Basil nutrient schedule
Per-stage nutrient targets for Ocimum basilicum across 2 documented growth stages, with a target pH of 5.5–6.
Nutrient schedule
Targets in ppm for the elemental nutrients most commonly tracked in home hydroponics. EC is shown per stage where the cited source publishes it; absence of a stage EC is intentional and not a data gap.
| Stage | N (ppm) | P (ppm) | K (ppm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| seedling | 210 | 31 | 235 |
| vegetative | 210 | 31 | 235 |
Target pH
Maintain reservoir pH at 5.5–6. pH controls how readily the roots can absorb each nutrient; outside this window the plant shows symptoms of deficiency even when the nutrients are physically present in solution.
Measure with a calibrated pH meter at the same time each day and log the reading. Drift of more than 0.3 units over 24 hours usually signals a reservoir change or a nutrient imbalance.
Sources
All numeric parameters on this page are drawn from the following extension and research sources.
- e-GRO Research Update 2016.04 — Symptoms of Common Nutrient Deficiencies in Hydroponic Basil (Mattson & Merrill) (accessed 2026-09-11)
- e-GRO Alert 1.8 — Iron Deficiency of Hydroponic Leafy Greens and Herbs (Mattson) (accessed 2026-09-11)
- e-GRO Alert 1.2 — Basil Fusarium Wilt (Daughtrey & Mattson) (accessed 2026-09-11)
- Purdue Extension HO-189 — Sweet Basil: A Production Guide (accessed 2026-09-11)
- Cornell Garden-Based Learning — Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners (Genovese basil) (accessed 2026-09-11)