Although basil may seem easy and fun to grow because of its compact size, it can actually give you a lot of trouble if you don’t go about it the right way.
In today’s article, I’m going to take you through a list of some of the most common basil-growing problems gardeners typically face, as well as offer practical solutions to resolve them.
Let’s dive right into the good stuff, shall we?
Common Basil Growing Problems & Their Solutions
1: Leaves Turning Yellow?
If you notice your tiny basil leaves suddenly turning a strong shade of yellow or brown (discoloration in other words), your watering habits or lack of fertilizer use may be to blame.
Fix: Avoid flooding a plant as small and compact as basil with tons of water; it doesn’t need it. Moderate, consistent watering is much more preferable, as it will give the soil ample time to dry in between waterings.
Also, in terms of fertilizers, opt for a balanced or nitrogen-heavy one and dilute it well before application.
2: Drooping Or Wilted Plants?
Drooping or wilting basil is NOT a good sign! Oftentimes, it suggests potential issues with rot buildup and heat stress.
Fix: Since most root rot issues are caused by overwatering, your first priority in this case should be to reflect on your watering practices and amend them quickly. Improving drainage and repotting your basil plants in dry soil should also help.
Here’s another helpful read on what to do when your basil gets leggy or stressed.
3: Basil Leaves Have Black Or Brown Spots?
Blackening of the foliage and development of strange brown spots usually indicate a potential fungal infection or bacterial leaf spot that could be harming your basil plant.
Fix: Take immediate action and remove all affected leaves to contain the infection. A good way to prevent such fungal or bacterial infections is to avoid getting the leaves wet when watering and concentrating the flow of the water around the base of your basil plants.
If you’re also dealing with white spotting, here’s a detailed guide on what causes white spots on basil and how to fix them.
4: Basil Tastes Bitter Or Harsh?
If you notice that your basil has an unusually bitter or harsh taste after harvesting, chances are that it bolted (flowered prematurely) or faced underwatering stress while growing.
Fix: Keep your basil out of direct sunlight and heat to reduce any unwanted stress on the plant. You must also pinch off flower buds early if you want to prevent bolting.
5: Small, Pale Leaves With Weak Growth?
If your basil leaves appear to be getting weaker and thinner over time, often turning a pale color, it may signal a lack of proper light exposure and poor soil enrichment.
Fix: Keep your basil plant pot near a windowsill or a well-lit room with plenty of indirect light. A balanced fertilizer or some compost can drastically bring change to the quality of growth your basil experiences.
Here’s a helpful guide on companion plants that support basil growth (and a few to avoid)!
6: Black Powder Or Dust On Leaves?
A black powder or dust on basil leaves is the clearest indicator of fungal disease, specifically downy mildew.
Fix: To help your basil fight this fungal disease, the first thing you should do is space your plants out and give them proper airflow. Alternative solutions like baking soda or neem oil spray also help.
7: Chewed Or Ragged Leaves?
Yeah…we all know what this is…bloody pests and insects! Slugs, snails, and caterpillars will chew on your basil leaves and leave them for no good.
Fix: As a preventative measure, carefully monitor your plants from time to time to ensure pest populations aren’t spreading fast. Sprinkling some D.E. powder around the base of your basil plants can also help keep pests out.
8: Plant Is Not Bushy Or Full?
Although basil isn’t known for being the bushiest of herbs, healthy basil should still grow dense to some degree and have a full appearance. In most cases, it’s actually a lack of pruning that’s keeping the basil from growing to its maximum potential.
Fix: Trim dead wood and growing tips consistently from time to time to encourage the plant to branch out and achieve fuller, denser growth.
Take a look at this step-by-step guide on how to prune basil for a big, bushy plant.
Some Quick Prevention Tips For Healthier Basil
For even better results, take a look at why planting basil near tomatoes works so well, it’s a classic companion pairing that benefits both plants.
Let’s Conclude
Before you embark on your basil-growing journey, you must equip yourself with the right practical knowledge and have a general idea of all the common problems you might experience.
Starting out with relevant knowledge will give you a substantial edge over growers who kick off clueless and have to fail and learn along the way. To add to that, you’ll have the liberty to take meaningful action in time before things go sideways.
Now go grow some basil and let me know how it goes!
