5 Best Fertilizer for Basil 2022 [Top Pick & Reviews]

Cars need fuel to move, people need food to live and basil needs nutrients to thrive. And fertilizer is the source where the basil can get their required nutrients.

But remember; all kind of fertilizer is not perfect for basil. They have slightly different nutritional demands like all other herbs.

Now the question; what is the best fertilizer for basil?

In short, the organic or inorganic type of fertilizers that are specially formulated for herbs and other leafy vegetables. Besides, the good basil fertilizers will be free from toxic or harmful chemicals.

For your convenience, here I will introduce you to the 5 best fertilizers for basil that you can pick for your growing basil or other herbs.

So, without wasting your valuable time, let’s get started-

In a Hurry? Here is a quick recommendation for your basil-

Best Fertilizer for Basil-Comparisons

FertilizersNPKTypeFormPrice
Jobe’s Organics Herb Plant Food 2-5-3OrganicGranular
Espoma Garden-Tone Plant Food3-4-4OrganicGranular
Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Plant Food 18-18-21InorganicGranular
Jobe's Organics Herb Fertilizer4-3-3OrganicSpike
Dr. Earth Vegetable & Herb Fertilizer4-6-3OrganicGranular

Best Fertilizer for Basil-Reviews

1.Jobe’s Organics Herb Plant Food

Jobe’s Organics Herb Plant FoodIf you are looking for the best organic fertilizer for basil, you may pick Jobe’s Organics Herb Plant Food without hesitation. It is specially formulated for herbs that you can apply to all kinds of indoor and outdoor basil including Sweet basil, Holy basil, Thai basil, Cinnamon Basil, Opal Basil, Lemon Basil, Lime Basil, and so on.

According to the NPK formula, This fertilizer contains 2% nitrogen,5% phosphate, and 3% potash as the primary nutrients. Plus, it contains both water-soluble and insoluble nitrogen.

You will be happy to know; the water-soluble nitrogen provides the nutrient quickly to the plants and the insoluble nitrogen feeds the plant continuously for a certain period of time.

Also, it has some other essential plant nutrients including calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.

It is an organic fertilizer that is derived from feather meal, bone meal, poultry manure, and sulfate of potash.

Biozome formula is the best part of this fertilizer. Biozome is the blend of healthy soil bacteria, fungi, and archaea. This formula protects your basil from diseases, pests, and drought.

Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of this herb fertilizer and promote the growth of your basil.

 

2.Espoma Garden-Tone Plant Food

Espoma Garden-Tone Plant FoodEspoma Garden-Tone Plant Food is another best fertilizer for herbs and vegetables including basil, tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, oregano. It is a natural and organic fertilizer that boosts plant growth and produces an abundant harvest of nutritious & flavorful vegetables.

The NPK ratio of this fertilizer is 3-4-4. That means it has 3% nitrogen,4% phosphate, and 4% potash.

Good news; the 2.2% nitrogen has been coated for slow release that feeds your plant continuously without burning the leaves. Also, It contains water-soluble nutrients for instant feeding.

It contains some other macro and micronutrients to meet the nutritional demand of basil.

This fertilizer is formulated from feather meal, bone meal, alfalfa meal, poultry manure, green sand, sulfate of potash, and sulfate of magnesia. All are organic and natural ingredients.

Bio-Tone formula makes this fertilizer best for basil and other vegetables. It has 60 lakh colony-forming units and 1% humic acid to protect the plant from diseases, insects, and environmental stress.

Apply 1 tablespoon for in-ground basil and ½ tablespoon for potted basil to promote the growth of the basil.

 

3.Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Plant Food

Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Plant FoodAre you looking for the quick-acting fertilizer for your most hungry basil plant? Here is the best water-soluble fertilizer from Miracle-Gro. Miracle-Gro formulated this fertilizer specialty for herbs and vegetables.

I am very excited to tell you that the fertilizer contains each and every required nutrient for growing basil. As the primary nutrients, it contains 18% nitrogen,18% phosphate, and 21% potash. Also, it contains magnesium, boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc.

Good news; most of the micronutrients have a chelated coat that can protect them from different soil reactions and make them always available for plants.

It is an inorganic fertilizer but it is derived from some non-toxic chemicals such as ammonium sulfate, potassium nitrate, sulfate of potash, boric acid, zinc sulfate.

If you are not a serious organic grower, then Miracle-Gro is the best for your indoor potted or outdoor basil. Mix 1 tablespoon into a gallon of water and apply as a liquid fertilizer to the basil every 7 or 14 days.

 

4.Jobe’s Organics Herb Fertilizer Spikes

Jobe's Organics Herb Fertilizer SpikesJobe’s strikes again with the best spike fertilizer for basil. It is also specially formulated fertilizer for herbs and vegetables. 

If you need the easy to apply fertilizer for your basil, it is the perfect pick for you. Forget the pre-measure, pre-mix. Simply poke the fertilizer into the soil near the plant and the job is done.

Now let’s talk about the nutrients. The NPK number of this fertilizer is 4-3-3. That means it contains 4% nitrogen,3% phosphate, and 3% potash. This fertilizer may contain some other nutrients but the manufacturer didn’t mention that.

It is an organic fertilizer that is also formulated from feather meal, bone meal, and sulfate of potash.

Like all other Jobe’s organics fertilizer, it also contains Biozome and you know Biozome is the natural blend of some soil microbes.

Want to know the best part of the spike fertilizer?

Spike fertilizer has a lower chance of washout by surface water and it can apply easily to the potted and in-ground plants. In my opinion, it is the best fertilizer for potted basil as well as garden basil.

Simply insert a spike into the soil near the basil plants and water to start feeding.

 

5.Dr. Earth Organic Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Fertilizer

Dr. Earth Organic Tomato, Vegetable & Herb FertilizerDr.Earth is the well-renowned brand for organic and natural fertilizer and here is the best natural fertilizer for basil from Dr.Earth.It is an OMRI-certified organic product that you can pick for your edible vegetable without hesitation.

According to the granular analysis, it has 4% nitrogen,6% phosphate,3% potash,4.75% calcium. If you like slow-release fertilizer, you may like this fertilizer too. Because the total amount of nitrogen has been coated for slow release that feeds basil plants continuously and helps to grow more leaves.

This fertilizer is formulated from some natural and organic ingredients such as fishbone meal, fish meal, alfalfa meal, potassium sulfate, kelp meal, rock phosphate, and kelp flour. See, It does not contain any toxic chemical that is why it has an OMRI certificate.

Trubiotic formula makes this fertilizer more effective for plants. Trubiotic formula refers to a handcrafted blend of beneficial soil microbes that help you get the diseases and pest-free basil. Also, it has 1.5% humic acid that protects your basil from environmental stress.

Sprinkle 1 cup for 10 square feet growing area or ¼ cups per 5 gallons potting soil. Mix gently and water your basil to get a better result.

 

Basil Fertilizer Requirements

Basically, the basil needs the blanched nutrients of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. Nitrogen helps your plant to make plant bushy with lots of green leaves. Phosphorus helps the basil to promote healthy root growth and potash is important for the overall health of the basil.

Also, the basil needs a small amount of some other essential plant nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron, copper, etc.

Homemade Fertilizer for Basil

Here is the DIY Fertilizer for Basil-

  1. Cut the fishbone and banana peels into pieces and dry them in full sun.
  2. Grind them
  3. Mix coffee grounds, banana peel, fishbone equally.
  4. Apply 1-2 tablespoons to the basil plant.

When Fertilize Basil Plants?

The fertilizer application schedule depends on the type of fertilizer and the growing condition of the basil. Apply fertilizer every 27-40 days for indoor basil and every 14-21days for outdoor basil.

If you pick slow-release fertilizer, the application period will be longer but if you pick water-soluble fertilizer, you should apply 7-14 days for better results.

The best and safest idea is to read the label of your fertilizer and follow the schedule and dosages.

How to Fertilize Basil Plants?

Here is the best way to fertilize basil plants to get better yields-

  1. Pick the best plant food for herbs for your basil.
  2. Measure the fertilizer(avoid the step if you pick spike fertilizer )
  3. Pour the pre-measured fertilizer to make a solution and apply the solution to the basil (only for water-soluble and liquid fertilizer) 
  4. Sprinkle the pre-measured granular fertilizer around the basil plants and mix the fertilizer to the soil gently.
  5. Now water the plant to start feeding.

Frequently Asked Questions

#Are coffee grounds good for basil plants?

Coffee grounds are the source of nitrogen and you know nitrogen is essential for the foliar growth of plants. So, you can feed 1-2 tablespoons of coffee grounds to your basil every month. But remember; too much nitrogen can burn the leaves.

#Is Miracle-Grow good for basil?

Miracle-Gro is a well-renowned brand. They have been producing good quality fertilizer for 150 years. But They also produce special fertilizer for the herb. You can apply Miracle-Gro Herb and Vegetable fertilizer to your basil.

Conclusion

I have tried every detail about the basil fertilizer. If you get the perfect basil plant with abundant yields, this article will help you.

I hope you got the best fertilizer for basil from my list. Now follow the label directions of your fertilizer, feed your plant and wait a few days to see the better results.

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