What Do I Feed My Basil Plant?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Feed your basil plants with a

good organic fertilizer

every four to six weeks for indoor plants and every 2-3 weeks for outdoor. A well-balanced fertilizer with equal amounts of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphate, will help to boost leaf production.

What is a natural fertilizer for basil?

As a simple homemade fertilizer, you can re-use

coffee grounds, stale beer, tea (green or black tea) or mineral water

. Using fertilizers like coffee grounds for your basil also helps put food waste back to use and saves you money.

What is the best fertilizer for basil?


10-10-10 or 12-12-12 formulas

work well for fertilizing basil. Scatter the granules around the plant and water them in well. Try not to let the granules come in contact with the plant as this may cause it to burn.

Are coffee grounds good for basil plants?

Yes,

coffee ground fertilizer is safe for basil and other herbs

. Again, just use it sparingly. Herbs definitely benefit from the nitrogen boost that coffee grounds provide.

What is the best natural fertilizer for basil?


Compost

provides an excellent base for basil and is at the heart of organic gardening. If you’re planting seeds or transplanting grown plants, mix a generous portion of compost with your potting soil to enrich the area. You can also add some extra compost every time you fertilize with other ingredients.

Are eggshells good for basil plants?

Crops that attract snails such as basil, cabbage, lettuce, marigolds and strawberries will certainly benefit from a

sprinkle of eggshells

onto their soil. Plants that tend to like coffee grounds include hydrangeas, gardenias, azaleas, lilies, ferns, camellias and roses.

Can I use MIracle Grow on basil?

Feed basil plants regularly with MIracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Edibles Plant Nutrition

one month after planting

. You can start harvesting when your plant is 6-8 inches tall.

Is Epsom salt good for basil plants?

Feeding the basil plants:

Adding Epsom salts for herbs will bring out a lush green crop. Remember this when growing basil. Do NOT over-fertilize the plants. Basil plants

might grow well

but the flavor will be compromised.

Is coffee grounds good for herbs?

ANSWER: To put it bluntly, no—

coffee grounds are not good for herbs

, and they should be used with care around the plants that do benefit from them. … Because coffee has been used this way so long, you’ll see it recommended as a fertilizer, mulch, and composting ingredient all over the web.

Does Sweet basil like coffee grounds?


Coffee grounds do have a place in the growth of basil

. You just have to be careful when you use it. We know that basil likes soil that is neutral to slightly acidic. … It’s best to use compost that has coffee grounds in it rather than incorporate them directly into the soil.

How do I make my basil bushier?

  1. Cut basil stems with a pair of scissors about 1/4 inch above leaf sets or nodes. …
  2. Prune or harvest basil in the same manner at least once every two or three weeks to keep the plant bushy and to prevent it from flowering.
  3. Pinch off flower buds with your fingers if they appear.

What is the life expectancy of a basil plant?

The lifespan of a basil plant is

less than one year

in any climate that experiences frost. Annual garden herbs like basil die with the first frost, roots and all. It won’t perk back up in spring after the winter freeze. It won’t come sprouting back up from the roots.

Why do I have trouble growing basil?


Fusarium wilt

is caused by a fungus that can be carried by either the soil that affected basil plants have been growing in or by seeds from infected basil plants. There is no remedy for fusarium wilt. Destroy infected plants and don’t plant basil or other mint plants in that area for two to three years.

How often should basil be watered?

Basil plant watering—outdoors

If you’ve planted your basil in rich soil that consists of a fair amount of compost, then water roughly

twice per week during hot weather

and once a week when it’s a bit cooler. That’s because rich soil contains more moisture.

Does basil need full sun?

Basil thrives in

warm temperatures and full morning sun

. If you live in an area with scorching midday sun, try to give your basil light shade during the hottest time of day.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.