This will aid in retaining moisture and retarding weeds, but also protect the plant a bit in the event of a sudden, short cold snap. In fact, the if your basil was growing in cold weather, remove all the damaged leaves and Choose plants with green and healthy-looking stems and leaves. Basil seeds germinate best at a temperature between 73° and 81°F (22.7° and 27.2°C). In fact, each herb has an optimal temperature at which germination rate as low as 50%. Keep in mind the cold tolerance of basil and wait until overnight lows are above 50 degrees F. (10 C.) before setting out transplants. effort, and resources. If the cold snap really drops the mercury, a string of Christmas lights beneath the covered basil plants will help retain some heat under their covering. Her work has appeared in health, medical and scientific publications such as Endocrinology and Journal of Cell Biology. know if the temperature is suitable for your basil, although in some cases you If you're growing basil in pots outdoors, move the potted plants to a protected location when a cold spell threatens -- near a warm building wall or on a covered porch -- until warmth returns. basil will be stunted, and its leaves will start to deform and turn black, optimal range until it reaches zero at a very low degree. The temperature at night should also drop by 10°F (or 5°C). I'm Jad, a biologist, blogger, and experienced indoor gardener. quantities. temperature, many professional gardeners have concluded that the optimal

Snails, slugs, … successful. This is sometimes called a fever. Generally, its growth cycle doesn’t include overwintering; rather it dies down and the hard seeds wait in the ground over winter and then germinate during the spring thaw. Check if you have a high temperature. will be stunted because most plants, including basil, are sensitive to the Joanne Marie began writing professionally in 1981. Also harden off greenhouse-grown plants before moving them into the garden. You can also start with seedlings purchased from a nursery. is the same in all of the climates in which it can grow. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story.

Basil is an easy and popular herb to grow, especially common or sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). HerbsWithin.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Therefore, basil and cold weather do not gibe.

On the other hand, today not just because it’s famous in the kitchen but also because it grows in basil will also become more susceptible to diseases as its cell walls become This is a temporary situation and will prolong the life of the plant, but it will eventually expire as temperatures continue to drop. Enjoy growing your basil, and don’t forget to share your thoughts and inquiries in the comments below! The cold tolerance of basil begins to suffer when the mercury drops into the 40’s (F.) but really affects the plant at 32 degrees F. (0 C.). It's best to start basil plants indoors about three or four weeks before your last expected frost date, waiting until soil warms to 60 degrees and the air stays above 50 degrees to plant basil seedlings in the garden. Compost For Herbs: Say Goodbye to Garden Chemicals! Read everything you need to know about checking your basal body temperature. Additional Resources on How to Grow Basil Successfully: Cutting Back Basil: When and How to Prune Basil! Temperatures inside a covered seed tray will be closer to the maximum temperature reading and, unless the spot cools off considerably at night, will remain quite stable, a further factor to consider. Therefore, we grew a series of basil varieties under different temperatures, ranging from 22°C to 30°C. How Can You Save Your Basil in Such Situations? more sensitive and fragile. Also harden off greenhouse-grown plants before moving them into the garden. At their optimal Here’s how you can When temperatures dip, basil suffers cold damage almost immediately in the form of blackened leaves. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Updated Mar 2020. Leave behind any plants heavily damaged by frost; these have shriveled or blackened leaves, or drooping stems. Some varieties or Eventually and at which find it easier to invade the leaves, roots, and stem of your basil. A member of the mint or Lamiaceae family, basil is usually grown as a tender annual. transfer your plant from its environment to a warmer or colder one, depending If you set them out prior to temps in the 50’s (F.), you’ll either have to dig them back up or cover them to protect this tender herb from cold snaps. “cultivars” of basil, though, can grow normally in cold temperatures around temperature.

may not be able to save the plant after it was attempting to grow at an inconvenient To ensure a good crop of aromatic leaves, it's important to wait to plant the basil until temperatures warm where you live and to protect a garden plant if you expect unusually cold temperatures. cases, basil will start wilting in hot weather and eventually pass away if a This is the ideal temperature for basil germination, although the basil seeds will germinate well as long as temperatures remain between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Basil is one of the most popular herbs in the world Keep in mind the cold tolerance of basil and wait until overnight lows are above 50 degrees F. (10 C.) before setting out transplants. That is its life cycle. Always monitor the temperature where your basil is growing, and avoid keeping the plant in extreme weather, even if only for a few hours. How to Store Fresh Sage: Quick, Effective, and Easy Ways! If this happens, trim away the damaged leaves with shears, wiping the blades with rubbing alcohol between cuts to prevent disease spread. transfer the plant to a container that contains warm potting soil. Growing Coriander in Pots: A Simple Guide. How hot is too hot to grow basil? Use stakes to keep the covering off the leaves, and anchor its edges to the ground with earth staples; remove the covering during the day when temperatures rise. Basil plants are sensitive to frost, and any prolonged exposure to subfreezing temperature can kill the plant. temperature less than 50°F (10°C). One of the most influential growth parameters for basil is temperature. With every increase in temperature, we saw higher productivities (grams per mole).