Why EVERY Basil Plant You Buy Dies In 1 Week

About this video

• Video Title: Why EVERY Basil Plant You Buy Dies In 1 Week
• Channel: Sheffield Made Plants
• Speakers: [None explicitly named]
• Duration: 00:10:41

Overview

This video explains why store-bought basil plants often die within a week and provides practical advice on how to successfully grow and maintain basil. The primary reason for their rapid demise is that they are overcrowded with seedlings in a single pot, leading to competition for resources. The video guides viewers on how to separate these seedlings, repot them individually, and care for them to ensure long-term growth and abundant harvests.

Key takeaways

• Overcrowding is the main issue: Supermarket basil pots contain many seedlings (20-30) crammed together, causing them to fight for space, light, and nutrients, leading to their quick death.
• Separate and repot: To save basil, gently separate the seedlings and pot each one individually in a small but adequate pot with drainage holes.
• Pruning encourages bushiness: Instead of picking leaves, prune the growing tips of the basil stems. Cutting just above a leaf node causes two new stems to grow, resulting in a fuller, bushier plant.
• Propagation is easy: Cuttings from pruned basil stems can be easily propagated by placing them in a glass of water until roots form, then potting them up.
• Provide adequate light and warmth: Basil requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily and prefers temperatures above 12°C. Avoid cold drafts and direct heat from radiators.
• Consistent watering is crucial: Basil is thirsty, especially when growing actively. Check the soil regularly and water when it starts to dry out, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged.
• Fertilize for continued growth: Fast-growing basil needs nutrients. Use a general-purpose liquid fertilizer regularly, especially if the plant appears pale or growth slows, but avoid over-fertilizing.