How To Restore Basil After It Starts Wilting

Water the basil plants as soon as you notice wilting has occurred. Give them a solid drink, but don't overdo it --- if a big mud puddle forms, it's too much. The plants should start perking up soon after.

Pinch off the leaves that are wilted and use them in cooking. This is especially advisable if only parts of the plant show wilt signs yet remain green. Pinching the tops off is actually a general way to help encourage fuller plants and ensure a good harvest. Pinching off flower heads before they can bloom serves this purpose, too.

Avoid digging and relocating the plants unless you've discovered they're in a very soggy part of your garden. Too much water isn't a good idea for these plants. They prefer direct sun in a well-drained location where they can flourish and bush out. If you live in a colder area, growing basil can be a little more difficult --- which is why potted plants are preferred by some growers. If yours are in a pot, give them a good, long drink and let them drain completely. They should recover just fine if there are no other signs of problems.

Check for any signs of bugs or disease. If the plants have unusual spots or chunks bitten out of the leaves, you could have a more serious problem and the wilt could be due to disease or pest infestation. Though this is quite rare with basil, it's worth investigating. If you find browning leaves that have wilted suddenly, it's very likely fusarium wilt. Dig up and discard the plants. Check at your local nursery for nontoxic pest sprays and disease remedies.