Fresh basil is one of the most popular herbs in kitchens worldwide. Its fragrant leaves can transform simple dishes like pasta, salads, and pizzas into something extraordinary. But if you’ve ever bought a lush little pot of basil from the supermarket, you probably know the frustration: within a week, it starts to wilt, turn yellow, and eventually die.
The good news? The problem isn’t you—it’s how these plants are sold. With the right approach, you can rescue supermarket basil and grow it into a thriving, long-lasting plant that provides fresh leaves for months. Here’s how to do it step by step.
Why Supermarket Basil Dies So Quickly
Supermarket basil isn’t actually one plant. If you remove it from its pot, you’ll notice a dense block of roots with 20–30 seedlings all crammed together. While this looks appealing in the store, it creates competition for space, light, and nutrients. The result is that no individual plant can truly thrive. These pots are meant for short-term use—snip some leaves for your dinner and toss the rest.
But if you want to grow basil long-term, you’ll need to separate and replant it.
Step 1: Divide the Basil
- Remove the plant from the pot. Gently squeeze the sides and ease it out. You’ll see a compact root ball.
- Separate the seedlings. Carefully tease apart the roots with your fingers. Don’t worry if some roots break—basil is tougher than it looks.
- Tip: Soaking the root ball in a bowl of water for a few minutes makes this process easier.
- Keep one seedling per pot. Crowding two or three together may look nice, but one plant per pot grows much stronger and healthier.
Step 2: Repot Properly
- Choose the right container. Use small to medium-sized pots with drainage holes. The original supermarket pot size usually works fine.
- Use quality soil. A light, well-draining mix works best. Indoors, a blend of coconut coir and perlite helps reduce gnats, while outdoors, general compost is enough.
- Plant your seedlings. Place one basil seedling in each pot, fill around it with soil, and press gently to secure.
- Water thoroughly. Give each pot a deep drink until water drains from the bottom.
Step 3: Provide the Right Environment
Basil comes from the Mediterranean, so think warmth and sunshine.
- Light: Basil needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. A sunny south-facing window is ideal. If that’s not possible, supplement with a small grow light for 10–12 hours a day.
- Temperature: Basil prefers temperatures above 12°C (54°F). Cold nights or drafts from windows can stunt growth, so keep it in a warm spot.
- Watering: Basil likes consistently moist soil, but not soggy. Check with your finger—if the top inch feels dry, water thoroughly. Avoid letting the pot sit in standing water.
