basil plant has yellow leaves?

Question

I've been growing some basil plant I bought from the grocery. The bottom half of the plant has yellow leaves, while the top is green. They're growing in pots an are about 1 ft tall.

I've heard this is a sign they're not getting enough sunlight, but they get about 12 hours/day with the daily temp 25C.

Any suggestions on what might be wrong with them?

Answer 1

These are old leaves. The plant isn't wasting any of it's resources maintaining them because they're being overshadowed by the new growth. Pinch them off. To stop this from happening again, harvest the basil leaves from the bottom for use in cooking. This will get rid of mature leaves, and keep the plant vital.

Answer 2

It's dieing of old age but you could try giving it a good dose of nitrogen and putting it under a florescent light for about sixteen hours a day. Don't chop it down and get the tips about 3cm from the bulbs. They are photo-period sensitive when the days get shorter the start to die down.

Answer 3

anything sold indoors usually comes from a greenhouse and are grown for such. Your plant needs iron. The best way to grows herbs is from the seed.

Answer 4

Could also be staying too wet. Basil doesn't like to be too wet nor does it like very hot, humid weather.

Answer 5

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/herbs/msg0811431220091.html?9

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1644.html

I love the way basil smells and tastes.. have you tried the lemon basil..

Answer 6

The soil is lacking nutrients. Add a little fertilizer.

Answer 7

It needs some miracle gro and maybe it's getting too much light.

Answer 8

iv had mine do the same, i just pinch off the yellowed leaves, and it seems to be o.k.