What Do You Have to Pay Attention to When Watering the Basil?

Delicious, aromatic, and Mediterranean, but also very sensitive as a potted plant – the basil. You should pay attention to this when watering basil:

• The Mediterranean herb needs a lot of water. It is best to water every day in summer.
• Avoid waterlogging, otherwise, the roots could rot.
• Do not water from above: the leaves are more easily attacked by fungal diseases when they are moist.
• It is best to water from below! To do this, fill the irrigation water in the cachepot and leave the basil pot in it for about 20 minutes so that the soil and roots can soak up the water properly. Please throw away the remaining water!

Proper watering alone is no guarantee that the sensitive kitchen herb will survive over a longer period of time. An important tip to keep in mind right after buying the herb pot from the supermarket is to divide the basil into two pots. The roots are usually much too dense, and the plant cannot develop properly and does not get enough nutrients. Planted in two pots with special herbal soil, the Mediterranean herb is much more likely to survive and grow lushly for a long time.

The place where you place your basil pot is also very important for it to thrive. Basil likes it warm and light. A warm window sill is ideal, but be careful: Too much direct sunlight in summer is not good for the plant either! You can also find tips and tricks for growing and harvesting basil and how to water it correctly in our basil food guide. With the right care, you will definitely enjoy the aromatic kitchen herb for longer.

Cooking with fresh herbs: you should pay attention to this

If you follow our tips and water your basil correctly, you will always have enough of the popular herb on hand to spontaneously prepare delicious Italian dishes. But always make sure that fresh herbs are very aromatic, but also sensitive. The essential oils responsible for the taste evaporate quickly if they are heated too much and for too long. Season with fresh herbs at the very end, just before serving, to guarantee the best possible taste experience. Dried herbs, on the other hand, should definitely be simmered a bit in order to be able to develop their aroma properly. In our food knowledge on types of herbs, you will find many tips, possible combinations, and recipes on the subject of “herbs in the kitchen”.

And here is a modern, surprising recipe tip with basil: try our recipe for basil sorbet. The basil yogurt ice cream turns your Caprese salad into an exciting culinary experience!