they hang down, loose and free. The soil will take a long time to dry out and the roots will be deprived of oxygen for an extended period of time. Although there are a few troublesome diseases that can affect Basil plants, there are really only two that will result in a Basil plant dying or wilting badly. Keep a saucer under the plant and water gently until the water reaches the saucer below. Basil leaves taste bitter after the plant has flowered and the basil does not produce many more leaves. If you can’t provide direct sunlight for your Basil plant, then bright, indirect light is the next best thing. Prune once every tow weeks in the Summer to avoid a leggy basil plant. Anaerobic conditions in the soil of your basil plant weaken the roots and allow opportunistic organisms to attack the roots of your plant. (Causes And Solutions). Read this article for instructions on how to propagate Basil. Root rot is a disease caused by a collection of bacteria and fungi which result in similar symptoms and have a common cause. Watch this YouTube video for a great visual guide for pruning basil to prevnt it from becoming leggy: For more information read my article why is my basil flowering? Why Is My Basil Plant Dying? To free your basil, start by taking your basil out of the pot. How to revive a dead plant, step 7: Compost. Brown stems can be a sign of bacterial or fungal diseases. Overwatering is the most common cause for your Basil plant dying. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. 6 Return the plant to the bag and seal. In fact, reviving an underwatered plant is normally much easier than reviving an overwatered plant. This small shrub can add scented greenery to a favorite corner in your garden. How do you keep Basil plants alive? When growing basil indoors for transplant, start them 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost date. With over 64 species, the flavor intensity, color, and appearance can vary greatly. Planting basil in a pot that is too large. Read this article for instructions on how to propagate Basil. Grow supermarket basil this way and you’ll have dozens of plants that will thrive all year long. Even temperatures below 50°F (10°C) can cause your plant stress, and lead to wilting. Fertilize basil plants with liquid plant food every 2-4 weeks. Here’s a YouTube video for transplanting basil easily: Best Potting Soil for Herbs (With Examples). Instead of buying a potted plant from a garden store, you can grow your own basil plant by rooting a cut stem from an existing plant. Bring in a new, wider and deeper, pot and transfer your basil to it. With your hands and fingers, apply pressure to the surfaces of the pot so the plant can slide out. If your Basil plant is dying due to a lighting issue, low light is by far the more likely cause. Good pruning is key to reviving leggy basil so pinch off or snip the stems once the plant has exceeded 8 inches of growth to remove excessive flopping basil stems so that plant perks up rather then droops under its own weight. Basil should be fertilized on a regular basis with organic fertilizer. In soggy soil, water fills these gaps and deprives the roots of oxygen, which is essential for their survival. Enjoy your stay at Smart Garden Guide. Aphids and spider mites are both sap-sucking pests. They came with several bunches and they were half off and discounted because they've been there in the store so long. If your Basil plant is growing inside, you will rarely have issues with the temperature, unless your plant is placed next to a drafty window. First, make sure you give your plants enough water (daily) and sunlight (more than 6 hours of a day). Reviving Your Wilting Basil Plant. Read my article on how often to water basil in different climates for the right balance of moisture. Basil is full sun often requires more watering. Temperature stress, lighting problems, disease, or pests are also common causes of a basil plant wilting or dying. Take the plant out and remove the water. But make sure that the pot has good drainage, because soggy soil … If there is no shadow being cast at all, the light is probably insufficient for your plant. Add some water to the bowl and bring it to a boil over high heat. Prune Your Plant. We did that and they seemed near their death after doing so. Freeze Basil in Oil – Fellow Professional Home Economist Mairlyn Smith shows you how she freezes basil by chopping it and mixing with oil.