Question
I have a basil plant which I keep in my kitchen window. I had one for a year it required alot of water and lasted a year until I went away and it was neglected.  I bought two others and the first one had black spots and was sickly. It looked find in the store. I bought another and it was great but suddenly started getting a weird clear film  almost crystal like and some black spots.  We had a mold problem in our house several years ago and I am afraid its air quality. Could this be mold growing on the plants or bugs.  I wish I could see pictures of what mold does to plants. I also have a bamboo plant which is turning yellow. We have very hard water.

Answer
Dear Michelle, You actually bring up a number of subjects so let me give you what information I have. First on basil plants, they are generally annuals and don't usually last more than one year.  The best way to keep them as long as possible is to continually pinch off the blooms as they appear, but all herb plants are annuals (except some like rosemary) so they will need to be replaced from time to time.  The black spots on the other ones are a type of fungus caused by over wet conditions.  The best way to clear that up is to cut off the black part and reduce the water and increase the sunlight if possible.  I'm actually not sure about the film on the one unless you had spider mites on it or botrytis blight.  Now about the mold.  Generally the mold that a plant gets will usually look like the furry gray hairs on over ripe strawberries and is called botrytis blight.  The mold in the house will not affect the plants but it may affect you.  Actually I have read a lot of research on plants and their air improving qualities.  Houseplants can rid the air of many harmful substances.  As far as the bamboo plant is concerned, I assume you mean one of the "lucky bamboo" that is grown in a dish with water.  Increase the light it is getting, give the pot a good scrubbing especially to remove any white deposits around the rim of the bowl: this is salt buildup and will cause plants to yellow.  Trim any yellow leaves, clean the bowl, increase the light, and if the water concerns you buy bottled water (get gallon jugs) to water those plants.  Also be sure to clean thoroughly your basil pot to avoid transmitting any more disease.  I hope this information helps.  Good luck, Melissa