- Water the basil correctly: How much water does basil need?
- Fertilizing basil: Which fertilizer does basil need?
- Pruning basil
- Caring for basil in pots: special features
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Basil is a must in a herb garden. We have compiled all the important care tips for you here.
The heat-loving basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a popular culinary herb. It is often used to flavor soups, sauces and vegetable dishes. However, you should take good care of your basil plant for lush growth and a bounty of aromatic leaves. Because unlike many other herbs, the Mediterranean herb has a high need for water and nutrients. In addition, due to its sensitivity to cold, basil must be kept as a pot plant at least during the cold months or - depending on the variety - even overwintered.
In the following we explain what you need to consider when watering and fertilizing and how to cut your basil correctly.
Water the basil correctly: How much water does basil need?
Basil does need a lot of water, but as with almost any herb, you should definitely avoid waterlogging. Otherwise, the risk of the plant dying due to root fungi increases. Likewise, unnecessary drought stress can lead to an increased susceptibility of basil to diseases. It is important to ensure that the herb does not wilt due to drought. This can mean that you have to water every day, especially when growing in pots. The basil is happy when its leaves do not get wet. The moisture on the leaves can quickly cause infestation with the so-called leaf spot disease. This is caused by a fungus of the genus Septoria. If the basil is grown in a pot, it is therefore advisable to water the plant over a saucer. Due to capillary forces, the water pulls up against the gravitational forces in the substrate and soaks it completely. A good supply of water is therefore also guaranteed with this irrigation method, which is gentler on the basil.
You should follow these instructions when watering basil:
- Water daily in summer if necessaryto avoid drought stress
- Avoid waterlogging
- Water close to the ground outdoors
- Do not wet the leaves to prevent disease
- In pot culture it is best to water over a saucer
- Reduced water requirements during dormancy in winter
Fertilizing basil: Which fertilizer does basil need?
Basil must be adequately nourished to produce many aromatic leaves. You can optimally support your plant with needs-based fertilization. It is best to carry out a basic fertilization in the spring. To do this, work an organic long-term fertilizer - such as our organic universal fertilizer from Plantura - into the top layers of soil or into the substrate. The fertilizer granules are broken down with the help of microorganisms from the soil and slowly release the nutrients for the plant. A second dose of slow-release fertilizer is recommended in early summer. Basil doesn't grow quite as much over the winter, which is why you can also reduce your fertilizer doses.
You can find more information in our special article on fertilizing basil.
Pruning basil
Basil is generally very tolerant of pruning. That's why you don't need to be afraid of a cut. On the other hand, you should avoid plucking out individual leaves, as this will cause the shoots to become bare. Therefore, when harvesting, cut off individual shoots completely. In this way, you not only encourage branching, but also suppress the formation of flowers. This is important because annual basil plants store bitter substances in their leaves during flowering and then die off completely afterwards. Shoots that are beginning to flower should therefore be cut off in a targeted manner. Always prune basil shoots back to a maximum of two inches, making sure to cut just above a pair of leaves.
As with other crops, it is advisable that you use clean and sharp tools, even in the heat of the harvest, to reduce the risk of invading pathogens.
Perennial basil varieties should only be cut back over the winter for harvesting purposes, as winter growth is reduced.
You should use these points when pruningof basil note:
- Use clean and sharp tools
- Don't pluck, always cut the entire shoot tip
- Shorten shoots to a maximum of 5 cm
- Always cut off above a pair of leaves
- Do not prune perennial varieties excessively in winter
Caring for basil in pots: special features
In principle, the same applies to care in pots as outdoors. However, you should keep in mind that potted basil has a limited root system. Therefore, it can access fewer nutrients and water than its peers that are planted out. Therefore, water and fertilize your basil in the pot regularly.
But you should give basil that has already been bought in the pot an extra treatment. The individual basil plants are usually sown far too densely for sale. The leaves and roots of the individual plants do not have enough space and the leaves lack sufficient light. For this reason, it is helpful that you take the seedlings out of their pot and thin them out. To do this, carefully loosen up the root system with your fingers and divide the bunch so that you get two pots of basil. Then pot both basil bunches in a pot with fresh soil.
Perennial basil varieties should be kept in pots, as this is the only way to overwinter them. From temperatures below 10 °C, the plant no longer feels well. It is therefore advisable to keep them bright and warm in the house. For more basil overwintering tips, click here.