Basil flowering takes energy from leaf production, causing leaves to become bitter and bad for cooking. Keep basil from flowering by pinching off any flowering bits to redirect energy to the leaves. Prune and pinch your plant regularly to keep it healthy, lush, and useful. With the right love and care for a basil plant, it's not long before you have the main ingredients for delicious culinary recipes and a wonderfully bright addition to your herb garden. But trouble could be brewing if your basil plant grows too far. When flowers appear on a basil plant, it's best to get rid of them and stop them from continuously blooming. But why is it important to keep your basil from flowering? Here's what the experts say happens, and what to do if your plant has already flowered. Meet the Expert Adam Weiss is a master gardener and the founder of Pike Lane Gardens, a wellness program rooted in sustainability bringing organic vegetable gardening to the workplace. Sara Rubens is a certified garden coach and the founder of Seed to Sanctuary, which helps folks create edible gardens. Why Keep Basil From Flowering? Although there are over a dozen different types of basil out there, you'll find that it's better to prevent most from flowering. Flowers can range from white to purple and while they might look nice, this impacts the flavor. "If left to bloom, the plant will redirect its energy toward producing seeds rather than growing new leaves," says master gardener Adam Weiss. "This can cause the plant to slow or stop leaf production, making the existing leaves tough and bitter." Bitter basil defeats the purpose of an herb garden as the leaves become unusable in cooking. The best way to stop this is to prevent basil from flowering. Simply pinch off any flowers or buds to continue redirecting energy to the leaves. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! What Happens If Basil Flowers If basil flowers, it becomes more bitter. That's why pruning basil is a large part of the care requirements for this plant. Have a pair or scissors or shears at the ready to collect leaves and nip anything in the bud before it blooms. "By pinching off the flower buds as soon as you see them, you encourage the plant to keep producing fresh, tender leaves instead of going into reproduction mode, often called bolting," says certified garden coach Sara Rubens. By making use of your basil plant, you're also supporting its health and growth. So don't be shy about snipping off leaves for your projects. "Regularly harvesting basil and removing the top few sets of leaves (including any flower buds) also keeps the plant bushy and vigorous," explains Rubens. "It promotes branching, which leads to a fuller, more productive plant." What to Do If Your Basil Already Flowered Don't worry if your basil has already flowered, you have a few choices to prevent more bitter leaves. "You can still pinch off the blooms and harvest, but the flavor might not be as sweet or intense as it was before," says Rubens. As for any other plants? Keep a watchful eye and stay on top of pruning to avoid losing out on the tastiest flavor. However, you don't have to remove or cut back the ones that have flowered either. "If you’re growing multiple basil plants, you can choose to let a few flowers remain, which will help attract bees and other beneficial pollinators to your garden," says Weiss. "You can then use those flowers to create basil-infused oils and vinegars." Other Basil Care Tips If you're new to growing basil or are after a few extra care tips, here's what to know: Transplant your basil outside at the right time. Weiss says to start it by seed indoors, then move seedlings outdoors once it starts hitting 70°F outside, where they should be spaced 8-10 inches apart. Grow companion plants for basil like asparagus, tomatoes, and chamomile nearby to keep pests at bay and boost the flavor. Don't forget about a good fertilizer. "Periodically use a nitrogen-based fertilizer on your basil plants to stimulate healthy leaf development," says Weiss. Create a regular pruning cadence to prevent blooming and create a plant that's more voluminous.

Growing basil (Ocimum basilicum) is not difficult, as long as you know how to water it. The schedule may vary depending on your climate and whether you have it planted indoors or outside. Generally, this perennial herb does well in warm climates and thrives in full sun. However, it still likes moist, well-drained soil. "Just like an outdoor garden, every indoor growing space is unique," says Jordan Mara, founder of Mind & Soil. "Rather than having a strict watering schedule, focus on paying more attention to the foliage and soil to determine whether the plant is in need of its next watering." Here is everything you need to know about basil watering needs. Meet the Expert Jordan Mara is the founder of Mind & Soil. When to Water Basil Basil loves moist soil, so it makes sense to give the herb infrequent deep waterings instead of daily shallow watering. The reason for this approach? You want the water to penetrate at least 2 inches of soil so it won't dry out as quickly through evaporation. "Additionally, this trains the roots of the plant to search down more deeply for water, creating a larger root system," Mara says. A mature plant will likely need a good deep watering once a week, but of course this might depend on the environment, especially if the basil is planted inside. "This is because the light source is not as intense as the sun and there is generally less airflow indoors," Mara says. "As a result of a less intense light source and less wind, the soil will not dry up as quickly." For outdoor basil gardens, Mara says the best time of day to water basil that grows outside is either first thing in the morning or in evening. "Avoid watering in the middle of the day as the water will evaporate most quickly at this time and water on the leaves can result in burning from the sun," he says. Basil Water Schedule: Indoors and Outdoors Like with most plants, the frequency of watering depends on the amount of light, temperature, humidity, soil type, and potting container. The main thing to keep in mind when it comes to basil is that it likes moisture. As a rule of thumb, you want to aim to water once a week, however, if your basil is potted indoors, you may want to increase watering to every two to four days as the water may evaporate quicker. This approach also applies to basil in pots, even if it is outside. Unlike basil that grows in the ground, potted basil can dry out faster. "This is because rather than only the top of the soil being dried out by sun and wind, now all sides of the pot are being exposed to the sun and wind," Mara explains. "As such, evaporation now occurs from all directions." However, it's important to keep in mind that every environment is going to be different. Brown recommends focusing on paying attention to the actual foliage of your plant and digging down two inches into the soil rather than a fixed schedule. Light Basil loves sunlight. It grows exceptionally well when exposed to about six to eight hours of light each day. Keep in mind that even though this herb loves the sunshine, if you have direct midday sun, it may dry it out too quickly. Ideally, basil should have full morning sun that isn't too intense. If you notice that the leaves are pale green, instead of vibrant green, that means the herb may not be getting enough light. If your potted basil is indoors, move it to a sunnier location. Temperature and Humidity Very warm temperatures are quite hospitable to basil. You will have a full plant when the temperatures range between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature goes above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, the plant may undergo stress and the leaves may dry out. In that case, increase the watering frequency and create artificial shade. If the temperature drops to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the basil will not do well and the leaves may blacken. Anything below 45 degrees Fahrenheit is likely to harm your herb. When it comes to humidity, basil will thrive when the levels are somewhere between 40 and 60 percent. Indoor humidity is typically around 30 and 60 percent, so your window sill planters of herbs should do just fine. Soil Type Basil does well in well-draining soil. You can purchase vegetable and herb potting mix for both your planters and garden beds. If you have your soil tested for pH levels, basil will grow well in the 6.0 to 7.5 range. Potting Container Basil loves well-draining soil, so make sure that if you are using a planter, it has well-draining holes. You do not want the basil roots to sit in water. Also, make sure that your potting container has ample space for roots, a large pot that is at least 9 inches deep and 12 inches wide is a good start. Basil does especially well in raised beds or containers because both offer drainage and a welcoming environment that retains heat. This is particularly helpful in the spring when the plant is establishing. How Basil Plants Hold Water Basil is a humidity-loving plant and can absorb moisture through its leaves. This means you can mist the herb, in addition to providing it with plenty of water. The plant uses its roots to drink up water, but too much water around the roots can cause them to rot. For deep watering, Mara suggests the following: use a watering can or the shower setting on your hose and begin watering the soil all around where the stem enters the ground. If possible, avoid watering the leaves and only water the foliage. Once the water begins to pool, move on to your other plants and return to the basil plant after two to three minutes. Dig down 2 inches again to check and see if it's moist. If it is, you're all finished. However, if it is not moist 2 inches down, do a second round of watering. Repeat this process until the soil is moist 2 inches below the surface. Signs Your Basil Plant Is Underwatered Sad, sagging leaves are a sign that basil needs more water. If the plant is wilting, find a watering can pronto. You should also look at the soil level, if it is dry at the two inches level, it is time to water, Mara recommends. Here is what you should look for. Wilting leaves Sagging and drooping stems Dry soil at the base of the plant Remember, basil needs at least 1 inch of water every week to stay healthy and thrive. Signs Your Basil Plant Is Overwatered According to Mara, if your basil plant's leaves start to show brown or black spots, it is a sign that you are overwatering. Keep an eye out for the following. Brown spots Wilting stems Yellow leaves at the base of the plant Foul soil smell (a sign of root rot) Note that brown spots on leaves could also mean that the environment is too cold for the basil. (You'll also see this happen in the fridge if the temperature is too low). Store herbs in a crisper or in the front of the fridge if this is the case.

Healthy basil leaves are bright to deep green, with a few edible varieties producing foliage in purplish red. When leaves start to take on a yellowish color, it's a sign your basil plant's growing conditions are wrong in some way. Yellow basil leaves quickly lose flavor and texture and you could end up losing foliage altogether, so it's important to identify the problem and correct it quickly to save your harvest. Here are seven common reasons why basil leaves turn yellow, plus tips on how to fix and prevent the problems. Overwatering Overwatered basil is prone to root rot, which causes the plant to wilt and lower leaves to turn yellow. To know if overwatering is the cause of yellow basil leaves, check soil moisture by poking in a finger or using a moisture meter. Potted plants may need to be moved into a new pot with fresh, dry potting mix. For in-ground plants, hold off on irrigating until soil has had a chance to dry out. To prevent root rot, allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry between waterings and make sure potted plants have plenty of drainage holes. If you're growing basil in a pot, be sure to drain off all excess water before returning the plant to its saucer. Poor Drainage Poor drainage also leads to root rot and yellowing of leaves. Loosen compacted soil with aged compost or sand prior to planting. A mix of compost and potting soil also allows for good drainage in potted plants. Leave plenty of space between plants; 12 to 16 inches in the garden bed. Avoid crowding too many plants in one pot. Basil grows best in large deep pots with about 3 gallons of soil for each plant. If the soil in your potted plant is compacted, you can break up the soil by gently poking in a dowel. Tip One main stem of basil may look a little lonely in a large pot, but don't let this tempt you into crowding in too many plants. With proper pruning each plant will fill out into a bushy form with plenty of leaves and will need all that extra space. Nutrient Deficiency Feed basil with balanced NPK fertilizers like 10-10-10. Nitrogen deficiencies can cause leaves to yellow. Inadequate levels of magnesium, iron, and some other micronutrients may lead to chlorosis, which is a yellowing of leaves due to poor photosynthesis.1 Add compost to garden soil before planting to boost available nutrients. Potted plants benefit from regular feeding every two to three weeks throughout the growing season. Incorrect Light Basil is a warm-weather annual that grows its best leaves with 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily and temperatures in the 50 to 80°F range. It does not tolerate frost. However, extended periods of temperatures above 80 degrees F. can cause leaf burn. Edges turn brown, and leaves yellow, eventually die, and drop off. In hot, dry climates with extended periods of temperatures in excess of 80 degrees F., a little afternoon shade helps avoid leaf burn. Inadequate Air Circulation When properly pruned, basil grows into a bushy form with plenty of dense foliage. This makes it important to give each plant plenty of individual space and to practice good harvesting habits throughout the season to maintain good circulation within the plant. Keeping the center of the plant open prevents leaves from compacting together which causes wilting and yellowing and reduces the harvest. Bolting Although basil is a warm weather herb, hot summer temperatures quickly spur the plant into bolting. When leaves start to take on a yellow caste, this can be a signal your plant is preparing to produce flowers and go to seed. During warmer periods, check your basil daily and pinch out buds and flowers forming at the top of the plant. This, in turn, promotes branching and more leaves. Pests and Plant Disease Basil is not particularly vulnerable to insect pests, although a spider mite infestation causes yellow stippling in the leaves, which eventually turn brown and fall off. Look for webbing underneath or between leaves. Depending on how bad the infestation is, several treatments with neem or a horticultural oil might be needed. Downy mildew causes yellow splotches on leaf tops with a grayish spore-like mold on the undersides.2 Plants affected with this fungus can't be saved, although unaffected leaves can still be harvested and are safe to eat. Pull the infected plant, remove any usable leaves and put the rest of the plant in the trash. Fusarium wilt is another fungal infection identified by yellowing leaves with brown spots. There is no cure for fusarium wilt, so plants should be removed and disposed of.