Why is my basil wilted?

11 years ago

My roommate picked up this basil from the grocery store. It was in a wet paper towel, plastic, and a rubber band, not in soil. She potted it in soil and put it up on top of our TV cabinet, a fair distance away from the windows. Not long after, it started looking like this...

We've been making sure it's watered evenly whenever the soil gets dry (and are being careful not to over water), and it isn't in direct sun light, but still gets a little. There's no noticeable draft where it's sitting, as far as I can tell. In fact, in terms of temperature, it actually spent a few days in the fridge before she potted it..

Is it maybe that the soil is too dense? Or is it just working through the shock period? Any ideas and tips would be much appreciated! :)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

bardamu_gw
11 years ago
The time in fridge and shock. Keep it away from direct sunlight for a while and just leave it alone for a few days. You might also save it by trimming down to first set of leaves. Or just start over. Basil likes it warm and sunny.
User thanked bardamu_gw
theforgottenone1013 (SE MI zone 5b/6a)
11 years ago
Agreed. You said it was bought in a store, it was in a paper towel instead of soil and also said it was in the fridge. Those are your issues right there. The plant has been through heck plus the roots can't sustain all that topgrowth right now. It needs a trim.

Rodney
User thanked theforgottenone1013 (SE MI zone 5b/6a)
Related Professionals
Pensacola Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · West Palm Beach Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Rocky Mount Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Newport News Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Des Moines Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Anchorage Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Miami Landscape Contractors · Toledo Landscape Contractors · Hudson Landscape Contractors · Sierra Vista Landscape Contractors · Miami Architects & Building Designers · Port Saint Lucie Architects & Building Designers · Elkton Architects & Building Designers · Springfield Architects & Building Designers · Champaign Architects & Building Designers
User
Original Author
11 years ago
Oh, good point. The basil was less wilted in the fridge so I just assumed that meant that it was better in the fridge, I didn't even think that might have put it into shock. I think what I'll do is trim off some of the bigger, heavier drooping leaves to get some of that weight off it. Maybe once it's lighter it'll be easier for it to recover. Thanks for your input!
balloonflower
11 years ago
It is also top heavy and leggy due to lack of sufficient light. It may bounce back if pinched off and can deal with the transplant. Basil needs lots of light and heat to thrive.