The most common causes of Basil leaves turning brown are under or over-watering, temperature stress, insufficient lighting, pests, or diseases. Brown leaves on Basil is usually a sign of a problem with the plant’s health and should be addressed as soon as possible.
If the basil doesn’t get sufficient sunlight, the leaves turn brown, or turn brown on edges, and curl . The plants grow with long stems with a few leaves due to the lack of sunlight. If you grow basil plants in containers, place them where they get enough sunlight. South-facing windows can be the place where basil loves to grow.
The next thing we wanted the answer to was: why are my basil stems brown at the bottom?
Basil stems brown at the bottom of the plant is a sure sign that the herb has been infected . Fusarium enters basil plants through their roots, penetrating the nutrient- and water-transporting xylem tissues.
While they are generally easy to grow and cultivate, basil plants are sensitive to abrupt and abnormal weather changes. If the temperature suddenly drops or spikes , resulting in your basil leaves turning brown or new leaves deforming, the growth of a basil plant may come to a stop.
One inquiry we ran across in our research was “When basil leaves turn brown?”.
If the leaves of your basil plant are turning brown, it could mean that they are not receiving enough sun. It’s important for basil plants to get at least six to eight hours of full or partial sunlight. It’s also important to plant basil in a very sunny but shady spot.
When I was researching we ran into the inquiry “Why are my basil leaves turning yellow?”.
One answer is, too much water is a common mistake made by owners of Basil plants. Overwatering a Basil plant will cause the roots to rot and the leaves to turn yellow and then brown. The soil should be moist but not soggy. This can especially be a problem if you have planted Basil in a pot without a drainage hole.
Is it safe to eat basil with brown spots on it?
I would not recommend consuming basil that has turned brown/black, especially if it is “slimy” to the touch. Even though a few brown spots are probably safe , it will be bitter and, well, slimy. Throw it away – and consider using some of the storage methods discussed in the link above. Show activity on this post.
While I was writing we ran into the query “What happens if you eat basil stems?”.
Some authors claimed and even though basil leaves are commonly used as a kitchen herb, the stems also add flavor to baked dishes, soups and pesto. If you see unhealthy stems , however, you’ll want to discard them so they won’t render an unpleasant taste to your food. Fungal pathogens may attack basil plants and leave telltale symptoms on all its plant parts.
Well, on the flip side, too much sun can harm the plant as well . If you leave your basil plant in direct sunlight (full sun) for 10 or more hours, you may end up with black or brown spots on your basil leaves, which is kind of like sunburn for a basil plant.
Also, what happens if you don’t water Basil?
One way to think about this is the leaves of a Basil plant that is underwatered will often become bitter and unpleasantly pungent. Don’t water your Basil plant on a schedule, but check the soil and foliage every few days to see if it needs to be watered. The plant can tolerate underwatering for a limited time and can recover if watered soon enough.
What is the black stuff on my basil leaves?
Insects may leave excrement, called frass, as brown or black droppings on basil leaves. If your harvested basil is headed for the kitchen, you’ll want to rinse the leaves and stems thoroughly to remove these droppings.
This is because of a process called oxidation, in which enzymes in the plant begin digesting it. This is similar to fruits like an apple, which begins to turn brown once you cut into it. The basil in your fridge will first turn brown, and then become slimy and become even darker eventually turning black. Make sure to use it before it goes bad!
One way to think about this is If it is brown rough and hard, then it the stem of the plant becoming woody with age and will do the plant no harm. If it is brown smooth and squishy then it is starting to rot off. Basil plants do not like a lot of water or conditions that are too humid.
Should I get indoor grow lights for basil plants?
If you leave your basil plant in direct sunlight (full sun) for 10 or more hours, you may end up with black or brown spots on your basil leaves, which is kind of like sunburn for a basil plant. If you live in a place where you just can’t get that much light through the day for your basil, it might be time to look at indoor grow lights.