Basil is one of the most commonly used aromatic plants in cooking. A fundamental ingredient in our culinary tradition, it adds a touch of flavour and aroma to a multitude of different dishes. It may happen that you buy a basil plant in the supermarket, and when you get home it starts to dry out.
The seedlings we buy at the supermarket are “designed” to last a short time, so we soon have to buy another one. But recovering the basil bought at the supermarket and making it last a long time is not impossible, and below we explain how to do it.
Basil is not a plant that requires special care: it is very resistant and adapts well to many different climatic conditions, as long as they are not extreme and it is not subjected to too sudden changes.
Environmental and thermal shock
The basil plant from the supermarket has probably spent many days under artificial light and controlled temperature, and then moved to natural light as soon as you bring it home.
Keep this in mind when choosing where to place the seedling. Our advice is to keep it indoors for a few days, perhaps near a window, to allow the plant to readjust to natural light without suffering a “shock” that could permanently damage it.
Incorrect watering
Basil plants love moisture and need to be kept constantly hydrated. Seedlings on display at the grocery store may have received less water than they should have.
As soon as you bring it home, water it frequently, but avoid using too much water at once. If the soil is too dry, it is best to rehydrate it little by little.
Choosing the right floor
If you decide to transplant basil from the supermarket, it is important to choose a soil that is sufficiently fertile. Do not compact it too much or weigh it down.
To fertilize basil, choose a liquid product rich in nitrogen.
Other tips to increase the survival of supermarket basil
Remove the white inflorescences that appear during the hot months. Removing the flowers will give the plant more energy to survive.
Do not expose the basil plant to direct sunlight to avoid burning the leaves.
Moisten basil leaves when it gets too hot. This simple trick helps basil stay cooler and tolerate heat better.