Basil is a popular herb known for its aroma, sweet flavor, and visually delightful leaves. It is also preferred because of its low-maintenance property. However, it doesn't mean growing basil is a cakewalk. Basil succumbs to death with a little gardening mistake. You may have encountered a wilting issue with your basil plant that is bothering you, so you are looking for a solution to deal with the problem and revive the plant. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a beginner, wilting basil is the first symptom of the real problem. Let's learn more about the wilting problem, its cause, and ways to deal with it.
Know More About Basil
Basil is an annual plant that doesn't tolerate frost. The dark green leaves are used to enhance the flavor of caprese salads, pesto, and other dishes. It requires balanced watering and the right temperature to thrive. High winds, wrong watering schedules, and even insects can damage the plant.
What Are the Challenges Faced When Growing Basil?
You encounter the biggest challenge when you see wilting. The reason could be multiple based on the location where you grow them. If you grow basil indoors, it is vulnerable to sunlight, aphids and water problems whereas in an outdoor area, it faces the issue of sunlight, water and temperature. In most of the cases, water is responsible for the problems which we will discuss later in the article.
Reason for Basil Wilting
There are many reasons for basil wilting, but the most common reasons are irregular watering, soil health (too dry or too moist), stress and root disease. Underwatering for too long may cause wilting due to stress and over watering can damage the root resulting in fungal infection. Other reasons could be changing weather or transplanting stress which result in plant drooping.
How and When to Water Basil Plant?
If you know how and when to water your basil plant, you can save the plant from wilting or any other damage. If basil is planted in garden beds, water the soil weekly, but avoid splashing water on the leaves to avoid diseases. Check if the soil looks dry and then water them. The potted basil needs more care than the basil planted in the ground.
Water the house basil once or twice a week after checking the dampness of soil (use fingertips to check dampness). Water the basil more frequently when planted outside in containers (water them daily in hot weather) and twice a week if planted in the ground. If you overwater the plant, leaves start turning yellow, will droop, and the stem will turn black. Wait until the soil dries and then water.
Always water the roots and avoid watering the leaves because it causes black spots and black tips on the leaves. Water gets absorbed by roots and is transmitted to the leaves through the stem, so direct leaf watering should be avoided. You can move the potted plants indoors if there's a prediction of thunderstorms or extended rain storms.
If basil leaves are wilted and limp, it means the plant requires more water. All you have to do is water the base of the plant. If the plant is kept in a tray, let the tray hold water to provide moisture. You will notice that within an hour of watering, leaves perk up.
How to Care for Basil Plants to Save Them From Dying?
Avoid Over or Under-watering the Plant
Plants require moisture but over-watering leads to smelly soil, retarded growth, and dark and spongy roots. This is the sign of root rot. Remove mulch from the plant for better aeration.
Check the Soil Regularly
Keep an eye on the soil to check the dampness. If the top two inches of soil is dry, you should water them. If you witness signs of plant damage, cut the dead parts of the plants and replant in another part of the garden.
Keep the Plants at the Proper Location
Make sure the plant is kept at a place with sufficient sunlight and air. Basil requires six to eight hours of full sunlight in the morning and shade in the afternoon. You can place it near the windows because basil grows in indirect light too, but the leaves remain small in indirect sunlight. Avoid keeping it at a place with strong winds because leaves die due to strong winds.
Add Nitrogen to the Soil
Watering washes away the essential nutrients from the plant, so apply liquid fertilizers twice a year in garden-grown plants and once a month in the potted indoor basil. Using nitrogen fertilizer will help in robust plant growth, but well-decomposed manure can also serve the purpose. Nitrogen helps leaves retain the green color of leaves. Avoid adding too much nitrogen to the roots because it may turn yellow and leaf stems become leggy.
Keep The Plant Moist
Water the plant regularly. Water them at least twice a week during the summer. Try watering them in the early morning because it gives more time for the roots to absorb water.
Prune It Regularly
Overgrown plants don't thrive, so prune them often to avoid wilting. Prune it every two weeks to ensure the energy is directed towards the newly grown leaves rather than maintaining the old ones.
Plant Basil in a Well-Drained Soil
Basil requires a well-drained soil to thrive. Heavy clay soil and compacted soils are harmful for the basil plant because they hamper the water circulation. These soils retain the excess moisture becoming oversaturated.
Keep Pests and Insects Away
The best way to keep insects and pests away is to keep the garden free from debris and weeds.
