Basil enjoys moist soil. It needs about one inch of water per week to help its roots grow properly. Watering should therefore be done regularly to prevent the soil from drying out. Be careful though! Too much water can drown the plant and make basil leaves soft. To avoid soft basil leaves, here are some practical tips.
Why are basil leaves soft?
Soft basil leaves are often caused by a watering issue. Although this aromatic plant needs regular watering, it is important to water it correctly to avoid soft basil leaves.
Soft basil leaves: lack of water
Basil needs to be watered regularly from sowing to harvest. A lack of water can make its leaves soft.
A basil plant with soft leaves is not healthy. Its aroma and flavour will also be affected. Lack of water may lead to other problems such as brown spots around the edges of the leaves and slower growth.
Soft basil leaves: too much water
When watering basil, it is important to control the amount of water carefully. In fact, this aromatic herb does not need excessive watering.
Too much water can make basil leaves soft, slow down the plant’s growth, encourage brown spots on the leaves and drown the roots. Overwatering therefore leads to soft basil leaves.
Soft basil leaves: poor drainage
Soft basil leaves may also be caused by poor drainage. Water then accumulates around the roots and softens the plant.
When growing basil in pots, it is therefore recommended to make drainage holes at the bottom of the container.
How to fix soft basil leaves?
A basil plant with soft leaves can be saved. The right solution depends on the source of the problem: underwatering or overwatering.
Fixing soft basil leaves caused by lack of water
Fixing soft basil leaves is not difficult. After removing the soft leaves, simply water the plant correctly.
If the soil no longer absorbs water, it is recommended to:
- Soak the pot in a bucket of water until air bubbles stop rising
- Remove the pot from the bucket
- Allow the basil pot to drain properly
- Resume regular and proper watering
Fixing soft basil leaves caused by too much water
To fix soft basil leaves, follow these simple steps:
- Place the pot on newspaper for about one hour
- Put the pot back onto its saucer
- Allow the soil to dry before watering again
- Remove the soft basil leaves
- Reduce watering frequency
- Remove mulch around the basil if planted in the ground
- Improve drainage and aerate the soil using a gardening tool
- Water the basil correctly
Depending on the situation, it may also be necessary to prune the basil by cutting the stems just above the second set of leaves.
How to prevent soft basil leaves?
To avoid soft basil leaves, basil plants need the right growing conditions. It is therefore recommended to:
- Pay attention to watering: water regularly and moderately to keep the soil moist
- Place the plant in a sunny spot: basil needs around 6 hours of sunlight per day on average. It grows best in warm conditions (at least around 20°C)
- Maintain the basil properly: prune, pinch, thin out or repot the plant if necessary.
