How to Grow Grocery Store Basil
Potted grocery store basil plants are appealing for many reasons. With their lush foliage, one can’t help but begin to daydream about their use in his/her favorite recipes. However, though plants within these pots might look healthy and vibrant, all may not be what it seems. Upon closer inspection, gardeners will quickly notice that the pot actually contains several densely packed plants. Under these cramped conditions, it’s highly unlikely that the basil will continue to thrive once it has arrived home. By removing the grocery store basil plant from the pot and gently easing the roots apart, growers are able to reap the rewards of several new basil plants, as well as improve the overall health of each plant. To repot grocery store basil, select small containers and fill them with a high-quality potting mix. Place the basil’s roots into the pot and gently backfill it with soil. Water the container well and move it outdoors into a sheltered location or windowsill if conditions are not ideal. Continue watering the new planting until growth resumes and the plant becomes well-established. Like many herbs, the more frequently basil is pinched or cut, the more leaves that will be produced. Once grown to a large enough size, store-bought basil can also be used to take cuttings. Propagating supermarket basil through cuttings is a relatively simple process. New cuttings can be placed into containers filled with soil, or simply allowed to root in a vessel filled with clean water. Regardless of the technique, newly rooted basil plants will grow quickly and further supply growers with the freshest garden basil.
