You can revive wilting indoor basil if you act fast and treat the right problem. Most droopy basil comes back strong within a day or two when you give it what it needs. The trick is figuring out whether your plant wants more water or less water since both problems look the same at first. Check the soil and roots before you do anything else and you will know exactly which fix to try.
I have brought back basil that looked completely dead more times than I can count. The worst case was a plant I forgot about during a busy week that lay flat with all its leaves hanging down like wet rags. I thought it was gone for sure but gave it a good soak anyway just to see. Within six hours the stems stood straight again and by morning it looked almost normal. That experience taught me never to give up on wilting basil until I try the obvious fix wilting basil needs first.
Wilting happens when leaves cannot get enough water to stay firm and plump. This sounds simple but two opposite causes create the same symptom. Dry soil means roots have no water to send up to the leaves. Wet soggy soil with rotting roots means the delivery system broke even though water sits right there. Your first move is always to stick your finger deep into the soil and feel what you find. This simple test tells you which path to take.
When the soil feels dry and pulls away from the pot edges, your basil just needs a good drink. Set the pot in a sink or tray and water slowly until liquid runs from the drainage holes. Let it soak for 15-20 minutes so the soil absorbs water all the way through. Move the plant to a cooler spot out of direct sun while it recovers since hot light stresses thirsty plants even more. You should see leaves perk up within a few hours as water moves through the stems.
Wet soil with a droopy plant means trouble that takes more work to fix. Gently tip the plant out of its pot and look at the roots. Healthy roots are white or light tan and firm to touch. Roots suffering from rot turn brown or black and feel mushy or fall apart when you handle them. If you find rot, trim away all the damaged roots with clean scissors until only healthy tissue remains. Repot into fresh dry soil and hold off watering for several days while the roots heal.
To save dying basil with root rot you need to give it the best possible conditions for recovery. Move the repotted plant to bright indirect light rather than full sun. Keep temps warm around 70°F (21°C) and bump up humidity with a nearby tray of water. Skip fertilizer until you see new growth since damaged roots cannot handle the extra salts. The plant may drop some leaves as it recovers and that is normal. Focus on keeping the remaining leaves healthy and watch for new shoots in 1-2 weeks.
Once your basil stands up straight again, take steps to prevent the same problem next time. Water only when the top inch of soil feels dry to your finger. Make sure pots have drainage holes and never let them sit in saucers full of water. Add perlite to heavy soil mixes so water flows through faster. Keep plants in the brightest spot you have since stressed plants recover basil plant health faster with good light. These habits stop most wilting before it starts and keep your basil looking great for months.
Read the full article: How to Grow Basil Indoors Successfully
