Tips To Care For Holy Basil Plant

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The basil plant is holy to the Hindus. This is because, Tulsi plant (basil) is the wife of Lord Vishnu. There are many other reasons why the basil plant is considered holy. So almost every Indian household has a Tulsi plant and need to know how to care for a holy basil plant. You may have noticed that it is very easy to grow basil plants. However, caring for a basil plant is very difficult.

Basil usually grows in the wild too, but still it is a plant that has many specific requirements. You need to learn some specific things to care for a basil plant. Here are some tips that can help you nurture your holy basil plant properly.

Partial Sunlight
Basil is a tropical plant but it still dislikes direct sunlight. So, do not keep your basil plant at a spot where the sun is beating down. Indirect sunlight is best for basil plants.

Watering
Basil likes lots of moisture in the soil. So you need to water it at least 3 times daily in summers and twice in winter. If the basil plant is out in the sun, then it needs more water than the indoor plants.

Soil
Basil needs soil that can retain moisture. That is why black soils with high amounts of clay matter are good for tulsi plants. The most basic thing you must know to care for basil plants is that they need to be in a moist soil that can keep them well supplied with water for many hours.

Fertilisation
There is no need for adding chemical fertilizers to basil plants. All you have do is add some mulch to the soil before planting it. Renew the mulch every year so that the soil does not get depleted. However, you need not overdo the fertilising part because the plant will continue to grow even without mulch. But the flavour of the basil leaves may reduce. If you want aromatic basil, then you need to give organic manure.

Pruning
Once the basil plant starts sprouting flowers, not only it will its leaves lose the flavour but it will also stop growing. Moreover, the plant starts putting all its resources to making the flowers bloom. So, prune away the flowers as soon as they appear.

Pesticides
It is almost unheard of for a basil plant to develop pests. As basil has anti bacterial properties, it it does not get infected with pests. In short, basil plants do not need pesticides.

These are some simple tips to take care for basil plants. If you have something more to add, do drop a comment.