Tag Archives: basil plant

Black Spots on Basil Plant Leaves

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I recently popped into the garden for some fresh air, glanced at the herb plants on the window ledge and noticed that some of the leaves on the basil plant had black spots on them! Oh no my plant is ill!

The black spots are most likely caused by one of many fungal infections, collectively known as blight. Damp conditions caused by the recent bouts of rain can encourage the fungi to grow. Lack of nitrogen in the soil is also a common cause of blight. Good nutrition is important for plants as well as people!

The plan is to repot the basil plant tomorrow in fresh, nitrogen-rich compost. The infected leaves can be cut off and the plant watered at the base to prevent the leaves from getting damp. A good natural fungicide is mixing baking soda in water and spraying it on the plant.

Hopefully the basil plant will make a full recovery! Basil gives a wonderful flavour to tomato soup.