Questions tagged [basil]

Basil is a culinary herb (Ocimum basilicum) from the mint family. Use this tag for all varieties of basil (sweet basil, holy basil, etc.)

Basil is a culinary herb (species Ocium basilicum) from the mint family commonly used in pesto and many other culinary dishes.

Basil grows well in hot, dry conditions and dies at the slightest hint of frost. It can also be grown indoors as long as there is adequate sunlight.

Use the tag along with . In addition, if the question is on:

Don't forget to read existing questions to see if your question has already been answered.

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How closely should herbs be spaced?

Newbie herb planter here who is very confused by all of the different information online about how best to start planting herbs. I have started with the following basic herbs: Basil Oregano Coriander I have three ~15cm planters or so on a windowsill…
R14
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What are these white spots on my Basil Leaves?

My basil plant has some odd white spots on the lower leaves. The upper leaves look like healthy leaves, with only the lower ones being affected. Some pictures of a sample leaf: Any ideas as to what they could be and how to treat them? Extra info:…
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Will a basil seedling regrow after its leaves were eaten?

I planted purple basil a couple of months ago; its true leaves were beginning to develop but a slug (I'm guessing) devoured all the leaves from the seedlings. The stems are present so will it still be able to live and just regrow new leaves?
Les
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Why is my basil plant oozing brown sap?

My indoor basil plant has been forming these brown beads on the bottom of leaves and on stems. I think it might be sap that's been oozing out that's turned brown / hardens when exposed to air. In the photo, you can see: the brown bumps on the stem…
Sherwin Yu
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Keeping basil fresh as long as possible....should I remove the plastic?

I'm wondering how to keep my basil usable for cooking as long as possible. Bought this today from the shop: On the label it says "Keep in the light and water daily", but I'm not sure if I should remove that plastic thing, so maybe it could breathe…
Alex
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Basil & Catnip Fail to Germinate

I'm trying to germinate some basil and some catnip seeds. The basil is the regular, plain basil, like you'd purchase at any box store. I bought one of each of these plants in the spring of 2013 and put them in the garden. They did excellent. The…
Dalton
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How can I tell the difference between etiolation and a sunburn?

I'm attempting to grow plants from seed during the winter, by using a desk lamp and a timer to simulate 12 hour days. Since I know sprouts require a lot of light, I placed the desk lamp such that the bulb is about 2 inches (5cm) away from the soil.…
John Walthour
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How to identify real holy basil?

I need help identifying some plants. Unknown Basil 1 Unknown Basil 2 Potential Holy Basil 1 Potential Holy Basil 2 I purchased these two types of basil online. They both claim to be holy basil but they are clearly two different types. I noticed…
Jono
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How to save my plants after fertilizer overdose

Yesterday we accidentally put too much fertilizer into our pots. Today the leaves start to turn brown. Is there any way to save them? Some details: We have two pots - one with basil, one with Aloysia. The fertilizer contains: 12% Nitrogen, 6.1%…
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What are these white things on my Basil Plant?

I’m a beginner with gardening so I don’t know much about it. I bought my basil plant from the supermarket and it was growing well for the first few weeks. I was just about to water my basil plant until I saw this. What is it and is it normal? I have…
Bunny
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What does my basil need?

I planted some basil seeds and grew them in aquarium water over the two months or so. They are placed in a rear window but I believe are getting adequate sun. However, the plant is quite leggy being about 8 inches tall and only a few leaves. …
Graham Chiu
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What is this disease is this on my basil and mint?

I have a mint and a basil right next to each other. First the mint and then the basil developed a similar leaf disease. Any advice is appreciated.
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Letting basil loose. Will it die?

I let my basil grow from seed, and I very seldom trimmed it. My aim is to understand the plant life cycle, so I did it on purpose. The plants are so arranged: Three vases sitting in a larger, long vase which I keep constantly with 1cm of water with…
Stefano Borini
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Tulsi/ basil leaves turning yellow

I have a potted Tulsi plant got from a nursery a month back. The leaves were green then. After a pruning, the new leaves started getting yellow. There are two plants and both of them have the same problem. Any idea what is happening? Location is…
A Gardener
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What to do with a slender, tall Basil plant? (how to make it "bushy"?)

Am a complete gardening novice, any level of information welcomed! Have been trying to grow Basil - it is now very tall and skinny and woody - I think from initial neglect. See picture: Question: how to make it shorter, and bushier, and…
Mtl Dev
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