Basil
Basil (Ocimum spp.) has its roots in India and Africa but is mostly known and appreciated all over the world. The word basil comes from Greek basileus meaning King and it certainly can be considered royalty among herbs.
For a variety of basil flavors, plant different kinds in one pot such as Lemon basil (Dani), Dark Opal and Sweet Italian.
Care
Basil has broad, dark green aromatic leaves that can be grown from seed. It should be started indoors in early spring (May) or sown directly in the garden after danger of frost has passed. Basil needs warm soil and temperature to germinate. If started too early you will get slow, weak growth so don’t rush it. Transplants can be planted when temperatures are above 50 degrees at night. This heat loving annual, thrives in warm weather, requires full sun and a rich well drained soil. As with many herbs, it needs little fertilizer; in fact with too much fertilizer, basil will develop a bland flavor. Container grown basil may need more fertilizer than basil grown in the ground.
Plant 12 inches apart to allow room for growth as they grow as wide as they get tall (12-24 inch). To maintain the size and shape of this vigorous growing plant, pinch frequently. For best leaf production and flavor harvest your basil often and enjoy.
Once the plant reaches maturity or temps are over 80 degrees, look for emerging flower heads which will drain the plant of energy to produce more leaves. Pinching or deadheading doesn’t stop flowering, it encourages more flowers. To discourage flower production and stimulate more leaf growth, cut the stem at least six leaf nodes down. If basil is allowed to go to seed, the leaves will develop a bitter flavor. For a continuous supply of fresh basil, plant at three week intervals during the summer. Plant it next to tomato plant to improve their flavor.
There are more than 150 species of basil grown around the world. Even the most popular have a wide range of leaf shapes and flavors from anise, camphor, cinnamon to lemon. Sweet Italian Basil has an anise flavor which brings out the essence of summer tomatoes. ‘Genovese’ as well as bush basil (O. basilicum minimum) are great for pesto and Thai (Siam Queen) impart a spicy flavor with a hint of licorice to Thai and Indian cuisine. The dwarf to medium sized basils; such as Little-leaf bush or Spicy globe are ideal for small pots and window boxes. We cannot forget Dark Opal Basil which not only stands up as a culinary herb but also works well as a decorative accent plant. Combine basils with parsley, sage, rosemary and chives along with any one of your favorite herbs in a large container, place it close to the kitchen door and you will have a convenient culinary herb garden at your disposal.
Basil tip: Mosquitos and flies dislike the smell of basil. Grow it on a patio or deck to keep them away.
Rub crushed basil on your skin to repel mosquitoes.
Problems; light green/yellowing leaves possible overwatering or needs fertilizer.
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BASIL LEAVES ARE SMALL AND SPOTTED. PLEASE ADVISE
I am growing Basil and did not know to pinch the blooms. Will it hurt the plant? If I start now will it help. The leaves are small.
Thanks!
How can I propagate basil. I have a large plant in the garden and would like to save it for the winter indoors.
Am growing basil outdoors in a pot - sunny spot, gets lots of water. Is starting to wilt and leaves turning slightly yellow. Too much water? Too much sun?
Growing sweet and cinnamon basil outside in south Florida. I am seeing web shaped light spots with a dark center on the top of some leaves? All plants are potted and drain well between waterings. Please help.
Not sure but it may be a leaf spot. Are you getting the leaves wet with overhead spraying?
I am watering soil only. It is strange that all of the spots are the same even though on different plants. Note - The light shaded web shape is shiny.
I am growing Italian basil and the plant grew beautifully until the roots got hard and woody looking. Is this normal? What can I do to prevent? Thanks.
My basil plants grew- from seed- and I’m very excited to have it. I live in a cold northwestern climate and planted them in a container that I keep in my kitchen window. They’re doing so well I’m afraid to touch them. I’d like to use it this summer for cooking, but don’t know how to clip leaves without hurting the plant. I read something about clipping a quarter inch above the “node” but I’m not sure where that is and if there’s more than one- where do I start? Until I read this I didn’t even know it could flower. Do I start at the top, the bottom or the side of the plant and where do I clip?
Thanks for the help.
My basil plants are out in my veggie garden, seperate from the other plants and there seems to be some sort of bug eating at the leaves at night what can I do?
My basil is in a plastic container, the problem is the the bottom of the stalk is getting brownish and the leaf is starting to wilt. I already give it a lot of water.This is the third time my basil tree has the same problem. what should i do?
I have 3 basil plants growing in a planter. They have been growing like crazy all summer and I have been careful to pinch off the tops before any flowers appear. I had 1 flower pop up on 1 of the plants and now all 3 plants have a strong licorice/bitter flavor. Is there any way to recover the sweet flavor? What are my options?
I am growing some Ocimum gratissimum in the UK from seeds I picked in Nigeria. I have a number of small plants growing which I am keeping in plastic “tents” to try and replicate the humid climate. They seem to be doing ok, however recently the leaves on the plants have started turning yellow in between the veins, which remain green. Any suggestions?
Basil: I have plants in my garden that look healthy except the leaves started to wrinkle instead of open to be smooth. What can I do?
I recently inherited an outdoor basil plant nearly 2′ tall and very dense. I have read that basil is an annual but this plant (I believe) has survived outdoors for a number of years (central virginia). Could this be a perennial variety ? and, should I bring it indoors before the first frost comes ?
I just got my first Basil plant and it’s in a plastic pot. I keep it in a sunny place and water it on days that it does not rain. However most of the plant has died away just leaving brown stalks, and the leaves that are left are brown spotted. I don’t want to toss the pour thing but I don’t know how to save it.
Brown spotsIs it ok to eat basil leaves that have brown spots?
Hi, my Sweet Basil plants are growing quite nicely except the stems seem to be very weak. Is this normal? If not, what do I do about it?
The plants are growing in a pot outside on a sunny balcony.
Thanks!
Frozen Basil
Can you do anything with a basil plant after it has been affected by a frost ? Can you still use the basil ?
I have tried Basil as a house plant many times but it never seems to live. It always seems to get infected with bugs. Then the rest of my plants get the bugs. Can basil live as a house plant with other house plants? If so what can I spray it with to kill the bugs and and still use the basil for cooking?
I live in North Florida. I planted Basil in Summer. It grew fine than stopped, turned yellow and has not really done anything. Will it grow now that the weather is cooling a bit or just die off. I’m not sure if I should just pitch it or maybe move it to a bigger container? Ahhhh…It’s in a 4″.
My basil plants is dropping all it’s leave since I brought it indoors for the winter. I live NE of Philadelphia. It sits near my sliding glass door. Help. I don’t want to loose the plant. I use it for many recipes. Can I dry the leaves or freeze them? How?
I live in Melbourne, Australia and have just planted some basil in a pot a few weeks ago. It has been growing well but in the last couple of days some of the leaves have turned a lightish colour of brown. What does this mean? From other comments I gather too much water would this be correct?
Something is eating away at my basil plant. It is planted in a container and I can’t find any bugs on it. Do snails and slugs like to eat basil?
My basil is planted in a pot outside in a fairly sunny area in San Diego. It has been a very successful plant, for about 8 months. Lately, it’s leaves have been turning lighter in color (almost yellowish) and have started to look sparse, loosing it’s leaves. Also, the stems appear woody. I don’t know what kind of basil it is. This winter’s lowest temperature was 40 degrees, so I don’t think frost was the problem. Can you suggest anything that I can do to make my plant more healthy?
Hi Scarlet
Is your basil in a container or in the ground? Have you fertilized it lately? Basil needs temperatures in the 50’s to grow.
I’m growing holy basil (Tulasi) in pots, indoors in a deep, south-facing bay window, plenty of sun, temperature day and night between 70-85 (regulated by a small gentle fan/heater). The younger plants have developed crispy brown tips that gradually covers the whole leaf, which then falls off. (The older plants don’t seem to be affected.) Some of the affected leaves start with brown spots mid-leaf, then the crispy brown takes over. Do you know what this is and how to prevent and/or remedy it? Thanks very much.
Hello, my basil is thriving however these little green catarpillars are eating it. What should I spray on them to get rid of them? We eat the basil so it needs to be something non-toxic. It is also planted with tomatoes in pots on a balcony.
Hi Rodd
BT bacillus thuringiensis can be used on basil. I would wait a week before eating the basil.
What is the lowest temp Basil will survive the night at?
We are having crazy lows here in Florida Ft Lauderdale in the 35s at night.
Hello, my poor basil plant needs some help. The stock and the stems are brown and very brittle, with No actual basil leaves on them. I went away for 5 weeks on holiday and returned to this. I had a friend water it during this time but no help.
Is it time to say good bye to this plant? I have had it for over 3 years. Or can I salvage it somehow.
Thanks
I have a basil plant, in a 15cm diametre pot. I am in cold cold berlin (temperature about 7/1°C day/night) and am wondering if it is even possible to keep it alive.
How can I do this. I live in a flat containing one balcony that gets decent sunlight.
Help!
Hello,
I am growing 3 small basil plants from seedlings on my balcony in Louisiana. Two of my plants in the last two days now have about a 1 inch brown section in the middle of the stem, and have flopped over, like someone chopped them in half. There are also small black gnat-like insects hanging around. I can’t seem to find what they are, or what to do about my felled stems. I’d like to use organic methods if i can save my plants. Please help!
Hi. I have a potted garden on my patio, including basil. I keep getting lots of tiny white bugs…maybe moths. Is there anything I can do to get rid of them?
Hi,
Just bought a new basil plant, ive had some before but of course they all died. I am determined to make this one last through the summer. What first of all is pinching? and, What leaves should i take first when using it to eat, so that it will continue to grow bushy and beautiful? Should i wait inbetween picking it? Thanks Amy
HI Amy
Pinching is cutting/trimming off the new growth tips. See comment from Carrie 6/07/2009. You can use to latest or top growth which is tender and flavorful.
Hi, I’ve had my basil plant for about a month, and it seems really weak. Also, i found white spots on it. however, not all the plants have white spots, only four do. However, it seems like the white spots are taking over the leaves. I’m not sure if it’s powedery mildew or not. What should I do if it is, or isn’t?
Thanks
I have basil plant potted with some cilantro and parsely. It looks droopy and one of the stems near the soil line is brown. It has been a chilly spring here - just now getting into the 70’s during the day. I have been bringing the pot indoors at night when temps drop below 50. I’m not sure what is causing the droop and brown stem…it gets decent sun and I keep it watered. Could it be the chilly weather or do you think I should take the basil out and give it its own pot? The cilantro and parsely are thriving and are much larger.
Hi Rose
Cilantro and parsley tolerate cooler temperatures than basil. Being crowded in the same container can also make it susceptible to fungal infections (stem is brown at soil line).
Hi, I have a couple of varieties of basil in a sunny window. Granted I’m in the fog zone in San Francisco so it’s not sunny all the time. But it gets plenty of light. Some of the leaf tips are turning black, and they get crisp and dry. The plants overall look healthy and I’m taking care not to over- or under-water. Is this a disease? Can I do something about it besides picking off the leaves with the crisp black tips? If I don’t pick them off eventually the entire leaf turns black and crispy, but it typically starts with the tip.
Thanks!
–Priti
My basil is getting taller. Only a few leaves at the top and it is yellowing. I started to get a little white flower on the top. I pinched it off but I can’t cut it back because there are no leaves at the bottom. I only have tall stalks with leaves at the top. HELP!
Hi! We have grown basil from seed, and currently have about 7 stalks in a pot. Ours are also flowering, which was when i starting to see what to do next. Only 2 or 3 have flowered, but they are still producing new small leaves on the bottom of the stalks. Should I cut down the plant to those new leaves or just below the flower? We also have in the same pot some flat leaf parsley from seed that is not thriving; any tips on those little guys? Any advice would help!
Hi! Great website, loads of information here.
Unfortunately, I am also having a small issue with two of my basil plants. They appear to be thriving and healthy, except for a small patch in the center of each plant where one or two stems are turning brown and withering away. It looks like white mold/watery soft rot from what I can find about it on the internet.
Is there any way to treat this without losing the plant? Is the basil still safe to eat? Thanks in advance!
Cut back basil
I know your supposed to cut back the plant and only have a couple leaves, but what if my plant is 4-5 inches long and then the leaves start?
my basil plants stalk is turning black. the leaves are green but i am concerned about the stalk. does it have a disease?
The stalk may have stem rot caused by a fungus. Are the leaves wilting?
I just received a potted Holy Basil (Idian tulsi) which looks like it needs major TLC, & naturally, I turned to your site for some help
The plant is about a foot & 1/2 tall, with pale green leaves, which are drying & falling off too quickly. Some of the stemms are long & leafy, & there’s new leaves on older woody stems too. Overall, it looks more ragged & sparse, than bushy, so am wondering, having read comments above, whether I should cut the plant down? Almost like the poinsetta, which results in new growth- would that work? & since it’s been indoors, near a window but no direct sun, should I move the pot outside? I live in a north-east facing apt, which gets morning sun for an hour, & then again in the evening. I will repot in fresh soil, in an earthenware pot since this plant does seem to flourish better than in a plastic pot. Would appreciate if you could give any advise on how to help to grow a healthy plant. Thanks!
I noticed flowers on my Basil plant and started pinching them, but as you imply will happen, they just kept coming back. Finally, I read that I need to cut down the stalk to a lower node (wish I had come across this webpage earlier!). My question is, will the new growth leaves taste bitter, or will they be normal? In other words, is it too late to save this plant and will I have to replace it? Thanks!