Are you worried about your Wilting Basil? If yes, then you are at the right place. Commonly known as ‘Great Basil’, this beautiful culinary herb is widely popular for its vast usage in cuisines.
Apart from being grown on a large scale, this is a common herb that is part of home and kitchen gardening. However, this delicate herb is highly prone to drooping of leaves.
In this article, we are summarizing a guide about 7 reasons for Wilting Basil and How to fix them.
Why is my Basil Plant Wilting?
This annual herb from the famous mint family is quite tender in nature. Any disturbance in growing conditions will start affecting the foliage. Among these, basil plant wilting is one of the most common problems your Basil foliage will show.
Top 7 Reasons for Basil Leaves Wilting and Solutions to Fix them
The common possible reasons include:
- Watering Problems
- Diseases
- Pests
- Unsuitable container
- Flowering
- Unsuitable temperature
- Transplantation shock
Let us discuss each reason of basil plant wilting above-stated in detail:
1. Watering Problems:
Unsuitable watering is one of the most common reasons for wilting, drooping, and curling of Basil leaves. To avoid these issues, you must understand the proper method of Basil watering.
How to water a Basil Plant?
The key here is to soak the soil by watering generously and wait for it to get dry before watering again.
You must be careful to follow a schedule and avoid both over and under-watering the plant.
Under-watering:
- The leaves of an under-watered Basil Plant will start curling and changing color from yellow to brown. This will be followed by wilting and falling down eventually.
- Thirsty soil is another indication, looking dry and leaving the edges of the pot.
How To Fix Under-Watered Basil?
Just soak the soil while you spare the foliage to avoid wetting it and attracting other plant issues. Afterward, wait for about two to three days to see a recovery.
In advanced conditions, you can further conserve moisture by mulching the soil surface to avoid the evaporation of water.
Over-Watering:
Over-watering is another common mistake you may make for basil leaves wilting. The Plant will show almost similar signs as that of the former one.
How To Fix Over-Watered Basil?
- Check the drainage at the base and add a drainage layer to the pot to get rid of excess water.
- Place the plant in a well-ventilated place and let the soil dry out naturally. If the soil still remains soggy for about three to four days, you may need to repot the plant.
2. Diseases:
Prevention is always better than cure, they say. The ideal way to avoid all these issues is to follow a proper watering schedule. The rule of thumb here is to soak the soil instead of the foliage. Afterward, allow it to dry out before the next watering.
Common diseases causing wilting basil include Downy Mildew, Fusarium Wilt, Leaf Spot, and Root Rot.
- Downy Mildew: Over-humid conditions cause discoloration of foliage followed by eventual wilting and falling.
- Fusarium Wilt: Wet and soggy soil attracts this fungal disease, stunting the root growth. Early signs include brown streaks on the stem internal discoloration and a crooked appearance.
- Leaf Spot: Spotted and falling foliage is a possible indication of this fungal disease.
Solution:
In all of the diseases mentioned above, removing the affected foliage in its earliest possible stage is the best strategy. Unfortunately, the severely affected plant must be destroyed immediately to save the surrounding plants.
- Fungal Root Rot: This fungal root disease is accompanied by wilting and falling of the leaves. You can save the wilting Basil plant by letting the soil dry out or repotting in severe conditions.
3. Pests:
Finding chew marks or holes on the leaves can be major sign of pest infestation. and for basil, These damage symptoms can often point to pests such as aphids, mites, or whiteflies. The key to controlling these pests is early detection and prevention.
Regularly inspecting your basil plants for signs of infestation, such as sticky residue or small insects on the underside of leaves, can help prevent a major outbreak. Keep in mind that some natural predators, like ladybugs and lacewings, can actually be beneficial for controlling pest populations.
When chemical control is necessary, choose products specifically labelled for use on basil and always follow application instructions carefully to avoid harming your plants or yourself.
You can also use a soap solution to wash off the pests from the basil leaves. Also, neem oil can work effectively . So, with diligent effort and a little luck, you’ll be able to enjoy those delicious basil leaves without any unwanted visitors.
4. Unsuitable Container:
A small pot not giving enough room to the roots is another possible reason for wilting basil and discoloration. The plant must be transferred to a larger pot in order to ensure proper nutrient absorption for the roots.
A terracotta, ceramic, or clay pot, around 12 inches wide with drainage holes at the base is ideal for your Basil. Alternatively, plastic and metal containers causing summer heat up are a ‘Big No’ for these plants.
5. Flowering:
Annual herbs like basil naturally shed their leaves on the start of flowering. Left unchecked, it will convert all its energy into seeding. Resultantly, the leaves will turn yellow followed by wilting and falling off.
However, you can keep it alive by different methods like annual pruning. Moreover, you can pinch off the tips of the plant to encourage leaf growth and avoid flowering.
Cutting the plant to half of its size is a common expert practice. This will encourage leaf growth in the upcoming weeks.
6. Temperature Changes:
Tropical plants can’t withstand severe levels or abrupt changes in temperature. Now you know the reason behind your basil leaves wilting after a hot summer week, a chilly winter, or a sudden change in weather.
Direct sunlight can also heat up the plant and damage the foliage. Thus, place your plant in a place with a stable and moderate temperature. Outdoor peeps must be converted indoors before it falls by 50F. Moreover, the plant should not stay in direct sun for more than 6 hours, especially in summer.
Watering is another strategy to combat extreme summer. Experts recommend watering the Basil soil daily or every other day before the peak of the day.
7. Transplantation Shock
Just like the majority of other plants, transplantation is another cause of wilting Basil. Any sudden change like repotting or changing the location may affect the leaves making them droopy.
To avoid this issue, you must give due time to help the plant accept the change. For example, if you want to put your Basil outdoors, it must be first placed in a slightly sunnier place for a week or more. Moreover, watering should also be increased to combat the increase in light and temperature.
Just be patient for about two to three weeks until you see your Basil plant slowly getting active again.
Conclusion
‘Why is my Basil Plant Wilting?’ is one of the most common questions asked by many gardeners and you may also face it while growing this herb. The top reasons include inappropriate watering, unsuitable pot, flowering, and transportation.
Following proper basil, care is crucial to avoid these issues in the first place. This includes
- moist soil,
- at least 6 hours of daily sun
- scheduled pruning.
- make sure you fertilize in the warm season
- save the plant from severe temperatures.
Experts recommend having a close weekly check on all of your plants. This will help to identify and control any surfacing issues, helping you enjoy a healthy green basil plant.
If you have any unique experiences with your basil plant, remember to share it with us in the comment section below.
