Hi, I have three beautiful basil plants in my yard. Lately they are turning yellowish. What does that mean and does it change the taste? I would like to know if it is bitter or will ruin my tomato sauce. Thank you, DN

Maybe your plants would like a dose of fertilizer. If the older leaves are yellowing first it could be a nitrogen or potassium deficiency; if the newer leaves are yellowing first it could be an iron shortage. The best way to find out if the leaves are bitter is to give them a taste.

Hi, I just read through your q and a and didn't see my question asked. Can you tell me how long basil lives? I have it growing in an aero garden so it should live as long as it possibly can. It's been growing since January and I still have to harvest it every other day. Also now that I'm thinking about it. Do you know of any food producing plants that live for years? Thank you! KL

Basil is an annual plant with a typical life cycle of one year but I have heard of plants lasting far longer than that in the right conditions. Most of our favorite herbs will last for years, like oregano, tarragon and rosemary. Other perennial vegetables are rhubarb, asparagus and artichokes.

This evening I picked a colander full of basil, trying to get what the bugs hadn’t touched. About an hour later, I began plucking and cutting (with scissors) good leaves off to wash. After washing the leaves and spinning them out in my salad spinner, I looked through the basil, and to my amazement, noticed purple splotches on almost every leaf. Either I’m going crazy, or those spots appeared after I washed and spun the basil! Can you tell me if this is possible? Thank you. MH

Basil is a tender herb and I'm afraid it sounds like you bruised yours up in the salad spinner.

Hi, Great basil Q&A website! Do you have others for other herbs? I grew some basil from seed, they've grown well in a small container with no drainage hole. I know there should be a hole, but the plants have been doing fine. There are about 5 plants, each about 6-8 inches tall, growing close together with some parsley next to it which is growing slowly. The basil leaves on the bottom have turned yellow, but that's only on the bottom. Why? Should I cut those off and transplant the plants to bigger containers with drainage holes? I'm afraid they're too close together. But I'm also afraid to break the roots if I try to dig them up and separate them. Advice? I live in Zone 7, I believe. Thanks!! TF

Check the Question Quick Find Page for other Q&A's by subject. As for the basil, the leaves may be turning yellow because the plants have "wet feet," a result of the lack of drainage. They sound like large plants that probably should be separated and repotted. Just use a gentle hand to pull the roots apart and make sure the new holes are wide enough to accommodate the root ball.

In 1910 my grandmother brought large leaf basil seed with her from Sicily when she came to the U.S. The seed was saved every year from the next Spring planting. After mom and dad have passed away it has been my job to continue the planting every year. I've been successful until this year. I planted over 300 seeds and 3 have germinated. I believe the problem was due to the lack of bees doing the pollination. I want to make sure to get good seed this year. How do you hand pollinate sweet basil? Thank you, PV

Talk about heirloom plants! If pollination had been the problem you wouldn't have gotten the seeds so it must be something else. Since you have done all of this before, I wonder what conditions might be different. Could be that the seeds were planted too deep or the temperature was too cool. They should be just barely covered with soil and needs at least 75 degrees or a little higher.

Hi. My basil plant has problems. Wherever I have pinched off anything, the stem has become split and unhealthy looking. Part of my problem is that I may be harvesting incorrectly. I was pinching off the top of the main stem. Am I supposed to be pinching off the stem of the individual leaves instead? I would really love to see a diagram or video to show where I should be cutting. But maybe it is a pest or fungus that is just attacking the plant at its weak spots. Thanks for any help. CB

Pinching from the main stem is fine and will help the plant become more bushy. You can also snip from the side leaves. The key is to use something sharp and take the clipping from just above a place where leaves are emerging on a stem.

Hi. I've been growing beautiful basil plants in a large indoor pot for the last couple of years. This year's plants are growing well but I recently noticed very small white bugs flying around the plant. They look like very tiny gnats. The basil plant leaves have what appears to be silvery brown spots all over....no holes in the leaves just silvery spots. Is there something I can do? Should I toss the plant or is it still ok to use? Thanks! MK

Do the research to decide if you have whiteflies. They are common on indoor plants. If indeed this is the problem you can try to catch them on yellow sticky traps or give the plant an application of insecticidal soap. If you use the spray, follow the directions for how long you wait to harvest.

Hello! I am new to gardening and am so excited to see the plants growing and my basil is doing well but on the two green basil plants I noticed little tiny black dots (I picked the leaves off and threw them out). Also some larger round grey spots which are about the size of a pin head. I was only watering once a week as we have been getting rain once a week so far...this climate is humid but not like Fl or Georgia. What are these spots? Can you recommend a Potassium based fertilizer? Love your web-site...thank you! VD

As usual, I can't really say what the problem might be without taking a look at it. I suggest you take a sample to your local master gardeners or a full-service nursery where they can better help you as well as make fertilizer recommendations.

Hi, I planted my basil one week ago in a raised bed garden. I just created the garden this year - put mostly organic compost for soil and used a 5-7-3 organic granular fertilizer (made by DR. Earth). The basil has lightened substantially in color- instead of the darker green, it looks more like lime green. And it is spindly and not producing many leaves. I thought I put plenty of fertilizer in the soil, but is this a sign that I need to fertilize more? Or is under/overwatering more likely the problem? Thanks! HA

Your basil may be experiencing transplant shock. The organic fertilizers are usually slow-release so I would give the plant a little more time to adjust. Make sure you water it thoroughly each time but let it dry out between applications.

Hi there. I just cut some basil which is growing outside in raised beds in our yard. There are white-ish beige dots all over the backs of the leaves. The plants otherwise seem healthy. What is this? Should we eat it or toss it? K

It's hard to say what this is without seeing it. Could be something as simple as salt or water residue or it could represent a fungal or bacterial problem. If all the leaves have this condition you will want to take a few leaves or a branch to a garden center or your local Master Gardeners for identification and help in treating. It is probably safe to eat but not particularly appetizing so I would toss them.

I have two basil plants in pots on my sidewalk, and in the past two weeks have been coming out in the morning to see many of the leaves half or almost completely eaten. I've tried sneaking up on the culprit at night and never find anything. I don't see any slug trails or bugs. What do I do? Help! I love my basil and want to save it, but there isn't really any other place to put them. AZ

Check the leaves to see if there are any tiny black pellets near the damage. This excrement will tell if you have caterpillars or maybe hornworms. It could also be that the slugs and/or snails are living in the soil and sneak out at night. If the pots are large enough you could set a beer trap: pour some beer into a bowl and sink it into the soil so that the lip of the bowl is level with the dirt. This attracts the pests and they drown themselves.

I live in Houston, Texas and have been trying to grow sweet basil from seeds on a west facing balcony. We are using fresh potting soil amended with composted cow manure. When planted in late March the seeds germinate in the normal amount of time and show healthy growth for about two weeks. After growing to about an inch and a half tall with two "baby" leaves, they just stop. We water each morning and they receive strong afternoon sun but grow no further. Eventually they die. What are we doing wrong? Thank you, SCC

This sounds like a fungal condition called "damping-off." The culprit is the soil. You could try several things: Use a sterile seed starting mixture to get the seedlings off to a good start, avoid keeping the soil too wet and/or try to increase the air circulation around the seedlings with a small fan. Make sure you are thinning the plants as they emerge also to allow for air circulation.

Hi - my husband and I recently planted a new herb garden outside in sunny part of our backyard (in CT). It has been about 2 weeks now. Today I noticed my sweet basil is getting slightly yellowish with a few brown spots on it. We water is with the hose every morning (a light sprinkle for about 3 minutes maybe). Is this underwatering? I see alot on your site about drainage but this is in a raised bed with brand new soil. I have not yet fed it anything...what do you recommend for that as well. Thanks for your help - A&C

I wonder if the temperatures are still dipping below 50 degrees (F) at night around there? Basil won't thrive until it is quite warm. It is better to water thoroughly and less often than briefly and everyday. This encourages shallow root growth. You could give the basil a light application of a liquid potassium-based fertilizer to get them going.

I am growing giant basil for the first time this year and the plants are huge, but they have leaf curl. Are they still edible? T. L.

Leaves that curl under, or even have an almost blistered appearance, are characteristic of some basils. You might want to try to find a picture of the exact type of basil you are growing to see if this is typical of the plant.

Hello, I've been reading the Q&A on your website but I haven't been able to find the answer to my question. I've had a couple basil plants in my window box (on the 4th floor of an apt building in Paris) for a few weeks now. I bring them inside at night because the nights are still a bit cold here, but recently I've noticed a bunch of tiny green insects lined up on some of the stems of the basil and they seem to have started eating one of the leaves. I haven't been able to find anything about them on web. Do you have any idea what I could do to get rid of them? Thank you! HN

Have you looked into aphids? Try searching on Google images to see if that's what they are are. If so, a strong stream of water is the best defense.

I think this may be a new question as I have read all the others. My basil has done very well, grown in a pot on the lanai here in central Florida since March. Lately I noticed that the undersides of the leaves have a powdery black substance on them and I have some yellowing but no real signs of insects. I have harvested the plant and frozen the leaves. I suspect that the plant is ready for the trash but what is the black stuff? Should I just throw away the plant and start over? SM

Sounds like your basil has a case of sooty mold. It is a fungal disease that is a result of the "honeydew" (excretion) from insects like aphids and scale. It doesn't really hurt the plant but if it is very thick, it could hamper photosynthesis. You can wipe off the mold with a damp cloth but do investigate for bugs as well.

I am trying to grown healthy basil plant in Florida. It is on our lanai facing east. I have never experienced problems with basil plants before but this year we are on our third plant. This is our 4th season growing basil in a pot in Florida so I am concerned. We have gotten all 3 from the farmers market. Great looking plants. They all flourished and then died quickly. The 1st had bugs and I tossed it and all soil out. I washed the pot and tried again. I may have over watered the 2nd and half of it died. I purchased another and only have been misting it with water, I did not repot but placed it in a larger container filled with new soil. It has been growing great but today I spotted small green bugs. I sprayed with water, a little dish detergent and cayenne pepper. After I found a small green worm on the stem. Help... Do you have an suggestions? I was told not to repot and not to overwater. I was also told not to put in the direct sun. What are your suggestions. Thanks. DM

I don't know about this leaving the plant in the original pot business, assuming it is a typical four-inch starter plant container. If it is going to grow into a healthy plant, those roots are going to need some room. Basil needs temperatures above 50 degrees (F), the hotter the better, although your afternoon sun may be quite intense. I can't identify the worms without seeing them but if you can, just pick them off and see if it helps. I know it's icky, get some gloves!

Firstly, thank you for taking the time to help people like me. I actually had a question about the edibility of basil varieties. I have two basil plants, One has the typical green leaves approx 1" by 2" and is roughly 2 ft high with white flowers on a stem measuring about 1/4" by 2.5 ". The other is very similar but has small leaves about 0.5" by 0.5". Someone told me that some varieties of basil are purely ornamental and shouldn't be used in cooking. Both plants have a strong smell of basil and have similar features. Can you please shed some light on my question? Many thanks, AG

I'm not aware of any variety of basil that is strictly ornamental. This season's seed catalogs are offering as many as twenty (or more) varieties some with large leaves and others quite small. I say, if they taste good, use them!

Hello, I found your website very informative. I have 3 pots of Basil wintering under a grow light. They were doing great and providing us with plenty of leaves for our winter cooking but just recently the leaves all turned brown and fell off. A few days later a powdery mildew appeared on my Rosemary, Sage and Thyme. I am spraying the R,S, and T with a diluted Lemon Juice solution. Is there anything I can do for the Basil plants? And am I doing the correct spray for the mildew? Thank You, Hi

Odd that your basil would kick the bucket like that so it's hard to say if the plants will recover. If you don't see any sign of new growth by now you probably won't. I haven't heard of treating powdery mildew (a condition that leaves a plant looking as if it is covered in white dust) with lemon juice. One reference suggests spraying infected plants with a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of water. Another suggests 1 tablespoon baking soda plus 2.5 tablespoons of lightweight horticultural oil in 1 gallon of water. I haven't tried either one so can't say for sure. You should also be aware that powdery mildew is often a result of poor air circulation that's sometimes caused by plant overcrowding.

Hi: I live in an apartment and have tried growing basil, with not much success. I love it so much, I like having it and other herbs in vases as they create a great fragrance – any tips on how to keep basil in a vase without it drooping? I saw one of your answers about keeping it in a vase with a plastic bag over the top, but was hoping to enjoy the fragrance and use it too. Cheers JW

A wonderful product has come onto the market in recent years. Bunches of basil with the roots still attached. Look for it in the produce department of your supermarket. Once you get it home you keep the root cube in a glass of water and it will stay lively for quite some time.

Dear Basil Expert, I have been growing Basil all summer long, with very healthy and hearty results. Now my basil plant has leaves that are shriveling up and turning black. What does this mean? Is it not getting enough sunlight now that it’s winter? (temperatures in Berlin now are in the 40s Fahrenheit, the sun never shines). Or maybe the terracotta pot where I transplanted doesn’t have enough holes and it’s not draining properly? I hope you can help! Thanks, KNR

Your black basil leaves indicate that the plant can't take your winter weather. Basil can't stand temperatures below about 50 degrees (F).

Hi, So I went away for Thanksgiving weekend, leaving my flourishing basil plant next to the window as per usual. However, my boyfriend made the mistake of closing the shade as he left the apartment, leaving my plant devoid of sunlight for 5 days! The leaves are not dried out (I had watered it the night before we left), but are very droopy. Anything I can do to speed the recovery of the plant? Thanks! H

Chances are good it will come around on its own. Just be careful that you don't overwater it in an attempt to help it revive. Allow it to dry out almost completely between waterings.

Hi. I have just discovered your website, which is great, and also that I am a budding, amateur, gardener. Basil! I have grown several sweet basil plants from seed and the same number of lemon basil. They are now covered in small green bugs and also what look like tiny threads of cotton. They live on my window sill next to a chilli plant and a bell pepper plant. Can you help me? the plants are starting to look wilted and the lower leaves are yellow. ps. how can lemon basil be used in cooking? Thanks DB (UK)

The cottony substance indicates the presence of mealy bugs but they are white and very difficult to see. The small green bugs may be feeding on the mealy bugs or they have moved in on a plant in distress. I suggest you isolate the affected plants and take a sample of the problem to a local nursery for help in identifying it. ps: lemon basil can be used just like regular basil in recipes where a citrus flavor would be an accent.

Great Q & A site! Here's one for you. I have a single basil plant growing in a pot on the window sill. Every morning I would notice a few droplets of water on the sill. I've even placed my hand over the droplets and felt small spritzes of water on my hand. This morning, I notices two long, skinny, brownish, grasshopper shaped bugs no larger than 1/4" long on the plant with small water droplets coming from their ends. I'm taking it that these critters are the source of the water. Amazing comparing the size of the insects and amount of water they put out. Otherwise, the plant looks fine. Any idea what kind of bug this is and is it harmful to the plant? Thanks, and have a great day. M

My first thought was spittlebugs but your description of the insect doesn't match. After doing some research, I'm not sure what your bug could be. Maybe you should talk to a local garden center to see if they know.

I have always had great success growing basil on my deck here in hot hot hot Georgia (it usually re-seeds itself each year!). We are in our third week of high 90’s and low 100’s. Prior to this heat, we had a very mild (high 70’s/low 80’s) and rainy summer. My basil does not like this. It is spindly and yellow green in many places, especially on the older stems. I am keeping it watered, but can’t get it back to the lovely shade of green that it should be. Any suggestions? BM

Yellowing older leaves and spindly growth can indicate a nitrogen and/or potassium deficiency. If you are watering properly, to the point where water drains from the bottom of the pot, then nutrients are washing away each time. You might try regular applications of an organic fertilizer.

Do bees eat basil?? I'm losing half my basil to some sort of bug. I can't see any of the usual suspects on or around the plants but I have seen a bunch of small black bees landing on the leaves. There were also two spiders in there (small; pale green). I've sprayed a soap/water solution (store bought) on the plants a few times this season but it didn't seem to help. I can't catch whatever it is in the act, but the leaves are definitely being eaten. Most are munched from the tips and/or edges but some others have holes chewed through the centers. Any guesses? Thanks, DM

I'm guessing that slugs and/or snails are sneaking into your garden after dark to nibble your tasty basil. Check my theory by sneaking up on them with flashlight.

Pinch, We love your basil column and tried the Ivory soap/water technique with much success! Also, our basil got very droopy at one point but watering them more perked them right up again. Now we have another problem. The stalks on our basil plants seem to be turning a reddish-brown, starting at the bottom and working their way up. What is it and is there anyway to save the plants? Also, is the basil still edible? We had a few with dark spots but just picked those off and threw them away. I had a similar issue of reddish brown stalk with our corn which was planted in an EarthBox container (one that is different from the container we used for the basil. We have about 5 basil plants about 3" apart each and the height is now about 12". We tend to water in the afternoon/early evening simply because we're not morning people. I don't know if any of the info above sparks an idea. We'd love your thoughts on the matter. I forgot to mention that we live in CT. Thank you! CC

This reddish-brown color may just be developing as the plant matures. It sounds like the plants are healthy otherwise so I would just continue to monitor them.

Hi I need help, I have looked and cannot find an answer to my basil problem. The plants where thriving and growing beautifully. then I noticed some of the leaves had tiny holes in them this was yesterday. Today some of the leaves have been eaten on the ends I noticed little black spots underneath some of the leaves. I do not know what that is or how to take care of them without using and insecticide that isn't poisonous so I can dry the leaves. CJT

It could be flea beetles but the little black spots don't agree with that theory. You might want to snip a branch and take it to a garden center or your local master gardener's office. Once you identify the pest you can decide if it needs to be treated.

I was pruning back my basil this weekend and noticed small brown nodes along the stems. Having read through your site, I think that my plants have scale. Are the leaves harvested from this plant safe to eat? I have removed the visible scale and used cotton with alcohol. Is there anything else I can do to preserve the plants for the remainder of the season? Also, I am growing the basil in a new pot in new soil on a balcony in Manhattan so I was surprised to find these bugs. I did not start from seeds, but from plants that were about 6 inches tall at when I bought them. Does this mean the plants were already infested? There were no noticeable signs until at least six weeks after they were planted. Is there any way to check young plants? Thank you! SLG

The plants may indeed have been infested when you purchased them. The nursery where they were "born" would be a good source or when they were massed together with lots of other plants in the truck that took them to the store or even while they sat on the shelf at the store. It's important to take a good look at any plant you are thinking of bringing home but it is difficult to see some problems. I usually spray new plants with a strong stream of water once I have brought them home in hopes of knocking off any stowaways.

Hello! First of all, I wondered if there was a 2nd growth of basil after flowering. I don't like the strong taste of the leaves after flowering. I still have lots of leaves on my plants but won't use them now. If I cut it back will there be new growth without the strong flavor? I live in Southern Ontario. Also, I have been freezing basil and it works wonderfully. I buy ice cube trays specifically for this purpose. I pour olive oil in the tray to about 1/4 depth. I chiffonade the leaves and put enough on top of the oil and push down until the leaves are just covered with oil (so the leaves don't get black). Put them in the freezer until the oil solidifies. Then add more oil to cover the top and freeze again. If you add the oil all at once, the leaves float to the top. That's why the second layer of oil after the first freeze. I find that when I'm using basil over the winter, I tend to be using olive oil as well, so it's all ready to go. Thank you!

Thanks for another method for freezing basil. As for your question, the flowers are a basil plant's signal that its life span is nearing the end. If you snip the flowers as they form you may be able to extend that life a bit. It's hard to say what would happen if you cut it back since each plant is different but it couldn't hurt to try.

Thai Basil: Any recipes?? I planted it, now it’s growing like mad and I’m not sure what to do with it! Thanks. JR

Get yourself a Thai cookbook from the library and you will find plenty of ways to use it. Otherwise you can use it like any other basil, maybe just use a bit less because it is quite potent. I especially like to use it homemade tomato soup.

Hi. We are growing Sweet Basil in pots on our patio. The soil is a mixture of soil we collected from our compost pile and potting soil. We have done this before with excellent results, however, this year our basil is not only bitter to the taste, but it has a terribly sharp and bitter after taste. What could cause this to happen? could it be the compost used? Thank you for your help. LG

More likely it is the plant. You don't say if you are growing it from seed or if you bought the starts. There are so many different varieties, perhaps the ones you are growing this year are not actually sweet basil. Alternatively, basil that has flowered is said to take on a bitter note so be sure to pinch any flowers that form.

Hi. I used too strong of soapy water on my basil plants (which are in pots) to protect it from critters. What should I do now that the leaves have turned brown. (I washed the plants with lots of water, then the soapy water went into the soil). TX

I'm thinking you might want to buy new plants. You could wait, however, to see if new growth begins. To help things along you could replace the soil in the pots, knocking off as much dirt from the roots as possible.

Hello, Help! I'm growing basil in a container. Genovese variety. I put 10 seeds spaced apart in an 8 inch dia. pot next to a northeast facing window. I water them faithfully. After initial success and the plants being 3 inches high, green and looking good I now find them wilting and slowly sinking groundward. Are there too many plants too close together? Disease? I didn't think they'd be hard to grow. Based on this limited info, what can you advise? Thanks.

Could be a situation called "damping off." This happens to seedlings for a variety of reasons but they nearly all go back to too much moisture. You might want to try again with sterilized soil and fewer seeds. Make sure the soil is well-saturated  when planting and then just use a mister to apply water to the soil until the plants are well established.

I read your site with interest - about problems with basil - the fusarium wilt - as a result of contaminated soil. We planted 8 heirloom tomato plants, oregano, sage, and 3 varieties of basil --- The lemon and "purple" ones are fine - but the genovese one is nearly completely dead. They were all put in larger pots, with the same soil, on the same day - any other causes for this "wilting" problem? Thanks.

As usual, it could be a number of reasons. Maybe the roots were damaged during the transplant, maybe there is some sort of root or stem rot, it's really hard to say.   hi, I have sweet basil, mint, and some Italian parsley that I am growing this year. I started each in a peat tray and then transported them to the garden once they started to sprout. My basil was doing really well but then all of the sudden I noticed that the plants were dying, or at least one thus far has gone and disappeared. The edges of the starter leaves are a yellow brown, like they have been singed yet the actual basil is starting to come about but it seems that they are dying. I keep them well watered, once a day, but the soil does get awful dry by the time I get to watering them and I haven't checked the garden for potassium levels but everything else in the garden is really doing well with the exception of the basil. Do you have any suggestions as to what the problem may be. Thanks.

I have two ideas. One is that the seedlings needed to be "hardened off." This involves exposing them to the elements for an increasing amount of time each day to help them adjust to the new environment. The other idea is that maybe your nighttime temperatures are still too low for the basil. They really like it warm so if your the thermometer is dipping into the fifties at night, it might be too early for them.

Hi, thanks for helping all of us Basil lovers! I am living in Thailand and trying to get large Sweet Genovese basil crop going as I love pesto! Started my plants from seeds then transplanted to large plastic pots. The plants initially did very well, healthy, large green leaves, good growth rates. Now some of the plants have slowed down their growth and all the leaves are rolling up (this included the new growth). The plant is not the bright vibrant green that it began as, more of a washed out green now. Plants receive 8 -10 hours of direct sun. Any suggestions greatly appreciated! Thank you

My first impulse is to suggest a nitrogen deficiency. A good indicator of this is if the older leaves are beginning to yellow and drop. The deficiency happens when plants have been around for awhile and watered properly to the point of water running from the drainage holes of the pot. Some of the nutrients go along with the water so occasional amending of the soil, side dressing it's called, is necessary.

Hello. My basil plant sits in a pot by a south easterly window where it gets the morning sun. It has grown very tall (15 inches / 40 c.m.) , and had very few leaves but now spring has arrived has lots of dark green ones. Despite been dark green, the leaves have a matt, bumpy texture . Many of them are concave or inside out, folded in zig zags or with curled edges. All the older leaves get crusty brown spots so I pick them off. Even some of the newly growing ones have brown spots. It's in the same pot of compost I bought it in last autumn at the supermarket. The compost is 7 c.m. deep and the pot is 12 c.m. in diameter. I've been fertilising it regularly over the last couple of months with baby bio (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, potassium). I put a few drops of it in with a cup full of water every day which I pour on the top of the soil. I've been keeping it moist. I can see white thread roots through the holes at the bottom of its' plastic pot. The plastic pot sits directly on a ceramic pot with a small hole in the middle. Do you have any ideas why the leaves have a strange wrinkly matt texture with crusty brown spots? Yours sincerely, TB

Yours could be a fungal or bacterial problem. It's hard to say without looking at the plant. You will get the best diagnosis by taking the plant to a local nursery or agricultural office.

Your site is VERY helpful :) I found an answer to 1 question but not the 2nd.. here goes... I have identified that my basil has scale :( But along w/ those little buggers, I've seen a clear sappy sticky water type thing on some of the leaves. The plant was grown from seeds, inside, on a window sill. I think I'm going to throw the plant out, because of the scale... but if I harvest what's left and some leaves have the sappy stuff on them are those ok to eat? Oh also when I wash the basil the sap comes off... Thank you for your time and knowledge :) AO

You're quite welcome. The "sap" is excrement from the scale, commonly called honeydew. Once washed, the leaves should be safe to eat but...

Hi. I have a small basil plant that is turning slightly yellow at the bottom. I have seen from your Basil Q&A that this indicates overwatering. My problem is that we are in the middle of summer in Australia and by the end of the day the plant looks very wilted until I give it some water. How do I balance the plants need for water and not overwater at the same time? Thanks J

Yellow leaves can sometimes indicate a lack of nutrients. Since you are having to water so frequently, you may be washing away those nutrients. You could try a regular dose of an all-purpose fertilizer during the growing season. Do make sure that you are watering properly, too. This means watering the plant until water runs through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Make sure the plant doesn't sit in this water; if it drains to a dish, remove and empty right way.

I'm a scholar and doing a project on the Basil. Right now, I haven't started, so I have to water it daily. The plant's leaves are wilting at the bottom and are really yellow. I know that's a sign of over-watering, thanks to your helpful website! It is beginning to grow black splotches everywhere. That's a sign of it being to cold. I pinched off many of the blackened leaves, wondering if it will improve the growth of my Basil. Will it? And this time of year in Southern California, it is dropping below 50 F. I am thinking of putting the plant indoors at night and take it back outside in the mornings and afternoons. Is that alright? Full of Questions, M.L.

That should be good for your plant until the temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees at night again. Just try to avoid any rough handling that might also bruise the leaves.

Hello. What a resourceful site for the non-expert gardeners!!! I have 3 basil plants in separate plastic terracotta pots. All three have internal drainage. Is this bad? Also, the stems of the plants have turned brown and are quite tough, almost like branches. What does this mean? Finally, I noticed that my basil leaves have small green dots along with lighter shades of green dots and some black dots. Are these leaves safe to eat? Thank you, J

I'm glad you are finding the site helpful. If your internal drainage is built into the pots for that reason it should be fine but if you mean that there really are no drainage holes at all, this is not a good thing. The browning and branch-like appearance of your stems is normal as the plant matures. As for the green dots, this may indicate cold and/or water damage. Basil doesn't like temperatures below 45-50 degrees F. and you should avoid wetting the leaves when watering. The dotted leaves are probably safe to eat but if other, more appetizing leaves are available, I think I would enjoy them more.

Hello. I read through your Q&A section but didn't get a clear answer for a problem. I live in MN and as it's getting cool here I just harvested all of my basil, but the leaves taste bitter. Some of them also have black spots on them. Are these problems related? Are they due to waiting too late in the season to harvest? I had nice sweet basil most of the summer. Or does the bitter taste happen if the plants are allowed to get small flowers on them? Thank you, JJ

Many folks swear that basil that has flowered becomes bitter but I think it depends more on the plant than the rule. The black spots may be a result of the basil getting too cool but it could be any number of other reasons as you have seen on the Q&A Page.

Great website. I have a basil plant that is being attacked by something! There are little black poppy-seed like things all over the leaves. I've noticed that there are also small flies in the soil who fly around the plant. My mint plant is suffering from the same menace. I've tried using a garlic-spray but that has failed. I want to eventually eat the plants. Do you have any suggestions? CM

The "poppy-seed things" are likely doo-doo from some sort of caterpillar. Check the plant carefully and hand pick any that you find to avoid spraying.

On your page All About Basil  you may want to add the fact that people in at least the San Carlos area of Mexico (and possibly elsewhere, too) consider basil to be good luck. Some tuck leaves behind their ears and others even keep a leaf in their wallets!

Thanks for the info! I'll have to slip a leaf into my own wallet.

I live in south Florida and have my basil plant in my front yard (southern exposure). Recently I have purchased no less than 6 different plants (one at a time) and I repotted each one in a larger pot. Within two days, the leaves have holes in them and the plant doesn't grow. I throw it away and try again. Any suggestions? thank you.

Holes in the leaves could be caused by any number of insects so it's hard to say for sure which one. Perhaps next time you should buy your plants from a new purveyor and also get some new soil.

As I went over the different methods of preserving the basil leaves plant I was looking for something better than what I do. Actually, I think I like what I do better. Wash the basil and spin in my salad spinner then lay out the leaves on a towel to dry. Then I take about 4 or 5 leaves and place them on top of each other and roll and place them in a snack bag in the freezer. When I need basil for sauce a couple of rolls get chiffonaded and we have been doing that for a few years. Hope you like this method. DN

Thanks for sharing your way of making basil last through the winter. I'm going to have to try it out.

I have beautiful basil this summer, both red and green. I notice that some of the green basil has a red center. Do these plants cross pollinate? And as an aside, there is a wonderfully beautiful green spider with black striped legs who has made the green basil its home. H&AW

I'm so glad that you aren't "scared" of your spider. Not enough people realize that spiders are good for the garden since they feed on the bad guys. It is possible for basil to cross pollinate. To avoid this, plants should be about 500 feet from each other.

Hello. Great site! I have 3 flourishing basil plants and wondered why some of the leaves taste /look slightly different from one plant. They are all the same variety, or at least appear to be. (sweet basil) but some of the leaves on my biggest plant have started to become thicker, firmer, shiner, darker greener and I noticed they are stronger in flavour. Do you know why? thanks. D

If they are all indeed the same variety, I would guess there are differences in the soil and/or amount of sun that each plant is receiving.

Hi, I have been growing basil indoors from cuttings of another basil plant. I put the cuttings in a glass of water for about 2 weeks and saw roots growing, so I planted them in some soil. They were doing great, but I am now noticing that the leaves are curling under, making the leaves look long and thin. There are no bugs or markings on the leaves and they taste perfectly fine. Some of the leaves on the lower end of the stems are slightly yellow. Am I overwatering? Or exposing it to too much sun? Thanks! DK

Your plant is displaying symptoms of two possible problems. The curling leaves may indicate the cucumber mosaic virus but this is usually accompanied by mottled leaves. There is no "cure" for this and infected plants should be destroyed. But, the yellowing of the lower, older, leaves indicates a nitrogen deficiency or overwatering. Give your plant a dose of fertilizer, water it a little less frequently and see if it will recover.

Hi! This is a very informational website! I was not able to find what I was looking for. I don't have a green thumb, but took my chances last month at growing sweet basil. I have two sweet basil plants that I keep indoors in my kitchen window. Recently my leaves have became spotted and under my leaves have a web like thing attached with dark brown dots.... the dots have came off when I rinsed them under water and rubbing them off with my finger. I have attached a couple of pictures; one of the top with the white spots and the other of under the leaf with the dark brown spots, unfortunately I can't seem to capture the web like film thingy under the leaf. Could you please tell me what's going on with my plant and how to cure this? Thanks,T.K.

For safety sake, I don't open photographs from unknown sources, nothing personal. You may have mealy bugs or spider mites, both common to indoor plants. The best way to start is to do what you have done, wash them off and continue to monitor the situation. If they return, you might swab them with rubbing alcohol for mealy bugs. Be aware, if it is spider mites they can spread rapidly and get onto other houseplants.

I recently purchased a basil plant and placed it in my yard. My mother decided that it needed a physic and put dish soap into the dirt. Did that harm the plant. Do I need to purchase a new one. Did she kill it? Thank you

I suppose time will tell if she killed it. Some people use soap solutions as an insecticide but it is important to use a pure soap. Common additives will harm the plants. I doubt that the soap will harm you when you eat the basil but if the plant dies, you will know the answer.

Hello. Great site with lots of info! Thanks. Anyway, my sister had a basil plant growing in her yard and it was doing fine until one day she looked at the stem and it looked like there were hundreds of thousands of tiny egg or bumpy things exploding out from the inside of the stem... like it was splitting the length of the stem open. I've never seen anything like it and was unable to tell if it was a fungus or a bug infestation. There was no other sign of any type of bug and just a couple leaves with a hole in them. Nothing major though. We are baffled. Any ideas what this might have been? She pulled the plant and threw it out immediately in case it was eggs. thanks for your help. TK

Wow, sounds like quite a spectacle. I wish I could have seen that! I have never heard of such a thing and I checked through my bug book but there was nothing that hatched in the way you describe. I'll keep looking to see if I can come up with an answer.

I bought a basil plant from a grocery store about two months ago, and now it's dying. During the first month, the plant was very productive and bushy, but after that, strange spots started appearing on the leaves. The spots are slightly shiny but basically colorless except for very small dark green spots within the larger spot. I started giving the plant fertilizer, thinking the problem was a potassium deficiency. Unfortunately, the plant did not get much better, and the spots have spread to my other basil plant that I bought less than a week ago. What am I doing wrong?

I'm thinking you've got a fungus but it is hard to say for sure. Can you take a few of the affected leaves to your local Master Gardener office or full-service nursery garden center? Seeing the problem in person will allow them to diagnose and then prescribe an effective treatment.

Hi, We are growing a large area of basil and have an abnormal wet season. Some of the stems from the roots up are going black and then affecting the leaves. I thought it may be a shortage of fertilizer but we have put the right amounts on. We live in Northern Australia Thanks ASK

Sounds like perhaps root or stem rot caused by your wet season or a lack of air circulation. I do wonder if your temperatures are dropping below around 10 degrees(C)? Basil hates cool weather.

What a great site! Helpful information, but here’s a stumper, at least for me. My basil has developed black/dark brown splotches that are various sizes, but generally ½ diameter. There is a cream colored spot in the middle of each splotch. There do not appear to be bugs on the plants, but here are little white spiders on some of the leaves. I cut back ½ of my plant last night and sprayed with an organic herb insecticide. I also removed the damaged leaves from the plant. This morning, there were more black splotches on the plant. What is it? I live in the west plains of Texas right now, and it’s been weeks since we’ve had rain. I water every evening after the sun goes away, and the temperature dips to about 80 degrees. KS

Although you give a good description of the problem, I can't find any diagnosis to match. One thing I do wonder about is doing all of your watering in the evening. Your dry Texas summer nights shouldn't really be a factor, but we Northern gardeners are always told to water in the morning so that plants have a chance to dry out before dark. Maybe you could try altering your schedule and see if that helps. Also, be sure you are watering the soil and root ball while taking care not to wet the leaves.

Thank you so much for your kindness in answering everyone’s questions, I have always grown indoor basil plants, I always use Miracle Grow potting soil. This is the first year that I had to put them outside because I couldn’t stand all the black bugs (like small fruit flies flying around the plants. How can I get rid of them so I can return the plants indoors? Thank you again for your generous time… M

Do a little surfing on the subject of "fungus gnats" to see if this is your problem. This should lead you to pictures and descriptions as well as a solution if this is your pest.

I read all the Q and A on Basil and didn't find my problem. I have basil planted in pot outdoors. The last few days, I have noticed the larger leaves have a strange squiggly pattern on them. It looks like a bug has done it. Do you know what this could be? Thanks for your help with this! E in Alabama

The answer to your problem, leafminers, has just be transferred from the homepage to Basil Q&A.

Hi, I read through the Q and A on your site but didn't find what I was looking for. My basil plant is on the porch and looking great except for this. I have been finding leaves which are either completely eaten or partially eaten. I tried shaking the plant to see if any insects could be found and an insect resembling some type of beetle fell over on its back. Even though I only found one I am assuming that there are others. What can I use, which is not an insecticide to repel these pests? Thanks.......CMP

What you found could be a good beetle who is eating the real enemies. Keep checking to see if you can find the culprit. Could be slugs or snails, caterpillars or worms. Look for a library book or website that offers information about specific leaf damage, like nibbled at the edges or holes within the leaf, and the pest that does that.

I have grown basil with great results in another climate but we are now living on the coast and my basil plant has many green worms eating most of the leaves. The plants have been in my garden for about 2 weeks and I noticed a large number of these worms. I suspect they hatched after I purchased the plant as I noticed them first on some cutting I brought inside my house but now the plants outside are being vigorously eaten. Is there a way to kill these and save my plants? Thanks, DM

Hi, I live on the second floor and planted basil from seed in a small pot. It grew well, but today as I was thinning I was startled to see worms crawling about! They are not earth worms, but small brown sluggish looking things. I am disgusted and baffled. How did worms get on my second floor porch and into my basil pot? DWC

I'm grouping these two questions because the answer is the same even though the bugs are different. It is important to figure out what the worm is before you can begin treatment. Green worms could be any number of pests but you might check first into armyworms. I've had trouble with those in my herb garden before. Consider surfing the internet for photos of plant pests or check into resources at your library.

Hi! First, I have grown basil from seeds for the past few months. So far so good but this morning, I found a few white streaks (some sort of little paths) on some of the leaves. After some inspection, it seems to be a small worm (2-3 mm) sucking the leaf meat from inside of it. I removed the affected leaves right away but I am still curious to know what it was as I was not able to find anything on this. If it makes any difference, I live in the Netherlands. Second, I received a lavender plant as a housewarming gift. It is now drying and dying. I read that it requires some rocky soil (like the Mediterranean) and that it loves the sun. But every time I put it in the sun, it gets worse. I've watered it but it doesn't do anything, now I'm afraid to overwater it. Can I prevent its death? Thanks a bunch for your help! SC

The basil likely has leafminers, unsightly but not deadly. See the question below about the purple basil plant for more information. You will find some tips for growing lavender near the bottom of the "Lavender List, 2006 Festivals and Fun" article.

Yes I have been growing an African (?) purple basil plant for some years now and it has always done very well. Recently I noticed brown tracks in the leaves which look as if it is worms eating it. However there are no holes, simply brown squiggly tracks on most of the leaves. Please help as I have had this plant for 6 some years and do not want to lose it. Thank you. AK

It is rather amazing that you have kept an annual alive for six years. If the squiggly tracks that you describe are rather continuous within the leaves then I would suggest you have a case of leafminers. The larvae tunnel through leaf tissue to feed. Eggs are laid in clusters on the underside of leaves. Although they don't do much more than cosmetic damage to larger plants, they are sort of yuckky for basil since it's the leaves we eat. Check for the eggs and pick off any leaves where they are present or that have been "mined."

Q: Hello, I work in a cafe and we have a problem with fruit flies attacking our pastries and bagels. This is in a display case that customers see and they swarm up when we remove anything.... Some days are worse than others..... however, we heard that a basil plant will keep them away or something like that? Is this true. We have a basil plant now on top of the display case... should we try something else? thanks AS

I hadn't heard of this basil remedy but I did find mention of it on a few website. You might try strewing the leaves around in your pastry case to see if that repels them better than the plant on top. Bottom line, however, is to eradicate the bug from the establishment. Looks like they really like to breed in sinks. I learned about that and more from this University of Kentucky website.

Hello: Last year we had a stupendous basil plant in our back yard that provided us with amazing basil throughout the fall. We bought a basil plant this year at the same nursery and it is in exactly the same spot in our backyard (southern exposure), but this year the leaves are developing alot of holes. We are very worried. We love our basil. What should we do. Is this a bug infestation. Can we save our beloved basil. Is it safe to eat. Please tell us what we should do. Thanking you in advance for your help. Sincerely, BLR

This is a good lesson on crop rotation. It is a good idea to move plants around each year to prevent pest and disease infestations from really taking hold. Do some research to figure out what is eating your basil so that you can decide what to do. It might not be too late to try to relocate your plant to a place where you didn't grow basil (or mint or lavender) last year. Incidentally, I was having a lot of trouble with somebody eating my basil until the weather started warming up, now it seems to have subsided.

Hello, I have a potted basil plant in my window sill. I has been growing well but just this week I noticed there is are tiny white things which are not bugs on top of some of the leaves and also a sticky substance. They look like long flakes of dandruff. Any ideas? JS

Have you ever seen mealy bugs? They are often described as cottony but your description might suit them as well. They are also common to indoor plants. Do a Google search, maybe of photos to compare your problem. If it is mealy bugs, I have had luck with getting rid of them by brushing the plant with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Hi, I just bought a sweet basil plant from a grocery store. The plant looks pretty healthy, but as I was cutting some pieces for cooking I noticed that the stems are black internally. This problem only occurs where the leaves attach to the stems. Should I be concerned? Is it still ok to eat? Thanks K (in california)

Something is certainly wrong there as a healthy plant should be green throughout. Check on the newest growth (near the top) and see if it is also black. If the problem is consistent, you might want to replace the plant as there is probably some sort of rot occurring that will only get worse. I think it is probably okay to eat the leaves by just pinching off the stems. Bottom line, if it looks icky, don't eat it!

Hi, I have a huge pot full of basil. I've noticed (actually you can't help but notice) that the leaves are turning white. They look as if they have been bleached. I've grown up around a summer garden of herbs and plants all my life and I've never seen this. thanks, CC brooklyn :)

This does sound unusual, as you say. Could be powdery mildew or maybe some sort of salt build up. You will get a more accurate diagnosis by taking a few of the affected leaves into your local full-service nursery or Master Gardener's office.

I have spicy basil growing in my kitchen window. We have southern light exposure, but not all day. I have notices some of the edges are darkening and wilting, but the major problem seems to be "see through" spots on a lot of the leaves. No holes - just not green. Please help!TWC

I wonder how you are watering your plant? The transparency could indicate water damage and the darkening and wilting could indicate either over or underwatering and even poor drainage. Make sure your plant is in a pot with a drainage hole, allow the top couple of inches of soil to dry out between waterings and then water at the base (not over the leaves) until water runs from the drainage hole. Never let the plant sit in water as sometimes happens when a plant has a saucer under the pot.

Is it okay to water Basil plants anytime of the day? I have been told that if I water them when the sun is out they will burn. J-JN

Sunburn in plants usually occurs when they are suddenly exposed to more sun than usual or they are experiencing a drought. It is always a good practice to water plants in the morning rather than the evening since moist conditions are preferred by most night creeping pests.

I've got 4 basil plants in two different areas and it seems as if it doesn't want to take off. The leaves are slowly turning yellow and the plants are not growing at all- can you tell me what I'm doing wrong?

Depending on where you are gardening, it is still a little early for heat-loving basil. Yellowing leaves are often a sign of overwatering so make sure that you let it dry out between drinks and give it a little more time.

I have a basil plant that is growing tall and spindly. It tastes fine but there are small holes in the leaves (which we don't eat) but when I shake the plant there are flying bugs that come out. They look very similar to lady bugs but are long and slender and a gold color as opposed to the deep orange or red of lady bugs. Also, lady bugs are more round. I read all the questions and answers and have not seen this problem addressed. B

Your basil is probably tall and spindly because it is not getting enough light or you need to pinch it back more often. Be sure to pinch back to a leaf pair when you harvest rather than just pulling off leaves. The bugs may be good or bad guys so it is important to identify them. See if you can capture one or two and take them to a good garden center or your local Master Gardeners' office to find out what they are.

HI, I have someone or something eating my basil.. I made a homemade dish soap and water spray and it turned the leave I tried it on black...why? What organic spray can I use to help my basil plants not get eaten? Thank you M

The soap you used may have contained chemicals that you weren't aware of or the mixture was too strong. It's best to use a pure soap and start with just a teaspoon to one gallon of water. The real problem, however, is that it is important to identify just what is eating your basil before beginning any treatment. Only then will you be able to determine the best method for managing the problem. Check the "Basil Q&A Page" for descriptions of problems that other readers have experienced in the past.

I have 6 potted basil plants outdoors sitting on either the patio or ground. They all have developed brown spots on many leaves with additional places that look like they have been eaten by a bug or worm. The last 10 days have been more rain then sun. I sprayed a bug spray on them 4-5 days ago and it doe not seemed to have helped. Help ????? SD

You don't say where you are gardening but it could be that you have put the basil out too early. Temperatures under 50 degrees (F) will create the brown spots although it more often turns black. Stressed plants are more likely to attract bugs. It is important to identify a pest before you spray anything because each problem has a different solution.

I heard that there is a non flowering type of basil plant. Where can I get it? I get tired of snipping off the flower heads each week. My basil leaves are so small. How can I get bigger leaves? JO

I am not aware of any basils that don't flower but I'll keep my eyes and ears open--that's interesting. As for the size of your leaves, you probably have a globe-type basil. For larger leaves, look for a Genovese-type or Mammoth variety. I found it!  Non-flowering basil varieties include: Ocimum xcitriodorum 'Lesbos,' also known as Ocimum xcitriodorum 'Aussie Sweetie' and Ocimum xcitriodorum 'Greek Column'

I found some black spots on my basil, I think is was some kind of disease, but after a closer look, and splitting the leaves at the spots I found something pretty interesting, I found small worms living between the layers of the leaves were the spots are. At first I thought they may be small caterpillars, but looking closer I realized there were actually worms (they range from very small to about up to 5mm long, mostly depending on the size of the leaves), they look like small fly worms, do you know what they are, and how to get rid of them...by the way, I live on the Caribbean (Puerto Rico). Thanks JM

I am thinking that you actually have two problems. The black spots were likely caused by a bacterial infection and then the worms moved in to feed on the damage. Unless the damage involves a large number of the leaves, I suggest you remove and destroy the affected leaves and see if either problem comes back.

Hello: Just found your wonderful site while looking for info on my ongoing problem growing basil in our greenhouse. It’s been suggested that the sudden wilting of all the leaves on the plants might be due to fusarium wilt, which seems to be fairly common in our area. Can you tell me how to identify the problem for sure, and treatment? The plants are healthy and bright when they go into the soil, and grow for a short time, then wilt and stop growing. So sad! Thanks for any help you can offer. JN

You can verify fusarium wilt by looking at the roots of the wilted plants. See if they are discolored rather than the nice healthy white. The problem with this fungal disease resides in the soil and there is no cure. The only thing you can do is avoid planting members of that family, in this case it is Lamiaceae (formerly Labiatae) or mint, in that soil for 3 or 4 years. In the future be sure that your basil seeds are certified to be Fusarium-free.

I have found your site very helpful. My indoor basil plant has hard, woody stems at the base of the plant and normal looking, green stems at the top. Sometimes new green stems grow out of the old woody looking stems. Is this normal? JB

As long as your plant continues to be productive, I don't think this older part of the plant is anything to worry about.

Hi I'm growing sweet basil for the first time and they are doing well. I would like to harvest my basil to make pesto so I would like a lot of it, but I'm too scared to do it! Please could you let me know when and how to harvest the basil without killing the plants? I've looked on your website but I can't find the answer! Thank you. ES

You want to snip the basil stems at a point just above a leaf pair never taking more than half the plant at a time.

I grew my basil from seed using one of those indoor herb kits. It came with a little dried pellet of peat moss soil that poofs up when soaked in water. I have my basil in a very sunny window and water it just a little every day. The plants have two or three leave sets and they seem healthy... but there's a ring of white mold on the surface of the soil around the edge of the pot. Will the mold hurt the basil? Am I watering too often? Thanks! EP

First, make sure that the mold is really mold and not a salt crust that sometimes forms from watering frequently. If you can, gently remove the healthy plants from the pots and transplant them into a good quality potting soil. Hopefully, this will solve the problem but if it is a sign of one of the fatal fungal diseases, you'll know soon enough--the plants will die and there isn't a way to prevent it.

I recently repotted my basil plant that I grow indoors. Now it looks like its dying at the bottom but still growing new green leaves on top. The large stems look brown and dead and the leaves in the middle are yellowing. I founds some small, fuzzy insects stuck on the stems that leave a cotton-like residue, and scraped them off. Any thoughts as to what's going on?

I would say you have mealy bugs, a common indoor plant pest, from your description of a cottony residue. I've had success getting rid of these by rubbing the plant with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. You might also browse through the "Basil Q&A Page" for other discussions about basil problems.

Hello, I have a basil plant that has been growing well all year. In the past week or so, I have noticed these small brown oval bumps on the stem. Upon looking closer I realized that they seem to be some sort of bug and that they are now also on the bottoms of the leaves. Is my plant going to die? Do you know what they are? How can I get rid of them? I'd really appreciate any help you could offer. Thank you so much!! ~ L

Sounds like scale to me. First off, move the basil plant away from all your other plants, if possible, scale is communicable. Next, pinch off and destroy all the affected leaves then use your fingernail to scrape off the bumps on the stem. Follow this hand treatment with a spray of insecticidal soap according to the package directions. Keep in mind, scale is hard to eliminate, you may very well need to replace the plant.

Hello, Great website you have. I started growing my basil plant from seeds earlier this year. I began growing it indoors since it was too cold and then brought it outside for the summer. In September or so I brought it back in. It was looking alright until mid October and then I started noticing these brownish patches on the leaves. The brown spots also seem to dry out the leaves and they curl in. The plant itself looks wilted and unhealthy. I trimmed it down and started pinching off those leaves but it just hasn't gotten any better. In fact it just looks worse. In areas where new leaves are starting to grow the brown spots have just covered it and keeps it from growing. There are also lots of little black bugs that look like gnats but I'm not sure if they are harming it. I've been pretty good with keeping the plant watered and have been using Miracle Gro once a week. I'm also afraid of using the leaves in my cooking since I don't know what those spots are. Attached are pictures of the plant so that you can have a better idea of what I am talking about. Hope you can help. Thanks, A in NJ

I didn't download your photograph (no offense but you know we have to be safe these days). Sounds like a bacteria invasion, perhaps due to the warm, moist indoor environment. You might be able to save it with a copper-based treatment (ask at your local garden center for recommendations). If your basil has begun to flower, however, you should be aware that it has just about completed its life cycle. Basil is an annual. Might be time to plant more seeds.

I have basil growing in a pot on my patio. Many of the leaves appear to have been eaten, either around the edges or holes in the middle. Some leaves have circles reduced to lace, but not entirely eaten through. I brought the pot inside last week to trim it back, and left it inside for a few days to see what happened. There is more evidence of something eating it since it's been inside, so I'm assuming it is either some small bugs or something living in the soil. Earlier this year I found a fat green worm on another basil plant which is in a different pot on the patio. Could this be evidence of the same thing? I haven't seen anything crawling on this plant. What might be eating it, and what can I do? Thanks- E

Chances are good that you have a slug and/or snail problem. These tricky pests only seem to come out at night or on rainy days so they are hard to catch. They aren't as common to plants in pots but they will climb right up the sides. Try sinking a small saucer of beer into the soil next to the stem overnight. Slugs are attracted to the scent then fall in and drown. In the morning you will be able to see if that might be the culprit.

My sister gives me fresh basil from her garden in Massachusetts every summer. This year the basil plants had flowers on them. I hung the plants upside down to dry as I had always done. While drying, there was an unbelievable amount of little black bugs that looked like fruit flies on the plants. And they would fly away when I touched the drying plants. This is a first for me. Are fruit flies attracted to basil flowers or could it be some other kind of insect?. Can I use the dried basil? PQ

Fruit flies are attracted to rotting material so you might want to check your basil for bad spots. The completely dried and crumbled basil should be alright to use just be sure to check and make sure there are so remaining bugs on the leaves or in the flowers before storage.

Help. Is it ok to eat basil with black spots? Thinking that it was caused by much fall rain I have eaten some. it is bitter and does not seem to be basil. If this is a disease what to do and what to do with contaminated soil. I had two years of perfect and the past two years have been less successful. It does not smell like basil and some of it has black spots. Really appreciate you assistance. SG

I doubt that small amounts of the blackened basil would hurt you but, as you have realized, if it doesn't taste good, why eat it? Your basil may be finished for the season and the black spots are due to low temperatures. The spots could also be caused by fungus which can be eliminated with a seaweed spray or sulfur dust after infected leaves are removed and destroyed. If you have been growing the basil in the same place the last few years, this could also be a problem. Try planting it in a different location next year.

Hello - I bought a basil plant that was doing quite well until it started getting tiny black spots clustered on all the leaves. The affected leaves did not grow out to the normal large flat leaves, but remained curled and bumpy looking. Then I noticed a handful of small thin long brown bugs ( about 1mm long or less) and a large number of small white bugs (immature?). I was wondering if you know what these bugs are and if the black spots are areas they have eaten, or if they are eggs? Thank you!

Sounds like you have a serious infestation of aphids. They feed on tender new growth and emit a "honeydew" that turns into sooty mold and also attracts other insects. Sometimes you can get rid of them with a strong jet of water spray but you might need to apply an insecticidal soap or even neem spray.

Hello, We have two large basil plants on our porch, one Italian large leaf basil plant and one Genovese basil plant (right next to each other). A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that the stems of both plants have raised brownish-black spots all over them. At first glance, it looks as if small bugs are attached up and down the stems. However, when I remove the spots, the material is tough to pry off at first and then sort of breaks apart. Depending on how long the spot has been there, it either crumbles in my fingers (dry) or breaks apart a bit with a small indication of moisture inside the spot. I've also recently noticed that there are "new" spots on the stem that are smaller and light greenish-yellow, as if they are growing from the stem. They have also started moving towards the leaves. The plants are otherwise very healthy looking (and tasting), except that the main bottom part of the stem is turning brown. Wasps (bees) have also recently become very attracted to the basil. Help! Thanks very much for any insight you can provide. I'd really appreciate it! Best, JC

I suspect your plants have scale although this is a rather odd pest on basil. Parasitic wasps are one of the best defenses but scale, armored or soft, is difficult to terminate. It can be accomplished by scrubbing the infected areas. Since it is so late in the season, you might do well just to harvest the leaves that aren't affected and dispose of the plants before sooty mold sets in or your other perennial plants are infected as well.

Hello, My basil plants have done beautifully this year and I am wondering if I can transplant one and move it indoors for the winter and what would be the best way to accomplish this. I live in the Pacific Northwest and we have minimal sunlight during the winter. Any insight you can give me would be greatly appreciated. BB

Since basil is an annual, you can't expect your plant to last much longer than a season but since the season is so short where you live, you might be able to keep it alive in the house for longer than it would stay alive outside. You will have the best luck if you bring it inside before the temperatures start dipping much below 45 degrees (F) at night and put it in the sunniest window you can find.

Hello, I am growing basil indoors and it is growing very well except for these tiny black bugs that are eating up the leaves (please see attached pictures). They leave light brown spots on the leaves, often killing it. What can I do to get rid of them? Thank you! R

You have stumped me and my new bug book. Seems odd that you would have problems with pests on an indoor plant to begin with but obviously you do. Perhaps you could take your photographs and one of the spotted leaves to your local nursery and see if they can help identify the pest and the treatment.

Hi! I was cleaning my basil leaves and noticed these Small Black things on my basil leaves. They are hard & look like a cross between a poppy seed and a toasted sesame seed Any idea on what they may be? Thanks, F

I'm thinking caterpillar turds. I had a big problem with hornworms at one time and these small black specks were how I came to know they were around. I would think you would have a problem with them eating the leaves, however, so maybe it is seeds that are being broadcast from a nearby plant.

I bought 4 basil plants a few weeks ago. Three of them looked great and had many leaves. I cut each of them down as they were a bit high. I replanted them like I was told and watered them well. But not even a week went by and they started wilting. So my husband decided to "water" them, really water them again. One died, the others didn't. But now it is three weeks later and one died completed, no more leaves and one with a few leaves on are totally wilted. I tried a little bit of water, not much, it did not perk up. Why would they wilt? Not enough water or too much water.

Basil is highly susceptible to a disease called "Fusarium wilt." It is caused by forms of fungi in the soil and has no cure. Plants wilt and die quickly and the roots will be discolored. Infected plants should be uprooted and destroyed and you should avoid planting the same type of plant in that soil for at least three years.

I am growing two pots of sweet basil and one pot of lemon basil outside. This year, as well as last, the sweet basil has grown very tall and slender, not bushy at all. Also the plants are all turning yellow, as are the pepper plants I am growing in pots in the same place. What do you think is causing this? I am in Salt Lake City. Thanks. K

It sounds like your basil isn't getting enough light. Make sure it is getting at least six hours of sunshine and don't forget to pinch the leaves back often. This is what really encouraging bushiness. The yellowing could be from overwatering or a lack of fertilizer.

I have lots of basil growing, many leaves have black spots. I have read on some forums that this may be mold. How do I eliminate the mold? Is the whole plant diseased? Are the leaves dangerous if eaten? Regards, DMS

The black patches could be a type of the disease Leaf Spot, often caused by overhead watering or other moist conditions. The affected leaves should be removed. It could also be cause by fungus, as you suggest. A tell-tale sign of fungi is that the spots look more like spores. On basil, this is often Botrytis and usually proves fatal to the plant. Less ominous and easier to treat is a potassium deficiency. For this, just use a potassium-based liquid fertilizer on a regular basis.

Hello there: I wasn't able to keep up with my gardening this year. The basil flowered, so I cut all of the plants back, hoping to encourage new growth. I have two large bags of the trimmed basil in the refrigerator, but the leaves have a bitter taste. Should I just compost this, or will cooking bring out a sweeter taste? Thank you.

Hard to say for sure but to test your theory you could saute a bit of it in a mild oil and then scramble an egg into it. Taste it and see what you think.

I have a big pot of basil plants. I used Miracle Grow potting soil. The leaves have brown spots on the tip and it dries up and curls the leaves. Can you please help me? Thanx, VB

Most of the problems with disease in basil shows up as patches on the leaves rather than at the tips as you describe. I wonder if maybe these are just older leaves that are giving way to the new growth or perhaps you need to water more frequently? Pots tend to dry out quickly especially when filled with many plants. Make sure they have good air circulation as well. You could also take a leaf or two to your garden center and see if they can help you identify the problem--it's hard to tell without a visual inspection.

What is the best method for drying fresh basil leaves? Thanks.

You will find lots of information about preserving basil in the new article "A Bounty of Basil: How to Preserve the Harvest."

I have grown basil (Genovese & Sweet) on and off for years. Last season and this summer I have been getting more and more leaves, usually in the early months of growth that begin to brown slightly at the end of the leaf. This progresses quickly to dark brown and almost black in color and works its way from the tip of the leaf all the way back to the stem. Once the leaf is brown/black it is very dry and easily disintegrates when touched. It almost appears as if something has burnt it or dried it out. It affects some leaves but not all. I live in Colorado (very dry and very sunny). I water the plants every day or 2 and they are in planters outside. One that gets morning to late afternoon sun and the other gets direct sun from noon to dusk. The plants appear healthy except for this problem. Too much sun ? Can you suggest the cause? BK

I suspect it is too much intense sunshine. You might try moving them to a place where they get a good dose of morning sun and are a bit more shaded in the heat of the afternoon. Do keep in mind that basil doesn't tolerate temperatures much below 50 degrees (F), perhaps basil is being subjected to nights that are a bit too cold.

Love the site....I'm growing basil on my rooftop in terra cotta containers. I've been cutting from it all summer and have recently noticed little random white spots, on an otherwise, extremely healthy looking plant. Is this something to be concerned about? Is okay to eat? Or is my basil showing signs of bacteria or disease?

Without actually seeing the plant, I would guess the white spots are left from water drying on the leaves. If the basil plant is healthy and the spots don't move (like a bug!) it should be okay.

Hi, I purchased a pot of Genovese basil which did fabulously for a couple weeks. Then the top leaves began to curl so I replanted it thinking that the three basil plants in the pot needed more space. So far, the leaves in the upper portion of the plant is still curling. What can I do? Thanks, AYL

Looking at the photos of Genovese basil in a seed catalog showed that the leaves are rather curly or puckered looking. Take a look at this basil entry from the Johnny's Seed catalog. Unless your plant is wilting or unhealthy looking, it is probably just growing as it should.

Hello, I recently have planted some basil plants in my garden only to find holes and some leaves eaten. I believe the bugs are from the air. They look like gnats or stinging flies, what would you recommend to use to keep these off.....each day is a bit more and when I shake the plant there are quite a few little gnats (?) in there....I do not wish to use harmful chemicals at this point so I eagerly await your response.........thank you very much, JS

Maybe you have flea beetles. I found this article about them from Colorado State University. If this does not diagnose your pest, perhaps you could clip a leaf and take it to your local garden center for additional information.

I grow my basil from seed, the plants have never been outside and today I found tiny worms (they move like inch worms) dangling from the leaves by a thread. I also noticed holes in some of the leaves. I picked off all the worms I could find but I'd really like to know what the worms are called and how to avoid them in the future. Thanks, D from Nova Scotia Canada.

You wouldn't expect bugs on indoor plants but they may have arrived in the soil. Your worms are probably caterpillars which can be good or bad. The caterpillars that enjoy our parsley and dill will eventually turn into lovely swallowtail butterflies. Basil is not usually affected. The best way to identify your particular pest is to find a bug book at the library or check with your local agricultural office.

Hi. I bought a basil plant and after about two weeks (I still hadn't planted it) the leaves turned light yellow-light green. What could this be caused from? Thanks KB

Yellowing leaves are often a sign of overwatering or your plant may not be getting enough light indoors. Make sure the container has adequate drainage and the plant is getting at least six hours of sun each day.

Hi I am in North Carolina and have basil plants whose leaves are turning brown and looking as if they are getting blistered a bit. Is it a bug or a disease and what can I do about it, help!! What do I do, I use them in cooking all of the time. TB I don't know if it is a pest problem, but something is making my basil leaves curly and deformed looking. The affected leaves are no longer flat, but "bubble up" and appear curly. I live in hot southern California desert. Can you help? NF

These questions are so similar, I'll answer them together. I've never seen or heard of this problem but maybe your plant is getting too much harsh sun. You could try relocating it to a place where it would get the more mild morning sun or a dappled sun exposure all day. Another thing to consider, NF, is that you may have a variety of basil with naturally curly leaves. There are many types of basil out there, not all of them are flat leafed.

Hello, I just love your site. I have a large patch of basil in my garden and it is growing strong but now the basil is starting to taste bitter if we deflower the plants will the bitter taste go away? BC

Honestly, I'm not sure. It probably would help to remove the flowers so that the plant can focus its energy more on the foliage. This will extend your growing season a bit as well.

Hello, I purchased basil two months ago and have been keeping it on my balcony in pots every since. The basil has been growing very good and has been providing many leaves for us to enjoy. Unfortunately this morning I noticed one of the plants is wilted. All the leaves are still green but some of them have fallen off. At the base of the soil the stem is brown and hard, there is also what appears to be a mold growing on it. Also there are what appears to be small white circles with black/brown bumps in the center. What is this, and if possible, how should I save my basil? Also what should I do to save my other two basils planted with it? They are in well drained soil and receive plenty of sunlight. There is also plenty of room for the soil to breath as my soil is damp and not wet. Sincerely, GS

My goodness, what alot of problems for one little plant to bear! You may have the dreaded fusarium wilt, a fungus that is spread through contaminated soil. This would not bode well for the others planted alongside it. It could also be root rot sometimes caused by high humidity or poor air circulation. I think I would just get rid of the plant in question and repot the other two in fresh soil.

Two days ago I starting hardening my indoor-growing basil by letting it sit outside most of the day. A lot of it has developed large, silver spots. What can I do to solve this problem? KL

The same thing happened when I put my new Thai basil plant outside. I think it is a sunburn. My plant seems to be recovering slowly and new growth is appearing healthy. When "hardening-off" new plants, they should be kept in the shade for the first couple of days and then introduced to small amounts of sunlight each day.

I have just planted my herb garden for the year. Something is already eating my basil. What should I do to stop this insect without harming my plants? SS

Herbs usually aren't bothered by pests but I have had trouble with slugs in my basil in the past. You can look for them during the night, early, early in the morning or on rainy days. Just pick them off, it's icky, I know! You can also set a trap for them by burying a bowl of beer so that it is level with the ground near your plants. They fall in and can't get out. </