My basil plants have turned.......white? Help!?

Question

I planted them in a wine-barrel herb garden with just one or two other herb plants. They were a healthy green when I first planted them, and in just a week or so they have faded to an almost-white color. They are in the shade, have a timed sprinkler to water them every day, and we don't have insects eating them.

Are we over-watering? It's been 90 degrees here, but that has never stopped them from growing well before. Are they getting too much water? Not enough sun? Help! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

When you plant you need to use something in the soil to lighten it up. Such as Canadian peat, or some of the professional moisture control soil with your planting dirt. Mix it with the soil you are planting in. This help with the drought of summer heat. Also watering every day rots the roots.

You may have to get some seed starter mix and start your  (already growing) Basel in that again.  If you do, put them in the shade on the extremal hot days. Then gradually introduce them to more sun.

Answer 2

Maybe a low boost of fertilizer will get them back. I have like ten herbs in one container, full sun....but I also planted them in My own composted soil, which is full of nutrients.  They are outgrowing the container.  Use the water from any veggies You steam cook or boil.  Loaded with nutrients.  Just make sure it's cooled down!  I have faith!

Answer 3

I had the same problem last year. It turns out that in my case the soil wasn't good. It had a fine sand consistency which I thought would be perfect but it was killing my plant. Try adding some top soil to your barrel!

Answer 4

It sound to me like the basil is in a location that gets too much heat (it could even be radiant heat from a nearby wall or pavement), yet not enough light or water. Herbs grow best with at least 4 hours (and more) of direct sun but they have to be kept well watered. What I see most often with container gardening is lack of water and improper location. I suggest that everyone water their containers on days that it rains, as well as days that they would water anyway. Often the soil in containers is covered by the plants it contains and the drip line is outside the container – leaving the soil dry after a rain. We have to pay close attention to the amount of water going INSIDE the container and thoroughly soak the soil, in container gardens.

Answer 5

Probably soil -- and check that your soil is not water-logged.  Over watering will leach nutrients out of the pot in addition to rotting the roots.

You might do better watering by hand.  Water generously when the soil is dry to the touch.  How frequently depends on the weather -- if it is hot sunny windy plants will use more water to stay cool than they will if it is overcast or rainy.

I think basil would want at least SOME direct sun.  Shade grown plants may get leggy and floppy reaching for light.  If your starts came out of a shadier growing situation the previous answer is right that you would expose them to more light gradually.

"white" leaves may burn if you move them to direct sun.  However all you have to do is provide the right conditions and the plants will most likely recover.

good luck with them!