You can remove bugs by hand or by using a spray of insecticidal soap. When using the soapy mixture, spray the plant in the shade and not in direct sunlight so you don't burn your basil plants. Bacterial wilt is another possible cause of wilted basil. A common tomato disease, bacterial wilt can also affect basil, so you should not plant basil in areas where diseased tomatoes have grown in the past several years. According to Clemson Cooperative Extension, infected plants as well as the surrounding soil should be removed.
Fusarium wilt is caused by a fungus in the soil that blocks the uptake of water in the plant, causing it to wilt. According to Missouri Botanical Garden, if your plant is infected, it will look droopy during the day and will recover at night. It's important to wash off any tools that may have come into contact with the infected plant to prevent the disease from spreading.
Affected plants should be removed. Look for basil varieties that are disease-resistant because even when infected plants are removed, the fungus remains in the soil for several years. Kathleen Marshall has been a writer and editor since , specializing in health, nutrition, gardening and outdoor living. She received her master gardener training at the University of Florida and has more than 20 years of experience with herbs and supplements. By Kathleen Marshall Updated August 24, Related Articles.
If you have a very low light home but are determined to have fresh basil for your recipes, I commend you and recommend investing in a grow light to get the highest harvest for your effort!
I wrote about fixes for this common problem. I always like to consider the original habitat of the plants I am growing. It can give you great insight into how one ought to care for said plant. These environments can be humid, sunny, and have loamy soil.
Genoa, the region in Italy known for basil production and the invention of pesto, has a humid and sunny summer. With the ocean breeze there is little chance, even with the humidity, of leaves retaining moisture and rotting. Similar conditions are found in other regions of Italy.
So although not native to the country, basil plays a prominent role in Italian cuisine. So, if you live in a humid area, with warm and long growing seasons, basil is the plant for you! Here in southeast Texas the summers are sunny and the air is so humid you simply breath and are hydrated. Basil always preforms well for us because of this! Prior to living in this region we were in the Texas hill country. Although much more arid bless it the porous, limestone soil is exactly what you would want for basil.
The plants just needed more irrigation to combat the dry climate. All that to say, you need not let your environment discourage you from growing this delicious herb. Just pay attention to your plant and adjust your care routine to give the plant what it needs to flourish.
Remember that basil is a very easy going plant. I often find that once it is in the proper conditions, I can hardly keep up with its production. Thankfully, pesto freezes beautifully and basil leaves dry easily so you can enjoy you herb all year long!
June 15, Healthy basil ready for use! Wilted Basil and Its Discontents Basil thrives in high quality, moist soil, and is fairly sensitive to changes in growing conditions. If you have a basil plant drooping in its pot or garden, here are some of the conditions you can control that could cause basil to droop or wilt: Not adjusting your watering frequency in response to a change in weather or climate conditions.
Inadequate drainage. Poor choice of planter or plant pot. Basil loves both full sun and cool, moist soil, which means you need to consider the planter material carefully. Most established basil plants in the garden center or supermarket are sold in thin plastic pots. Unfortunately, those plastic pots are excellent at conducting heat, causing the soil to heat up and dry out faster than more natural materials, such as terracotta, clay or ceramic.
Infrequent pruning. Basil needs to be pruned once every two weeks or so, or once it reaches 8 inches in height. By pruning the top of the plant, you get to use the leaves, but you also allow the leaves that sit lower on the plant better access to sunlight. A dramatic change in growing conditions, such as would occur with a heat wave or cold snap, or if you transplant the plant from the supermarket or basil seedling from indoors to your home garden, or move a basil plant from your outdoor garden indoors, can shock your plant.
If this is the case, it will require a bit of time and care to get your plant back to its best self. Visually inspect your basil plant. Also stick your finger down into the soil and notice it feels dry, give your basil plant a good soak right away.
Once the plant has recovered, move it back into full sun. Consider mulching the surface of the soil to conserve moisture and reduce evaporation. Increase the frequency of watering if needed. You should also water in the morning, before the heat of the day sets in. Plants in plant pots can suffer if the pots lack drainage holes in the base, for excess water to flow out of the pot.
If you have soggy soil and are concerned this is the cause, either add more holes for drainage if possible or re-pot.
Growing Cycle, Pruning and Flowering Allowing your basil plant to flower is another common reason for wilted basil. Changes in Growing Conditions Basil is fairly sensitive to growing conditions, preferring full sun, and consistent temperatures and moisture conditions. Wilted Basil Due to Higher Than Normal Temperatures or a Heat Wave Although Basil can tolerate high temperatures as long as you keep the soil consistently and adequately moist, higher than usual temperatures can cause your basil to wilt.
Dry soil is one of the most common reasons a basil plant is wilting.
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