Basil is actually a real southerner and likes warm temperatures. You can find out how to successfully overwinter your basil here.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) originally comes from Africa and Asia and is therefore spoiled by the sun and warmth - the plant does not tolerate frost. It is therefore not that easy to get basil he althy through the cold German winter. We will show you which varieties are best for overwintering, how your potted basil can survive the cold season and how to care for the plant after winter.
Winter basil: choice of variety
Not all varieties of the aromatic herb are good for overwintering. Annual basil varieties (such as Genovese basil) have little chance of surviving the winter. Even basil plants from the supermarket are usually only intended for one-off consumption and are not suitable for overwintering. For this we recommend robust varieties of shrub basil - such as different varieties of African basil (Ocimum kilimanscharicum x basilicum). Nevertheless, you should not forget that more resistant varieties also need temperatures above 10° C and can only survive the winter indoors on the windowsill. The following varieties are particularly suitable for overwintering:
- Green-leaved African basil 'African Green': aromatic, the white flowers are also edible, very robust
- Red-blue African basil 'African Blue': Tart, aromatic taste, strong growth, robust
- Mammoth basil (Ocimum basilicum): Strong aroma with a note of cinnamon, red stalks, very large, robust
When buying, always pay attention to the quality of the plant. Only a he althy basil plant offers the best conditions for surviving the winter.
Overwintering basil in pots
If basil is grown outside in a border, it should be transplanted into a pot before temperatures drop below 10°C. To do this, select onegenerous pot that offers enough space for the basil plant. We recommend a pot with a circumference of 20 cm. It is best to use a high-quality and nutrient-rich soil such as our Plantura organic tomato and vegetable soil as a substrate for basil. Conventional herbal soil does not meet the requirements of basil.
Basil plants on the terrace or balcony should also be brought in before the temperature drops below 10°C. It is not absolutely necessary to cut back the plant for the winter. Basil loves it sunny and warm, and it also needs a lot of light. That's why a place on the windowsill is particularly suitable. The optimal temperatures for basil in the pot are between 15 and 20 °C. Drafts should be avoided in any case.
Regular watering is important in any case, the soil should always be moist. However, waterlogging must be avoided at all costs. In order to ensure a continuous supply of nutrients for the basil in the pot, it should be fertilized regularly. Depending on the fertilizer used, we also recommend providing the heavy-duty herb with additional nutrients every four to six weeks. We recommend a primarily organic long-term fertilizer for this, such as our Plantura organic universal fertilizer.
Overwintering basil in a pot summarized:
- Sunny, bright and warm location
- Temperatures from 15 - 20 °C
- Water regularly, avoid waterlogging
- Fertilize organically every 4 to 6 weeks
Tip: The limp, drooping leaves tell you that the plant is lacking water. If you water now, the leaves will straighten up again. Always pour directly onto the soil, never from above onto the leaves. Watering over the trivet or dipping the root ball into a bucket of water is also well suited. Here, the very dry substrate is penetrated as quickly and completely as possible with water.
Winter basil in the bed
Since basil comes from tropical areas, it loves consistently warm temperatures (day and night), stops growing at low temperatures and in this case even dies off completely. To avoid disappointment, here is the sad truth: it is not possible to grow basil in beds over the winter in our latitudes. At the latest when the temperatures drop below 10 °Cfall, you should save your basil and move it from the bed to the pot or plant new basil next spring.
Caring for basil after winter
If the basil has survived the winter on the windowsill, the plant can be planted out again. But be sure to pay attention to the temperatures: If they still fall below 10 °C - as can often still happen during the Ice Saints in mid-May - then it's better to wait a little longer before planting out. If it gets warmer again in spring, the growth of the herb is stimulated. Therefore, a larger cut in the spring can be advisable. The plant can then develop new shoots and leaves, thereby preventing excessive lignification.
Outside in the bed, the basil plant should definitely be protected from snails. Collect them every night or set up barriers. Especially after the winter, the basil is dependent on sufficient watering and fertilization. Since the aromatic herb grows more strongly in summer, you should fertilize once a week with a predominantly organic organic universal fertilizer to ensure optimal growth.