How often should I water potted basil?
During the warmer months, it’s recommended to water basil every three days to avoid the soil drying out too much. However, if your pot is in a slightly shadier spot, you may find watering every four days adequate. Most store-bought basil plants come in black plastic pots.
How do you take care of Thai basil?
Although regular watering is essential, once established, Thai basil is easy to grow. Harvest regularly and remove flower spikes to delay your basil running to seed. Thai basil prefers a moist soil, so enrich with compost and manure, water regularly, and mulch to reduce water loss through evaporation.
Does Thai basil need direct sunlight?
Like other basils, Thai basil is a heat-loving plant and is especially susceptible to frost damage. … Thai basil prefers soil that is lightly moist, slightly acidic, well-drained and rich in organic matter, such as compost. It thrives in full sun but will tolerate part shade.
How much sun and water does basil need?
The most common is sweet basil, but there are other varieties to try and they all need the same growing conditions: warm temperatures, at least six hours of full sun daily, and a well-draining moist soil.
Should I cut flowers off Thai basil?
Check your basil plants frequently for flowers, and if you see any, pinch them off right away. If the flower stems are too woody to pinch (often the case with Thai basil), cut them off with shears. A plant allowed to flower will soon go to seed, stop growing, and die, so be vigilant about removing flowers.
Does Thai basil come back every year?
Also known as common or sweet basil, basil (U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 11 for outdoor gardens) is a true annual, which means it needs to be replanted each season. In most circumstances, it does not grow back after a year. … Basil plants are sensitive to cold weather and frost.