Basil Leaves turning Yellow (5+ Causes and fixes for them)

Why are my Basil Leaves Turning Yellow? If your basil leaves are also turning yellow and turns brown, then you might be worried about it. Basil is a sweet herb with some spiciness and is used in various dishes around the world. It is a part of the mint family and it has an aromatic scent that refreshes the mind.

Quick takeaways:

  • Basil is a versatile herb that is used in every kitchen. You can easily grow it.
  • But you need to take care of them so that they give you long-lasting effects.
  • Otherwise, they will face the problem of yellow leaves which is not a good sign for them.
  • Yellowing of the leaves indicates that the plant is suffering from overwatering, underwatering, fungal infections, pests, and many more issues.
  • Yellow-colored leaves show a wrong sign about the plant and if it goes for long, then the plant can die. This might be due to various reasons that you will see soon.

If you are worried about the yellow basil leaves it is one of the common problems that you need to take care of you basil plants, then in this guide, you will come to know about the causes that turn their yellow color and even the ways out with the help which you can prevent or fix them. So, let’s start this guide to know about basil plants. 

Why is Basil Leaves Turning Yellow? 

If your basil leaves are also turning yellow according to the types of basil you have grown in your garden, then you might be worried about it. So you need to find genuine reasons behind it and you should be aware of its cause so that you find solutions for fixing them. So, below are the points that show why your basil leaves are turning yellow: 

1. Downy Mildew

Yellowing leaves might be due to the downy mildew. It is a disease that is induced by the pathogen Peronospora Belbahrii. This disease comes from the water and air which makes your plant dangerous. If your basil leaves are turning yellow from the inside then it might be due to the downy mildew. 

2. Improper Sunlight

Every plant needs sunlight for its growth and development. If your leaves are turning yellow, then you have to think first if you are providing them with proper sunlight. When the plants do not receive enough sunlight, then they slowly begin to turn yellow which indicates they are not receiving chlorophyll

3. Nutrient deficiency

When the plant doesn’t receive a sufficient amount of nutrients, especially potassium then they start to change the color of its leaves to yellow.

Potassium is much needed for the growth of any plant. So, it leads to yellow-colored leaves which is not a good thing for your plant.  

4. Overfertilization 

When you plant your basil plants outside, then you start to provide them with fertilizers more often which typically affects them.

Extra disposal of fertilizers slowly harms the plant and starts to change the leaves into yellow color.  

What are the Causes of yellow basil leaves? 

Various causes show the turning of yellow-colored leaves. Some of them are: 

1. Fungal disease

One of the main causes is the fungal disease that causes the plant to change the color of its leaves. The fungus disease spreads very fast and weakens the plant which at first turns its leaves yellow color and after some time, it will let the plant die. 

2. Overwatering

Another cause of yellow-colored leaves of basil plants might be overwatering. Being a sensitive herb, it needs water that can be tolerated by it.

As we know, excess of everything is bad so that it will spoil your vegetation. These plants need their soil to be moist but overwatering will make them over-soggy which is not good for the plant.  

3. Under-watering

Underwatering the plants could be a great cause. If the plant does not get the right amount of water, then it leads the plants to become weakened, it doesn’t give good results and you will remain worried. An improper supply of water lets the plant’s leaves change their color. 

4. Aphids

Pests are one of the major causes that play an important role in spoiling any vegetation. One of them is aphids on basil plants that tend to suck the juice from the plants which weakens the plants. This will turn the leaves of basil plants into a yellow color. So, you should control them otherwise your plants will die. 

5. Caterpillars 

Caterpillars are also one of the causes of yellow-colored leaves. They tend to roam around the plant and sit on them so that they can get their food from them. They feed themselves and spoil the plant and it changes them into Yellow color leaves. 

How can you fix the basil leaves turning yellow? 

As you come to know about the causes of the yellow-colored leaves of the basil plants. So, you need to get rid of them and fix them so that you protect your vegetation and get lots of fruitful results, so let us know some of the ways with the help of which you can fix them: 

1. Addition of  Nutrients to Your Soil 

You need to add organic matter to your soil which should be nutrient-rich so that you can fix the yellow color leaves issues. You can either use compost or even well-rotted manure. They can be bought online and even from the market. Doing this will prevent your leaves from turning yellow. 

2. Provide sufficient sunlight 

Basil plants need proper sunlight so that they grow properly and remain disease-free. You need to provide them with about 6 hours of sunlight regularly so that they give you great results.

In the wintertime, they need to be in 12 hours of sunlight for their growth. It will not let the plants gain yellow-colored leaves. 

3. What about the fixing of downy mildew? 

As said, it harms the plants and changes their leaf colors, you have to fix them. You can do so by separating the plant from other plants.

You can place the plant in a dry environment. You can even move the leaves of the plants that are being affected by the fungus. It can fix them.  

4. Provide them with sufficient water 

When the plant remains dry all the time, it gets infected and then dies. So, you have to provide the proper amount of water.

When you see that the leaves are getting dry, then you have to water them. Provide them the right amount of water as needed by them in portions as it will start to fix them. 

5. Do not overwater your plants

Overwatering is not good for your plant, provide them water as needed by them and you can remove the plant from the places if it’s wet.

Let them dry so that they retain moisture. And also, do not place any plate or saucer under your plant as it collects the water and harms your plant. 

Concluding lines 

In this guide, you come to know that Basil is a sweet herb with some spiciness and is used in various dishes around the world. It is a part of the mint family and it has an aromatic scent that refreshes the mind. It is a versatile herb that is used in every kitchen. You can easily grow it. But you need to take care of them so that they give you a long-lasting effect. Otherwise, they will face the problem of yellow leaves which is not a good sign for them. So please read the article carefully to know about them. 

Becky Decker

Becky Decker, our esteemed Editor-in-Chief, is a passionate gardener with years of experience in the world of horticulture. With her guidance, BonjourGreen.com aims to be your trusted companion on your gardening journey. Featured In   Becky Decker’s expertise and gardening wisdom have been recognized and featured in various prominent publications, including:   Homesandgardens.com Yahoo.com Urbansplatter.com Inkl.com Foliagefriend.com Yahoonews  Experience & Background   Becky Decker’s love for gardening has been a lifelong journey. She has honed her skills through countless seasons of planting, nurturing, and harvesting a wide variety of plants, flowers, and vegetables. Her deep-rooted knowledge is complemented by her Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from the University of Green Valley.   Prior to leading BonjourGreen.com, Becky worked as a garden consultant, helping countless individuals turn their outdoor spaces into vibrant, thriving gardens. Her experience spans over a decade, making her a trusted authority in the gardening community.   The Birth of BonjourGreen.com   Inspired by her passion for gardening and her desire to share her expertise with a wider audience, Becky Decker launched BonjourGreen.com in 2021. This platform serves as a hub for gardening enthusiasts of all levels, from beginners to seasoned pros.   At BonjourGreen.com, we are committed to providing you with comprehensive guides, expert advice, and hands-on tips to help you achieve success in your gardening endeavors. Whether you have a small balcony garden or a sprawling backyard paradise, we have the information you need to make your garden flourish.   Our Mission   BonjourGreen.com is more than just a gardening website; it’s a community of gardeners who share a common love for nurturing the Earth. Our mission is to empower you with the knowledge and resources to create beautiful, sustainable gardens that bring joy and tranquility to your life.   Join Us on This Green Journey   We invite you to explore BonjourGreen.com and embark on your gardening journey with us. Whether you’re seeking advice on planting techniques, pest control, landscaping ideas, or the latest gardening trends, you’ll find it all right here.   Connect with us, ask questions, and share your gardening stories. Together, we’ll cultivate a thriving community of gardeners and help each other make the world a greener, more beautiful place.   Let’s dig in and grow together at BonjourGreen.com, where gardening dreams bloom!

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