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Basil growing indoors requires at least six hours of sunlight. Basil plants should be placed in a sunny window, preferably facing south. Otherwise, these potted plants may need to be grown under fluorescent lights. With this type of lighting, basil plants will need about 10 hours of light for healthy growth.
How do you keep basil alive indoors?
Basil Plant Care Tips Water regularly – basil likes to stay moist and requires approximately 1 inch of water every week. Fertilize lightly –basil is a vigorous grower requiring very little to no fertilization. Pinch back leaves – pinch leaves from the tips of your basil as soon as the plant has two sets of true leaves.
Why is my basil plant dying inside?
The two most common causes of a Basil plant dying are overwatering and underwatering. Temperature stress, lighting problems, disease, or pests are also common causes of a basil plant wilting or dying. Basil plants are usually annuals, so individual plants typically only last one growing season.
Does basil need full sun indoors?
Whether being grown indoors or outdoors, basil plants need ample light—at least 6 hours of full sun daily. If you’re using fluorescent bulbs, keep your basil under them for 12 hours a day, with the lights about 2 to 4 inches away from the top of the plants.
How long will a basil plant live indoors?
How Long Basil Plants Live? The basil plant’s lifespan differs depending on how you take care of it. If it is grown inside where there is less threat from cold winters, it may survive for six months. However, if grown in the ground, basil lives for about four to five months in warm, sunny conditions.
Where should I keep my basil plant?
If you’re planting your basil outside, make sure it’s not in the shadow of your house or a tree. 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. A kitchen windowsill is often your best bet.
Does potted basil grow back?
Also known as common or sweet basil, basil (U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 11 for outdoor gardens) is a true annual, which means it needs to be replanted each season. In most circumstances, it does not grow back after a year.
What kills basil?
Freezing temperatures kill basil. The first sign of cold damage is usually wilted leaves, or leaves that begin to curl and dry around the edges. Plants may survive a light freeze.
How do I know if my basil is overwatered?
Signs of Overwatered Basil Yellow leaves that start from the lower leaves and work upwards. Drooping and wilting leaves. Nasty odor coming from the soil. Stunted growth. If you remove the plant, the roots will be mushy and brown or black.
How do you fertilize basil?
Fertilizing Basil Apply it when you would normally water the plant. If you choose a granular type fertilizer, choose a balanced one with equal amounts of nitrogen, potassium and phosphate. 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 formulas work well for fertilizing basil. Scatter the granules around the plant and water them in well.
Can I grow basil in water?
Growing basil in water is a great way to make many specimens from your existing basil plant. For this, buy a healthy basil transplant from a garden center and easily multiply it by growing cuttings in glass jars filled with water. This is by far the best method for propagating basil.
When should I repot basil?
Indoor basil plants are ready for repotting when the seedlings are strong enough, which usually happens two to three weeks after germination. When transplanting your basil plants outdoors, ensure that the outside temperatures are suitable, and you have hardened the plants.
Does basil regrow after cutting?
When you clip basil stems back to a fresh set of leaves, you force those leaves to grow, doubling the basil produced on that stem. And as those stems grow, you can pinch them back and double their production – it’s exponential! To remove flowers. Eventually most basil plants produce flowers.
Do I cut basil from top or bottom?
Harvesting Larger Amounts: Harvest the leaves from the top down, cutting back up to a third of the total plant height. Be sure to cut or pinch right above a leaf pair rather than leaving a stub. In a few weeks, your basil plants will be ready to harvest again.
How do you keep basil alive outside?
To grow basil plants outside, prepare a bed with organic matter such as composted manure, pine bark or compost to create the rich, well-drained environment that basil loves. Work into the soil approximately 3 pints of 5-10-10 granular fertilizer per 100 square feet.
Does basil multiply?
Use a clear glass so you can watch your basil propagation grow roots. Change the water every few days until you see root growth, then leave your basil propagation roots to grow to about 2 inches (5 cm.) or so. This can take two to four weeks. Basil propagation is a great way to share your basil.
How long can basil last?
Fresh basil doesn’t last very long. Even if you keep them in the fridge, you will still find the shape of the leaves goes wither and the color turns black in about 3-4 days.
What bugs eat basil?
The most frequent assaulters of your precious basil plant leaves are Japanese beetles, slugs and aphids.
Why is my basil plant drooping?
Basil plant droop that appears suddenly on young plants is often caused by fusarium wilt, a fungal disease that causes stunted growth and droopy, wilted, or yellow leaves. Eventually, leaves may drop from the plant. Fusarium wilt is difficult to manage and can remain in the soil for 8 to 12 years.
