Problems With a Basil Plant

Bad Taste

• A basil plant's leaves usually have a sweet, spicy or zesty taste--except when the plant begins to produce pollen in its flowers. At this point the leaves change flavor and become so bitter they are no longer enjoyable to eat. To avoid this outcome, a gardener has to pinch off the buds of the flowers as soon as they appear.

Disease

• Basil plants are susceptible to diseases, particularly fungal and mold attacks. Fusarium, for example, negatively affects few plants but causes disease in basil. According to a study published by Plant Diseases, Fusarium causes leaf curling, asymmetrical growth and wilting in basil plants.

Insect Attacks

• Many insects love feasting on the basil plant. Japanese beetles reduce the leaves to their midribs and veins. Slugs and caterpillars leave large holes, and white flies weaken the plant and cause the leaves to yellow. Some gardeners deal with these problems using natural remedies such as introducing predators, like spiders, ladybugs and song birds, into the garden.