How Much Water Does Basil Need?

Basil is a popular herb in the kitchen and the garden, and one of the most well-known herbs grown in the United States. 

Basil is a lush and aromatic plant that adds spice and flavor to your kitchen and garden. 

Basil plants are a popular herb native to South Asia and the  South Pacific islands. 

Basil is originally from India but has been cultivated in  Mediterranean and South Asian countries for centuries. 

Caring for a basil plant isn’t complicated, but it does have specific watering needs that vary from bud to bud. 

Technically known as Ocimum basilicum, basil grows indoors and outdoors and is used in a variety of dishes. 

This member of the mint family can be grown with little effort. 

Considered a tender annual, the basil plant produces aromatic leaves that are commonly used in Italy. 

There are different types of basil with different properties, but what they all have in common is that they all love sun, warmth, and water. 

Basil is a delicious herbaceous plant, which means it needs plenty of water to stay plump. 

Turgor pressure is the pressure that water exerts on the plant cell walls. Loss of turgor pressure leads to wilting of the plant. 

Therefore, if the basil plant is not watered properly, there is a risk that it will wither and then die.

It’s important to understand the proper watering schedule so you don’t over- or under-water this delicate plant. 

Below is everything you need to know about caring for basil plants. This article covers everything on how much water basil needs.

How Much Water Does Basil Need Daily? 

Basil needs about one inch of water per week. 

If you’re growing your basil in a 10-inch diameter pot, that means you’d need to use a little over half a gallon of water per week. 

How much and how often you need to water your basil depends on several factors. 

Most of the time, however, you should water your basil every 3 to 4 days.

Basil doesn’t need to be watered every day unless you recently planted it. 

Daily watering is an option, but it’s best to spread the water out throughout the week to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. 

It is important to water in the morning. By watering in the morning, your plant will not go through the day thirsty and possibly wither. 

It also gives the foliage and stems a chance to dry out. cool and humid before night, which also helps reduce the incidence of disease.

Water an indoor basil plant twice a week for a total of 1 inch of water.

Basil can be watered every day, but it doesn’t have to be. 

Room basil should be watered twice a week with a total of 1 inch of water. 

Outdoor basil should be watered three times a week with a total of 1.5 inches (4 cm) of water.

Add half an inch of water to outdoor basil three times a week.

 At the end of the week, you have given the basil 4 cm of water. 

Daily watering will not nourish basil roots as well as water. 

Read More:

• How Much Water Do Plum Trees Need?

• How Much Water Do Trumpet Vines Need?

• How Much Water Does Tarragon Need?

Signs Your Basil Needs Water

The appearance of crispy, brown leaves is the biggest sign that basil needs water. 

It can also look limp and unhealthy. If you’re growing basil indoors, feeling the weight of the container can also be a good indicator. 

Crunchy brown leaves are the main sign that basil needs water.

Basil that looks limp and dull may be dehydrated. Indoor basil pots, which are very light, can accommodate dry soil. 

Water the basil when the top of the soil feels dry. 

Dry soil is very light, depending on its size, the container can feel virtually weightless when the soil is completely dry. 

However, one of the best ways to know for sure if your basil needs water is to touch the soil.

When it’s dry to a depth of 1cm, it’s time to water the basil. 

What Is The Best Method For Watering Basil? 

Outdoor basil can be watered 1 to 3 times a week. If you’re planting basil in full sun, plan on three waterings. 

Each irrigation should provide half an inch (1 cm) of water. 

However, in the height of summer, you can provide the outdoor basil with an extra half inch of water each week. 

Water once a week should be enough. Water basil outdoors 1 to 3 times a week. 

Provide an additional half inch of water if your basil is planted in full sun. 

Water weekly and use containers with good drainage.

Basil can be watered from below or from above. Indoor basil does well with 1 inch of water per week, divided into two waterings. 

Be sure to use containers that drain well. 

When watering basil, a strong jet of water can damage the stems.

Water the basil from above or below.

How Moist Should The Soil Be For Basil?

Basil prefers moderately moist soil. This means that he does not like soil that is too wet or too dry. 

Achieving the perfect balance is important to the health of your plant. 

Basil prefers warm weather, but full sun and high temperatures can dry out the soil.

Check your basil’s soil frequently in the heart of summer. 

If you’re experiencing a particularly rainy summer, you may need to water less to prevent the basil from becoming soggy. Neither dry nor too wet. 

Basil planted in dry soil will not thrive. Soil soaked in water turns pale and plants wither.

Basil planted in saturated soil may turn pale and wilt. 

Meanwhile, basil plants growing in dry soil may not reach their full height or bloom as they should. 

Achieving a balance with moist soil can allow your fresh basil to grow well.

How To Adjust Watering Basil During Different Weathers

The water needs of your basil plant change with the seasons. 

If the seasons change, you experience unusually hot or cold days in your area, or the weather in your home changes, pay attention to your plants and their changing humidity levels to avoid over- or under-watering and to keep the plant healthy.

For potted basil for use on a porch or patio, water daily in summer. You can extend it to every 2 days on cooler summer days depending on the heat. 

During extreme heat waves, you may need a little more. 

Consider a same-day topping to keep the root system moist and reduce wilting. 

Basil in the garden needs a little less water.

Water every 2-3 days on hot days when hot or particularly dry. 

Water early, before the heat of the day sets in or after dark. 

While it’s always a good policy to water in the morning hours, it’s especially important when it’s very hot, as it gives the plant the water it needs to withstand a higher temperature than usual. 

If it rains a little, you can reduce the watering schedule of your basil plants to about once a week to avoid overwatering.

Check the soil’s moisture level down to your fingertips when you’re unsure about watering. 

If it feels only slightly damp, make sure you soak the basil well without weighing it down.

Dangers Of Overwatering Your Basil

Overwatering can be just as harmful as underwatering. 

You will know you are overwatering when greenish haze forms on the surface of the soil or potting soil. 

Sometimes the soil seems dry, but the surface may have dried out. 

It sounds strange, but plant roots need to breathe. 

The soil must have enough air so that the roots can absorb the necessary amount of oxygen. 

If the soil is flooded for a long time,  the roots cannot absorb the right amount of oxygen. 

Your plants may end up collapsing and dying, or the roots may rot from disease if you water them constantly. 

A good rule of thumb is to water garden plants  when the top two inches of soil are almost dry

It’s certainly possible to overwater basil.

Basil is an herb that prefers a  balance of dryness and moisture to thrive. It’s easy to accidentally overwater basil. 

Signs of overwatering appear mainly on the leaves of the plant. Basil leaves are usually glossy, turning yellow from the base of the leaf up. 

You can easily water basil.

Signs of overwatering are appearing on the leaves of the plant. 

Root rot is another classic sign of overwatering. It’s the beginning of root rot, which is another sign of overwatering. 

The root ball can also appear discolored,  ranging in color from yellowish brown to almost black.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still, need more answers? Explore the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here.

Final Thoughts

Water the basil 1 to 3 times a week. Don’t completely saturate the soil when you water it. 

When the top half inch of soil is dry, it’s time to water the basil.

Then water the soil to a depth of 2 to 3 inches.

If the soil dries out quickly between waterings, water more often in hot weather. 

Several things take into account how much water basil needs. 

This includes whether your basil will be planted in containers or outdoors, and how much sun and heat it will get. 

Both too little and too much water will stress, ruin or kill the plant.

With proper watering and direct sunlight, basil will thrive. 

You can recognize overwatered basil by its yellow leaves.

Crisp or drooping leaves indicate that basil needs water. 

With a proper basil watering schedule, your herbs will thrive. 

A basil plant makes an excellent addition to any herb garden. 

Follow the tips in this article to enjoy a good harvest.