Does your Tulsi plant also dry up in winter? Many plant lovers face this problem plant – their Tulsi plant is drying up, leaves are falling off & turning black, and plant stop growing.
Winter stress is the biggest reason behind this. So, don’t worry – in this post, I’m going to tell you about some common mistakes that plant lovers often make but with right care, you can keep your Tulsi plant healthy throughout the season.
Tulsi Plant Care in Winter: 10 mistakes to avoid
Mistake 1: Growing Tulsi in the Wrong Season
Tulsi (holy basil) is actually a summer plant, and its growth slows down during the winter months as it enters a dormant period.
Many people are still unaware of this. They often plant a new tulsi plant in the winter and then wonder why it is not growing.
Therefore, it’s important to avoid buying or planting it during the winter months; otherwise, it may dry out or its growth may be stunted.
For best results: plant during warm months during spring season.
Mistake 2: Wrong Watering Technique
Some gardener water their Tulsi plant daily, while others give them only a little water at a time: both practice are harmful.
Do You Know?
Giving too much water to a Tulsi plant can damage its roots, while giving too little water means the plant doesn’t get enough moisture, causing its roots to dry out and the plant to wither.
Expert Watering tips for Tulsi plant
- Do NOT Water daily.
- Water the plant only when the top layer of soil is dry.
- Water it thoroughly so that the water reaches the plant’s roots.
- Avoid giving small amounts of water that don’t reach the lower layers of soil.
Mistake 3: Using Poor Soil mix for Tulsi plant
It’s often observed that many plant lovers grow their Tulsi plants in a normal soil mix. While the plant thrives for a while, it eventually starts to deteriorate – its growth slows down or stops altogether.
I grow my Tulsi plant in an organic and nutrient-rich soil mix, which allows it to grow beautifully for years.
- I mix nutrient-rich compost (vermicompost) and sand into the soil mixture to make it soft and porous.
- This prevents water from accumulating in the soil and also promotes excellent plant growth.
Mistake 4: Using wrong Pot size for Tulsi plant
Most people plant their tulsi plants in fancy pots and small square ceramic pots – which, in my opinion, is a big mistake.
Tulsi plants do not grow well at all in such pots. These pots can cause problems over time.
Why, because:
- These small pots restrict root growth, potentially suffocating the plant.
- Due to the limited space in these pots:
- There is no room for tilling the soil.
- Fertilizer cannot be applied properly.
- Water does not penetrate properly to the roots.
- If weeds grow, it is difficult to remove them.
So, for optimal growth, choose a 10-12 inch clay pot.
Mistake 5: Not doing tilling
Not tilling the soil is a big mistake. If you don’t till the soil on time, it will become hard and won’t properly absorb nutrients and water. This will stunt the growth of your plants.
In container gardening, tilling the soil is very important.
- Loosening the soil before watering allows for better water absorption.
- This ensures proper distribution of nutrients and improves aeration in the soil.
Mistake 6: Not doing Pruning of Tulsi plant
Many people have the misconception that a tulsi plant should never be pruned, but this is incorrect.
How to prune:
- Pinch off the top leaves with your fingers – this encourages new leaves and branches.
- Regular removal of manjaris (flowers of the tulsi) – it is essential to regularly remove the flower stalks (manjaris) because, once dried, they turn into seeds that can negatively affect the growth of the main plant.
- Timely removal of these flowers is crucial to prevent the plant from drying up.
Mistake 7: Not Giving fertilizers
Nutrient deficiencies weaken plants and cause their leaves to wilt, stops growth which is why fertilizers are essential to maintain the necessary nutrient levels in the soil.
Signs your Tulsi needs nutrients:
-
Leaves turning yellow and black
-
stunted growth
-
weak branches
-
not becoming bushy
Feed your plant once a month with organic fertilizers such as:
-
Vermicompost
- Groundnut cake liquid fertilizer
-
Neem tonic (liquid fertilizer)
I always rotate fertilizers every month for balanced nutrition.
Mistake 8: Ignoring Pest Prevention
Unfortunately, some people overlook pest prevention and only address the problem after an infestation occurs.
What I do:
- I I have a routine where every 15 to 20 days I spray my plants with a liquid solution of neem leaves. This significantly reduces insect attacks on my plants.
You can also use neem oil spray as a preventive measure against pest attacks.
Mistake 9: Not providing enough Sunlight
Some people make a big mistake – they keep their basil plant in a place with little sunlight, indoors, or in a shady spot. As a result, their basil plant doesn’t grow well and dries out.
- You should know that Tulsi is an outdoor plant that needs 4 to 5 hours of sunlight daily to grow.
- Therefore, always keep your Tulsi plant in a sunny location such as an open balcony or terrace where it can get enough sunlight to thrive.
Mistake 10: Not Protecting Tulsi plant in winter
Being a summer plant, Tulsi needs some extra during the winter season.
Tulsi plant care in Winter:
- Keep your Tulsi plant away from dew, cold winds or rainwater.
- Place it under shaded area or in a sheltered spot under a net where it receive sunlight but stays protected.
- Cover it with plastic polythene in the evenings to guard against the cold winds, removing it the next morning when the sun is out.
- Avoid giving heavy fertilizer during winters, instead, use mustard cake liquid fertiliser once in a month.
- Do not water with cold water – use only room temperature water.
These steps protect the plant from winter shock and help it survive throughout the season.
Conclusion
By avoiding these 10 mistakes, you can care your tulsi plant in winter and keep your tulsi plant healthy and long-lasting even in winter.
Happy gardening!!