Basil is one of the most popular and versatile herbs in the kitchen—but keeping it alive can be a real challenge if you don’t know its needs. If you’ve ever brought home a fresh basil plant only to watch it wilt a few days later, you’re not alone. Here’s how to properly care for basil so it grows lush, green, and full of flavor.

☀️ Light and Warmth: Basil Loves the Sun

Basil absolutely hates cold and dark places. If the temperature drops below 12°C (about 54°F), it stops growing altogether.

To keep your basil healthy, give it plenty of sunlight—at least 6 hours a day. A south-facing windowsill, balcony, or sunny patio is ideal.

Avoid placing basil in the shady corners of your kitchen. It may look decorative there, but it won’t survive for long.

🌱 Repot Grocery Store Basil – Here's Why

The basil plants sold in supermarkets are usually packed too tightly into small pots. This may look lush, but it creates overcrowding and competition for water and nutrients.

To give your basil a better chance:

  • Gently separate the individual plants
  • Replant them into a larger pot with fresh soil
  • Make sure each plant has space to grow

Repot Grocery Store Basil

💧 Watering: Avoid Drowning or Starving Your Plant

Basil likes consistently moist soil—not too dry, not soggy.

The biggest mistake people make is either overwatering or underwatering.

Here’s how to do it right:

  • Water when the top of the soil feels slightly dry
  • Avoid soaking the roots or letting water pool in the bottom of the pot
  • Use pots with drainage holes

✂️ Harvesting Tips: Don’t Just Pluck the Big Leaves

If you want your basil to grow into a bushy, full plant, it matters where and how you harvest.

Instead of pulling off the big leaves at the bottom, pinch off the top tips of the stems.

Always cut just above a set of small, new leaves. This encourages the plant to branch out and continue growing.

Removing only the large leaves will actually slow the plant down and may even kill it over time.

Harvesting Tips Basil indoor

🌿 Final Tip

No Sunny Window? Here’s an Indoor Option

Not everyone has a bright, south-facing window or a sunny patio. If you still want to enjoy fresh basil year-round, a small indoor hydroponic system with grow lights can be a game-changer. These systems provide the perfect amount of light and moisture automatically—ideal for busy or urban plant lovers.

We’ve found this compact Hydroponics Growing System (with built-in LED grow lights and a timer) to be a helpful tool for indoor gardening.

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