Why is my Basil Leaves Turning Yellow?

The Basil plant is a very easy-to-grow herb, but sometimes problems arise when basil leaves turn yellow. If you are facing the same scenario, let me tell you that you are not the only one. Yellowing basil leaves signaled various reasons, indicating the sign of a sick plant.

Too much water, too much direct sunlight, wrong pH soil, insufficient nutrients, improper fertilizer, and root rot are the common reasons behind the yellow leaves of basil plants. This guide explores all the basic reasons behind yellowing basil leaves, unveiling the culprits and equipping you with solutions to bring your basil back to its healthy green color. Let’s get started!

What Causes Basil Leaves to Turn Yellow

There are several reasons behind your basil turns yellow. Let’s take a look at all those causes that are creating problems for the basil plant:

• Excess watering
• Lack of nutrients
• Too compact potting mix
• Wrong soil Ph
• Root rot
• Plant diseases
• A dying plant

Why do basil leaves turn yellow?	symptoms	How to fix it?
Excess watering	Rotten root and yellow leaves	Stop watering the plant immediately and leave it until the soil completely dries out.
Lack of nutrients	Stunted growth and yellowing of leaves	Use a fertilizer rich in nutrients like potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
Too compact potting soil	Light brown colored soil and yellow leaves	Amend the soil with nitrogen and make the hollow pockets in the aerated soil.
Wrong soil pH	Yellowing and browning leaves	Immediately report the plant into another pot with suitable soil rich in nutrients.
Root rot	Wilting and yellow leaves	Cut the rotten roots and ensure no black or brown roots are left with a root ball.
Plant diseases	Black, yellow, or purple spots on leaves	Use fungicides to protect the plant from further damage
A dying plant	Falling petals, brown and yellow leaves	Remove all the yellow, brown, or leaves that will fall to let the plant grow new green leaves.

Now, we will explore the details of every cause:

1. Excess Watering

Excess watering results in rotten rot and transforming green basil going yellow.  Basil plants need regular watering for better and more efficient growth but over-watering suffocates the plant and its growth. Overwatering is the main reason the basil plant loses its nutrients when water passes through drainage holes. 

Nitrogen is necessary for green leaves, but if the plant loses nitrogen, the leaves will start turning yellow. Overwatering problems mostly occur when the pot you are using for the basil plant has a pot tray; excess water stays in that tray and then rotates the basil’s roots. The plant will stop absorbing nutrients which causes the leaves to turn yellow.

2. Lack Of Nutrients

Another main reason basil leaves turn yellow is the lack of nutrients. The basil plant needs a lot of nutrients for better growth, but if it does not get those nutrients, its leaves may turn yellow.

Potassium and nitrogen are the main nutrients that the basil plant needs. If there is a lack of potassium, the veins of basil leaves will start turning yellow, and the whole plant will die if you do not fix the problem quickly. If the plant lacks nitrogen, the leaves will also turn yellow, depending on the variety. The most important nutrients that basil plants need are nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. 

3. Too Compact Potting Soil

Compact soil is another reason for the basil plant’s yellow leaves. Too much tight soil suffocates the plant roots and stops their growth. When the roots become suffocated and do not get many nutrients and other essential materials, the leaves of the basil plant turn yellow, and then the whole plant dies. 

Most potting soils contain silt or clay, which do not dry out quickly. Due to the clay, backyards drain very slowly, the soil becomes hard and then becomes compact potting soil. When the soil does not get enough moisture for growth, this hydrophobic soil stops absorbing all the nutrients the plant needs. Too much nitrogen can also cause compact soil. 

4. Wrong Soil pH

Selecting the wrong potting soil with the wrong pH will badly affect the plant’s growth and its parts. Basils prefer slightly acidic soil having a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0. This range allows the plant to absorb essential nutrients from the soil.

On the other hand, if you choose too alkaline soil, that is also the wrong potting soil for the basil plant. This soil can lock the nutrients and does not let the plant get them. As a result, the basil leaves start wilting and turning yellow. The soil with a too-high or too-low value for the plant causes the basil leaves to turn yellow. 

5. Root Rot

Root rot is one of the most common reasons basil leaves turn yellow. If your basil plant has rotten roots, it will affect the whole plant’s growth, and its leaves will start turning yellow. The main reason behind root rot is overwatering, but other factors can also cause it, including poor root system functioning and soil drainage. 

Root rot can cause various issues or problems for your basil plant. You always have to check your plant roots to see if they have black or brown roots; if they do, remove them immediately to protect the plant. If the roots are rotten, they will stop absorbing the essential nutrients from the soil. Thus, the plant and leaves will not be able to get enough nutrients for better growth, so they will wilt and turn yellow. 

6. Plant Diseases

Many plant diseases cause problems for the basil plant and make its leaves turn yellow. Fusarium and fungal diseases are the main diseases that most plants face. If these diseases arise in your basil plants, they will eat all the nutrients from the soil and leave the plant yellow and wilted. 

Another common disease affecting basil plants is Downy mildew, which spreads quickly and makes the leaves gray, fuzzy, or brown. If you see any grayish or brown color on the basil leaves, it means the plant is suffering from a disease. If you do not immediately fix the issue, you will lose the whole plant in a few days.

7. A Dying Plant

Among various other causes, the dying plant is also a common reason for yellow leaves. If you see yellow leaves of the basil plant, but there is no problem in the whole plant or soil, then it means the plant is dying due to its age. Another symptom of this cause is the plant’s falling petals, looping posture, and wood-like stems.

Basil plants have a short life span compared to other plants. If you grow basil indoors, its maximum life before dying is six to nine months. You can fix the problem by making plant cuttings and changing the soil. There is no need to worry about this cause; it is not dangerous for the plant; it is only due to the basil plant’s age. 

How To Prevent Basil Leaves from Turning Yellow

Many solutions can help prevent your plant from turning yellow and dying. Let’s take a look at the ways to prevent the basil leaves from turning yellow:

Water the Plant Accordingly

Always remember the basil plant’s water requirements to ensure healthy growth and prevent diseases. Minimum watering is good for the basil plant because it likes slightly dry soil. If the plant is growing outdoors, water it every seven to ten days. If the plant is growing indoors, do not water it until you see dry soil about 1-2 inches deep. 

Dip your finger into the soil and check whether it is moist; this will help you determine how moist it is and how much water it needs. If you have overwatered the basil plant, stop watering it immediately and wait for the next watering until the soil completely dries out. 

Provide Proper Sunlight

Most gardeners place the basil plant indoors or in a shady area; that is their mistake. Basil plants love to stay in full sunlight, almost at a temperature of 80-90F. Ensure full sun exposure to the basil plant for 6-8 hours daily. If you have a place where the plant can get direct or most sunlight, it will benefit the basil plant.

Place the basil plants outdoors during the day and indoors at night. You can also use fluorescent bulbs to light the basil plants indoors for ten hours daily. Remember not to plant the basil plant during frosting. 

Amend the Soil pH

The wrong soil pH is one of the worst enemies of basil plants; it harms the whole plant, but the problem can be solved by amending the soil. If you amend the potting soil with organic materials, perfect pH level, moisture, and all other nutrients that basil needs, it will make the basil plant’s growth healthy and efficient. 

Organic mulch is best for amending your potting or garden soil to improve drainage and soil aeration. Planting the basil plant with tomatoes is one of the best ideas that most gardeners use.  It provides essential nutrients to the basil plant because tomato soil is rich in nutrients. 

Proper Fertilization

Boosting the soil with fertilizer gives the basil plant enough nutrients and benefits. Fertilize your basil plant after every 2-3 weeks with a good mix of organic fertilizer. Do not fertilize the indoor plants too often; fertilize them after every 4-6 weeks. During winters, basil’s growth slows or stops, so reduce or even stop fertilizing your basil plant altogether.

Make sure to pick the 10-10-10 organic fertilizer for the basil plant with an equal proportion of N, H, and K. Iron and magnesium boost your soil and plant’s growth and make its leaves fresh and green. Basil plants absorb iron from the soil, so make sure to fertilize the plant with iron-rich fertilizer.

Tips To Keep in Mind to Prevent Basil Leaves Turn Yellow

Basil plants need little care and attention; if you provide them, they will easily survive. Otherwise, the plant will not survive more than six months. Here are some instructions and tips that you can follow:

• Remember to water the garden basils once a week and the basil in pots after every three to four days. 
• During cold weather, do not water the basil plant too often; check the soil with your finger to see if it is moist or dry.
• From the top down, harvest some leaves and cut the half stem to ensure efficient growth. 
• Whenever you remove the basil plant leaves, always choose the leaves from the top. 
• Change the potting soil every one or two years for the adult basil plants to give them fresh nutrients and soil. 
• Always water the basil plant in the morning to let it dry in full sunlight before nightfall. 

Conclusion

The yellow leaves of the basil plant may indicate major problems with the plant. There are several causes behind the yellow leaves and stunted basil plant growth. In this article, we have elaborated on all the possible causes behind the yellow leaf basil. In addition, the solution to solve those problems and some tips are also provided for better plant growth. Follow the solutions mentioned in the article to protect your basil plant from turning yellow and dying. 

FAQs

1. Why are my basil leaves yellow?

If your basil leaves are yellow, there must be many reasons behind it. Maybe the plant did not get the proper conditions to thrive. Other problems include too much water, pests and diseases, improper fertilization, rotten roots, etc. 

2. Can You Make the Plant Leaves of Basil Turn Green Again?

When plant leaves lose their chlorophyll, they stop providing the necessary nutrients. As a result, they turn yellow and never return to their original green color. However, the early observation of these yellow leaves due to nutritional deficiency may save your plant with proper care.

3. How much sunlight did basil plants need? 

 Basil nourishes well under full sunlight, almost 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. This amount of sunlight is necessary for the best possible flavor and fast growth of your plant.