Yes, you can overwater your basil, which can lead to root rot, and cause the basil leaves to wilt or turn yellow. However, it may surprise you to hear that basil doesn't becomes overwatered when it is given too much water at once, but when it is watered too regularly.
Tony O'Neill gardening author and the creator of Simplify Gardening says, 'Basil is a Mediterranean herb that prefers well-drained soil and does not appreciate water-logged conditions. Overwatering can lead to a condition called root rot, which can damage or even kill your basil plant. That's why adjusting your watering to the plant's needs is important rather than sticking to a rigid schedule.'
To avoid this, ensure there is no water sitting under the plant, for example, if you are growing the basil in a container or have a saucer under your plant.
Bryan Clayton, Founder of GreenPal advises, 'Basil plants prefer a well-drained soil. This type of soil structure ensures that water does not sit around the roots for extended periods, which could also lead to root rot.'
You can aerate the soil, which is where you can use a weeder tool to make air holes and twist the tool to create air passages and loosen the soil around your basil. By doing this more air can get into the root system to dry them out. This can help you to avoid suffocating your plants.