How To Grow Supermarket Basil

You can grow supermarket basil successfully, but it requires a bit of know-how.

That little pot of basil from the grocery store is actually a cluster of many seedlings crammed together.

It’s not one plant, but dozens competing for space and water.

Because of this, supermarket basil often wilts and dies within days of bringing it home.

The good news is that with a few simple steps, you can grow supermarket basil into a lush, thriving plant.

In this post, we’ll cover how to grow supermarket basil, from the initial repotting to harvesting tips and everything in between.

Let’s dig in.

Why You Can Grow Supermarket Basil

You can grow supermarket basil easily if you understand why it struggles in the first place.

The main issue is that the pot is overcrowded with seedlings.

Each tiny basil plant is fighting for the same soil, nutrients, and moisture.

When you grow supermarket basil, you need to separate these seedlings to give each one room to breathe.

Another reason supermarket basil dies is that it’s often grown in a peat-based mix that dries out very quickly.

This soil can become hydrophobic, meaning it repels water instead of absorbing it.

So when you try to water it, the water just runs off the surface.

To grow supermarket basil, you must address this watering issue right away.

Plus, supermarket basil is usually grown in a greenhouse with perfect humidity and light.

That’s a shock when it moves to your kitchen windowsill.

But don’t worry, I’m going to walk you through how to grow supermarket basil so it doesn’t just survive, it thrives.

Steps to Grow Supermarket Basil Successfully

Here are the exact steps to grow supermarket basil from the moment you bring it home.

1. Water Thoroughly Before Anything Else

The first thing you should do is give your supermarket basil a deep watering.

Place the entire pot in a sink or bowl of water.

Let it sit for about 15 minutes so the soil can soak up water from the bottom.

This rehydrates the peat-based mix and softens the roots.

Once the top of the soil feels moist, you’re ready for the next step.

This simple act makes it much easier to grow supermarket basil because the roots won’t break as much during transplanting.

2. Separate the Seedlings

Now you need to gently tease apart those individual seedlings.

Turn the pot upside down and squeeze the sides to loosen the root ball.

Then, with your fingers, carefully pull the clump apart into smaller sections.

You can even separate them into single seedlings, but that takes patience.

If you want to grow supermarket basil with less fuss, split the clump into groups of 3-4 seedlings.

Each group will become a bushy plant if you pinch them correctly later.

Be gentle with the roots, but don’t worry if a few snap.

Basil is resilient and will recover.

3. Pot Up Your Basil

Once separated, plant each section into its own pot.

Use pots that are at least 4-6 inches in diameter with drainage holes.

Fill the pots with fresh, well-draining potting soil.

Make a small hole in the center, place the basil cluster in, and firm the soil around it.

Water the newly potted basil gently to settle the soil.

This step is crucial when you grow supermarket basil because fresh soil provides the nutrients the old mix has lost.

It also gives the roots space to spread out and grow strong.

4. Find the Perfect Spot for Growing

To grow supermarket basil successfully, you need to place it in the right location.

Basil loves sunlight and warmth.

Put it on a sunny windowsill that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.

A south-facing window is usually ideal.

If you don’t have enough natural light, you can use a grow light.

Keep the temperature between 65-85°F (18-29°C).

Avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.

When you grow supermarket basil indoors, it’s also a good idea to rotate the pot every few days.

This helps the plant grow evenly instead of leaning toward the light.

5. Water Consistently, Don’t Overwater

Watering is where most people fail when they try to grow supermarket basil.

Basil likes consistently moist soil, but it hates sitting in water.

Check the top inch of soil with your finger.

If it feels dry, it’s time to water.

Water slowly until it drains out of the bottom of the pot.

Then, empty the saucer so the pot isn’t sitting in standing water.

Using room-temperature water is better than icy cold water from the tap.

Remember, the old supermarket basil soil dried out fast, so you might need to water more often at first.

But after repotting, the fresh soil holds moisture much better.

6. Pinch and Prune for Bushy Growth

One of the best tips to grow supermarket basil is to pinch off the leaves.

Once your plant has a few sets of true leaves, pinch off the top set.

This forces the plant to branch out and grow two new stems instead of one.

Keep doing this to encourage a fuller, bushier plant.

When you see flower buds forming, pinch them off immediately.

Flowering signals the plant to stop producing leaves and focus on seeds.

By removing flowers, you ensure a longer harvest of delicious basil leaves.

Regular pruning is the secret to a productive basil plant.

7. Fertilize Lightly

To grow supermarket basil into a big plant, it needs a little food.

About 2-4 weeks after repotting, start feeding your basil with a diluted liquid fertilizer.

Use a balanced fertilizer, like a 10-10-10, once every 4-6 weeks.

Don’t overdo it, too much fertilizer can reduce the flavor of the leaves.

Organic options like compost tea or fish emulsion also work great.

When you grow supermarket basil, feeding it well ensures it has the energy for continuous leaf production.

Common Mistakes When You Grow Supermarket Basil

Even if you follow all the steps, you might run into a few issues.

Here’s what to avoid when trying to grow supermarket basil.

1. Keeping the Original Pot

Leaving the basil in its original small pot is a death sentence.

There’s not enough soil to support the plant’s growth.

Repotting is non-negotiable if you want to grow supermarket basil successfully.

2. Watering Too Much or Too Little

The original soil is tricky, it dries out fast but also drowns the roots if overwatered.

Inconsistent watering causes wilting and leaf drop.

Always check the soil moisture before watering.

3. Not Providing Enough Light

Basil that doesn’t get enough light becomes leggy and pale.

It stretches toward the sun and loses its flavor.

If you can’t provide enough sunlight, invest in a decent grow light.

So, How Do You Grow Supermarket Basil?

You can grow supermarket basil by repotting, separating the seedlings, and giving it the right conditions.

The process isn’t difficult once you know what the plant needs.

Remember to water deeply at first, then repot into fresh soil.

Give it plenty of sunshine, consistent moisture, and regular pinching.

Avoid the common mistakes of keeping it in the original pot or overwatering.

With a little effort, your supermarket basil will reward you with months of fragrant, fresh leaves.

You’ll never have to buy another pot of basil again.

Now you can enjoy endless harvests right from your own windowsill.