How To Maintain Basil Plant

Purple basil adds a splendid burgundy color to the garden. Originally from india, basil is used to flavor.

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Ocimum basilicum, commonly called basil, grows as an annual that is used in cuisines all around the world.

How to maintain basil plant. This helps leaves to keep their full flavor. Plant seeds or transplants after all danger of frost has passed and soil is warm, and it will yield an abundant harvest within weeks. Sometimes the lifespan of the basil plant can be short, so harvest away, basil lovers.

In this article, we’ll consider the best way to plant and maintain basil. Check your basil’s soil every few days and water if the soil starts to become dried out or if your plant is looking a little droopy. Keep picking the leaves to keep the plant producing more.

The size of your plant will depend on the variety, the growing conditions, and how much you harvest. We’ll look at the various triggers that can cause basil leaves to turn brown and suggest ways to deal with each of these. Water basil in small pots every 2 or 3 days or ideally, plant the basil in a larger pot (around 12 inches across) which improves root development and the health of the basil so it grows more leaves.

Keep a saucer under the plant and water gently until the water reaches the saucer below. Basil can't be planted until after the last frost date, but in the heat of summer it will produce abundantly. Although basil appreciates moisture, the roots will rot in soggy soil.

Once a basil plant goes to seed, the existing leaves begin to lessen in flavor, so don't be afraid to cut and use it, as soon as possible. It is important to maintain a good balance of moisture whilst basil seedlings are developing roots. When you move your basil (and its compost) to a very large container (well above the 2 gallons and 8 inches of depth) with new humid compost, the roots might rot.

Like a wannabe broadway star, basil just loves the spotlight. Basil plants can have a short lifespan. If you choose growing basil plants, dig a small hole, tease out the root ball some and plant the basil plant in the ground.

It also encourages a stronger and bushier plant. Brown leaves on basil is usually a sign of a problem with the plant’s health and should be addressed as soon as possible. Cutting the main stem will yield two new stems growing from it.

Pruning them off significantly hurts the plant. The correct way to prune basil. Be gentle when handling your plant.

Indeed, healthy basil needs to be able to maintain a normal humidity level of the soil in which is planted. Removing them will make the plant focus energy on developing a good root system. Plant basil alongside chamomile, lettuce, peppers, and oregano.

Avoid these problems by waiting to plant outside until the. When you buy a pot of basil, you are not buying one plant, but a tightly sown clump of more than 20 seedlings. If basil is planted outdoors, water it deeply.

If you choose growing basil seeds, scatter the seeds over the location that you have chosen and lightly cover with dirt. How to take care of an indoor basil plant. Plant basil where the plant will get a minimum of six to eight hours of bright sunlight every day.

I even like to keep a few pots of basil on my back porch to deter mosquitoes. The central stem will be the thickest one in the middle. Like many plants, basil needs consistent watering.

About basils there are several types of basil to choose from. Be sure the soil drains well. Give them adequate water and harvest regularly to encourage your plants to keep producing leaves.

Basil is very sensitive and can bruise easily. You can definitely keep a healthy basil plant indoors, but you’ll want to make sure it gets at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Once you have successfully cultivated your basil plant, you need to provide it with regular care to maintain it.regardless of whether your basil plant is inside in a pot or outside in a soil bed, you'll need to follow a similar care regimen to keep your plant healthy.

The most common is bush or sweet basil, a compact plant growing to 18 inches or so during the season. Monitor the basil plant throughout the entire growing season and repeat step 2 once or twice each week to keep the basil plant producing leaves. Keep the soil evenly moist, as lack of water causes water stress that can eventually kill the plant.

Not only does removing those bottom leaves hurt the plant, it doesn’t help the plant create new leaves and branches. Keep harvesting the leaves to keep the plant going strong. If you’re planting your basil outside, make sure it’s not in the shadow of your house or a tree.

The flowers are edible, too, so don't despair if a few plants get ahead of you. This exercise is meant to remove all but a few leaves from the plant. The best part of this step is that you can use all of those growing tips to make a nice pesto that very day.

Add a few drops of plant food to the water after 6 to 8 weeks to maintain healthy basil. Fresh basil can replace dried basil in many recipes. Wait until the basil plant is about six inches tall before you prune it.

Do not allow your basil plant to flower unless you want seeds for next year’s plants. Jayme henderson) how to harvest basil. How to prune a basil plant.

Thin to 6 inches apart once the seedling come up. You may harvest only what you need, or if you have an abundance on hand, you may clip a mass harvest. A basil plant is made up of a one tall, main stem with sets of small leaves growing out of each side.

Unglazed terra cotta pot and matching tray potting soil The more pruning occurs, the more bushy and healthy it will become. Now that you know the wrong way to prune basil, let’s go over the correct way to pick off basil leaves.

Simply place the cutting, cut side down, in a clear glass of water and set it in a sunny spot. Basil plant care and maintenance by heather lacey hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. The more you take, the more basil gives.

This gives the appearance of an extremely healthy, bushy plant in far less time.

How to Trim Basil How to trim basil, Basil plant