STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

jettie · Kate Spade

basil help

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

How is it dying? Is it wilting, drying, yellowing?

NCshopper · Hermes

It probably wouldn't hurt it to put it in a bigger terra cotta pot. Also, make sure to trim off the flowering parts--you want the plants energy to go into producing more leaves instead of flowers.

jettie · Kate Spade

Wilting, drying, etc. There aren't any flowering parts yet (I heard that is when the plant is going bad/flavor isn't as good).

Maybe I'll replant it this weekend into a bigger pot...

Suasoria · Chanel

Keep it out of the very hot, direct sun. It can't handle as much sun as other herbs. Try a spot where it can get morning sun but be protected from massive doses of afternoon sun.

Those thin plastic containers plants come in are not good homes for the long term. They don't provide much in the way of insulation from the heat and cold. I would repot it, but don't put it in anything that's more than 2 or 3 times the container size it's in now so that the root system is able to find water efficiently.

And don't cry if it dies - I've found they aren't that easy to keep alive!

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Suasoria wrote:

Keep it out of the very hot, direct sun. It can't handle as much sun as other herbs. Try a spot where it can get morning sun but be protected from massive doses of afternoon sun.

Those thin plastic containers plants come in are not good homes for the long term. They don't provide much in the way of insulation from the heat and cold. I would repot it, but don't put it in anything that's more than 2 or 3 times the container size it's in now so that the root system is able to find water efficiently.

And don't cry if it dies - I've found they aren't that easy to keep alive!

agreed. And, if you move it into a less intense sun situation, you may not have to water it as often too.

Grace · BCBG

Don't overwater, put it in a place that gets morning or afternoon sun not both and when it start to flower, pinch the flowers off.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

I agree. I have successfully grown and successfully killed basil. I would keep it in a shady area most of the time and pop it into the sun for a few hours a day. Right now my apartment is located in direct sunlight all afternoon so I have killed everything I grow. Back at my parents house though they have the perfect spot on the back patio where it gets indirect sunlight and everything except oregano flourishes.

Elle · Hermes

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has trouble with basil! Last year, I had 3 basil plants in a large planter box - one flourished, the other 2 sat there all summer and did absolutely nothing. All treated the same, same sun, same water.

In general though, I've had luck with things in containers as long as the container isn't too small (dries out too fast). I like to put some water-absorbing gel/crystals in with the potting mix too, to help keep things evenly moist. Also, most things do better with a little afternoon shade like some other girls mentioned.

Maybe try again in the fall when things cool down a bit again?

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

You know come to think of it. The only basil I have had luck with are the ones I grew from seeds. Not sure why but when I have tried the pre-grown ones they all die pretty fast. Maybe I will try seeds again.