Unfortunately, basil plants  from the supermarket do not last forever if not cared for properly. Within a few weeks of purchase,  most basil plants wilt and die. 

The first thing you need to know when we buy a pot of basil at the supermarket is that  we are not buying a single plant,  but a clump in which many plants are piled up. As these plants grow,  they have little space  between them and  nutrients are scarce  , which causes the plant to soon wither and die.

Basil from the supermarket, like having many seedlings for the price of one: the gardeners’ secret!

Therefore , to ensure that your basil plant  always provides abundant leaves for months,  you must divide the seedlings and transplant them separately into other pots. To avoid damaging the root ball (that is, the roots with the substrate),  cut the weakest plants at the base of the stem  , closest to the ground, with scissors and use them for your kitchen recipes. The ideal is  to keep a maximum of three to four plants,  the strongest of the original plant. But if you want, you can transplant all the plants!

Once you have obtained the strongest seedlings from the original pot, you can  transplant them separately  into four pots of the same size or slightly larger using new soil or substrate.  Water your new basil pots generously  and place them in a  sunny location.  It won’t take long for them to recover and grow. This way,  you can enjoy fresh basil leaves for months.

Many new basil plants grown from stems are sold in the supermarket, gardeners do it!

If you want to have dozens of basil plants without spending a fortune, you can  also use the bunches or already cut stems that  are sold in bags or small containers in the refrigerated section of supermarkets. However, choose the variety with the freshest bunches and in good condition. To make them take root,  simply fill a glass jar  halfway with water (about five fingers is enough) and place the basil stems inside.

If any basil leaves come into contact with the water, remove them to prevent them from rotting. Place the jar  in a sunny window.  You will see that in less than  a week the first roots will appear  and in fifteen days they will be strong enough to  be transplanted into pots.

Likewise,  you can take more and more cuttings from your basil plants as they grow  . Simply cut  off a side branch  (if you want the plant to be taller)  or a top branch  (for a bushier plant).

Finally, remember that basil  loves heat.  Your potted basil will appreciate being grown in a warm, bright and sheltered location. That’s why they look so good in the conservatory or in a sunny window in the kitchen or living room. However, care must be taken  not to give too much water.  Choose a  substrate that drains well  and check before watering the seedlings (preferably in the morning) if it is dry and needs water.

With these little tips,  you will be able to enjoy your fresh basil leaves for months  without spending a fortune. We leave you a  video  on how to transplant lots of basil plants bought in the supermarket into pots!