My basil plant grew a weird purple flower after I left it out in the cold

I have a basil plant on my kitchen windowsill that I've kept for about 8 months. Last week, I accidentally left it outside overnight when the temp dropped near 40 degrees. Instead of dying, it shot up a tall stem with small purple flowers a few days later. I looked it up and found out this is called bolting, which happens when the plant gets stressed and tries to make seeds fast. The leaves taste a bit bitter now, but I'm letting it flower to see what happens. Has anyone else had a plant bolt from something besides heat?

4 comments

4 Comments

phoenixk641mo ago

I read a gardening blog once that said sudden changes in light can make plants bolt too, like moving them to a much shadier spot. My friend's lettuce all flowered early after her neighbor's tree grew big and blocked the sun. I guess the plant feels like its time is running out. Stress is stress, whether it's cold, shade, or even a broken stem.

fiona_carr261mo ago

Yeah, the "stress is stress" part is so true. My basil bolted last year after I accidentally snapped a main stem while tying it up. It just gave up on leaves and went straight to flowers, like it was in a panic. Plants really do have a single-minded will to survive.

sammartinez1mo ago

Man, my plants must think I'm a total disaster. I overwatered my peppers once and they dropped every single flower, like they were staging a full-on protest. They really do have a dramatic way of telling you you've messed up.

avery_flores17d ago

Something nobody mentioned: maybe it’s about the pot size. Roots got cold and crowded in that same pot for 8 months, then the shock just tipped it over the edge. Constricted roots are a stress you can’t see.