Overwintering guide
How to overwinter licorice basil
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — licorice basil uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
The mistake that kills licorice basil in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and licorice basil rots from the base.
More licorice basil care
Overwintering licorice basil — FAQ
Does licorice basil need to come indoors for winter?
Licorice Basil is hardy to roughly USDA zone 10 — winter lows around -1°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Licorice Basil is frost-tender, so overwintering means bringing it inside and letting it rest rather than pushing it to grow. Move it indoors well before the first frost, give it the brightest spot you have (light levels indoors drop sharply in winter), and keep it away from both cold window glass and hot radiators — the swing between the two does more damage than the cold itself.
When should I move licorice basil for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water licorice basil in winter?
Cut watering right back — licorice basil uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills licorice basil over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and licorice basil rots from the base.