If the basil is dropping its leaves, it may be due to too much or too little water. Much damage to the plant can be avoided if watering is done correctly. Here we tell you what to look out for in summer and winter.
Water the basil properly
Pour basil from below
The plant, also known as Ocimum basilicum, does not tolerate being watered from above and, to a certain extent, sprinkled with water in this way. The better option is therefore to pour it from below or directly onto the ground.
In a pot or bucket, the plant can be placed in a bowl filled with water. The soil soaks up and nourishes the roots. If you have planted the aromatic herb outdoors, saturate the soil but do not water it excessively.
watering intervals
The basil does not have fixed watering intervals in either the cold or the warm season. Instead, through the thumb test determine if it needs water. To do this, the thumb (or another finger) is pressed lightly into the substrate for about two to three centimeters. If the soil is damp, no watering should be done. On the other hand, if it is dry, you should proceed as described above to water it properly.
During the winter, the intervals are usually much longer, even if the herb pot is in the warm kitchen. Due to the lower light and reduced growth, the crop also uses less water than in the summer months.
Soft water
In areas with hard tap water, it is better to use collected rainwater, aquarium water or pond water. This is not only softer and therefore better suited for the lime-sensitive basil - pond and aquarium water in particular also contains valuable nutrients. Since basil is a heavy feeder, it can be easily fertilized and comprehensively supplied directly when watering.
