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You are here: Experts > Style > Interior Decorating > House Plants > Basil Plant
Expert: Darlene K. Kittle - 10/31/2009
Question
Hi,
A few months ago, I had a friend give me one Indian Basil Plant (Ocimum sanctum) and it had numerous leaves on it and was healthy. I translplanted the basil into a decent size pot and it grew well over the summer.
Just recently though as the cold started, I realized I had overwatered the plant and the leaves were turning brown on tips and falling off. I got new soil and transplanted the Basil into another pot because the soil in the other pot had grown very hard due to the excess water. Now the basil has turned a very light green and only has some leaves on top which are slowly turning brown, going crisp and falling off. Since the winter has started I put up a lanp with 6400K.
I don't want the plant to die, is there something I can do to help it grow well again.
Thanks,
Kritika
Answer
Kritka,
Your spindly little plant is in way too large a pot. It should be in a pot no larger around than the widest span of the branches which looks like it should not be in more than a 4 inch pot. It also needs to be in a very fast draining sandy cactus type soil so that it does not stay wet for long periods of time. It needs to never sit in standing water so you need to empty the drain tray 30 minutes after you water the plant EVERY time you water. What has happened is when you overwatered a lot of the roots rotted off the plant. Now when you water it there is so much moist soil in that large pot that the little plant with very few roots left does not have time to use up all the water in the pot and give the roots a chance to breathe in some carbon dioxide through the roots which it needs to do between waterings before you are back with the water pitcher again. In a smaller pot it would dry out better between waterings and have that time to breathe that the roots need so it would grow more roots back. Good roots are the key to a healthy plant. Your lamp does not do nearly as well as the sun and it needs to be on for at least 14 hours a day to keep your plant happy. It should also be no more than 12 inches above the top of the plant. You did not say where you were so I am assuming you are in the US. It would be happiest in temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit in a location without cold air drafts. If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck.
Darlene
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