My basil plant grows constantly
The more you snip basil, the more it will grow(Image: Getty)
There is something deeply rewarding about cultivating your own herbs, particularly when supermarket plants cost only around £1. Many people discover that these pots quickly perish, something I used to experience myself. However, it turns out the issue is not the plant at all, but rather the way it has been packaged.
Supermarket basil has a notorious reputation for being unreliable, though not because it’s been grown poorly. In reality, it is quite the opposite. Each pot typically contains dozens of young basil seedlings packed together, all fighting for the same limited soil, water and nutrients.
When left in the small pot it arrived in, the plant rapidly depletes its resources, which explains why they tend to wilt so quickly.
The straightforward solution is to divide them up.
When I brought my basil plant home, I carefully removed it from its pot and gently teased the root ball apart.
By splitting them into smaller clusters and transferring them into individual pots with fresh compost, each group immediately had the space to breathe and develop properly.
I separated the plant when I first bought it(Image: Sophie Harris)
Within days, they revived, and within weeks, they were flourishing.
I even ended up with sufficient basil plants to share with family and friends, reports the Express.
Basil, of all herbs, proves incredibly gratifying, as the more you pick from it, the more it branches out and develops a bushier form.
I now maintain a consistent supply of basil, both on my kitchen windowsill and in the garden, to enhance meals.
Herbs prove remarkably forgiving, and if you lack any outdoor space, a simple windowsill will suffice.
A sensible guideline for most herbs is to water them approximately once a week.
During periods of intense heat or drought, they may require watering twice weekly.
It is advisable to water them during the cooler morning hours to prevent evaporation and ensure thorough root penetration.
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