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You are here: Experts > Style > Interior Decorating > House Plants > Basil Plant
Expert: Darlene K. Kittle - 11/1/2009
Question
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
IMAGE: Plant close up
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
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Darlene,
Thanks for your help, I will make sure to get it in a smaller pot as soon as possible. If all the leaves have fallen off but the branches are still there is there a way to make it grow back again? I live in Seattle, Washington, so the winters can get pretty cold, but I'm keeping the house fairly warm so the plants don't die. And after I get the sandy cactus type soil and transplant my Basil, how often should I water it? Is there a certain type of plant food that will help it grow better? Thanks for your help.
Kritika
Answer
Kritka,
You should keep the house much above 70 degrees because too hot can kill them also. The would actually like it around 65 degrees which would be a bit cool for you. They especially like the temperature to drop during the late evening and at night by about 10 degrees.
When you water you need to empty the drain tray 30 minutes after watering so it is not sitting in water which can cause the roots to rot. Then you need to let the soil dry out well between waterings. Insert a bamboo skewer into the soil an cut it off an inch above the surface of the soil. Pull it out when you feel it is time to water and if it is dry down to the bottom inch or two it is time to water but if half the soil is still moist you should not water it until it is dryer. The plant needs to dry out between waterings. Plants in nature cannot stand to stay wet constantly or they die, plants in pots are the same. Cut back on the amount of water you give it and the frequency of waterings and your basil will be healthier. Good luck.
Darlene
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