Supermarket basil keeps dying? Learn the real reason and how to grow long-lasting, bushy basil at home with expert tips from DH Garden Centre in Vancouver.
The Familiar Basil Tragedy
You bring home a fresh pot of basil from the supermarket.
It looks lush. It smells incredible. For a brief moment, you believe this is the start of your “I cook with fresh herbs” era.
And then, by Thursday, it’s dead.
You watered it.
You put it on the windowsill.
You did everything you thought you were supposed to do.
At DH Garden Centre, we hear this story every season. And here’s the truth most people never get told:
Supermarket basil is designed to fail.
Not because you’re bad at plants.
Not because basil is difficult.
But because that pot was never meant to live long-term.
The Dirty Secret About Supermarket Basil
The biggest surprise for most gardeners is this:
That basil pot is not one plant.
It is usually 20 to 30 basil seedlings crammed into a single tiny pot. They are packed tightly so the plant looks full and attractive on a shelf, not because it’s healthy.
Those seedlings are:
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Competing for light
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Competing for nutrients
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Competing for water
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Suffocating at the roots
What you’re buying is a short-term display, not a sustainable plant.
Supermarkets are not selling you a growing basil journey. They’re selling you a garnish for tonight’s dinner.
Why Basil Dies So Quickly Indoors
Once that pot comes home, the decline begins immediately.
The root system is a solid mat with no airflow.
The soil stays wet for too long.
The plants exhaust themselves trying to survive.
Within days:
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Leaves droop
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Stems stretch
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Growth stalls
Eventually, rot and stress finish the job.
The good news?
This problem is completely fixable.
Step One: Separate the Basil (Yes, All of It)
If you want basil that thrives, the first step is dramatic but necessary.
You must take the entire pot apart.
Remove the plant from its container and gently tease the root mass apart. You will see just how crowded it is. Don’t worry about breaking a few roots. Basil is far tougher than it looks.
Your goal is:
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One seedling per pot
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Not two
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Not three
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One
This single step is the biggest difference between basil that dies and basil that grows for months.
Pot Size and Drainage Matter More Than You Think
Each basil seedling needs its own pot, but not an oversized one.
A container roughly the size of the original pot is perfect, as long as it has drainage holes.
No drainage equals:
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Constant wet soil
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Root rot
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Fungus gnats
At garden centres in Vancouver, drainage is one of the most overlooked basics we see new gardeners miss.
The Best Soil for Indoor Basil
Indoor basil needs soil that:
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Holds moisture without staying wet
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Drains freely
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Allows air to reach the roots
We recommend a light mix such as:
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Coconut coir
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Perlite
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High-quality indoor potting mix
This helps prevent fungus gnats and keeps roots healthy.
Light: The Number One Factor for Basil Success
Basil is not a low-light plant.
It is a sun lover.
To thrive, basil needs:
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At least 6 hours of direct light daily
South-facing windows are ideal.
East and west windows can work.
North-facing windows usually fail.
If natural light is limited, a small grow light makes an enormous difference. Consistent light keeps basil compact, leafy, and flavorful.
Temperature: Basil Loves Warmth
Basil is a Mediterranean plant. It hates cold.
Ideal conditions:
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Above 12°C at all times
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Stable temperatures
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No cold drafts
Cold windowsills at night are a common killer. If your basil slows down or sulks, temperature is often the cause.
Watering Basil the Right Way
Basil likes consistent moisture, but it hates soggy soil.
Key rules:
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Water thoroughly when soil starts to dry
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Never let the pot sit in water
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Avoid watering on a rigid schedule
Check the soil, not the calendar.
Fast-growing basil in bright light will drink more. Slower-growing basil in lower light needs less.
Fertilizing for Continuous Growth
Basil grows quickly and uses nutrients fast.
To keep it productive:
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Use a balanced liquid fertilizer
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Feed lightly but regularly
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Avoid overfeeding
Too much fertilizer leads to:
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Bitter leaves
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Soft growth
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Increased pest problems
At DH Garden Centre, we always recommend moderation over force-feeding.
Pruning: The Secret to Bushy Basil
Most people kill basil through harvesting.
Picking individual leaves leads to:
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Tall, leggy plants
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Weak regrowth
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Eventual decline
Basil must be pruned, not picked.
When your basil has two or more leaf pairs:
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Cut the stem just above a leaf node
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This forces two new branches to grow
Repeat this process regularly and your basil will become dense, bushy, and highly productive.
Propagating Basil for Endless Harvests
Every pruning gives you a bonus.
Those cuttings can become new plants.
Simply:
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Remove lower leaves
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Place the cutting in water
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Keep it in bright, indirect light
Roots form in about a week. Once established, pot them up and repeat the cycle.
This is how gardeners turn one basil plant into many.
Common Mistakes That Kill Basil
At garden centres in Vancouver, we see these mistakes constantly:
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Leaving all seedlings in one pot
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Not enough light
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Cold nighttime temperatures
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Poor drainage
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Harvesting incorrectly
Fixing just one of these helps. Fixing all of them transforms the plant.
Is This True for Other Supermarket Herbs?
Yes.
Coriander, parsley, mint, and others are sold the same way. They look great short-term and collapse quickly unless separated and replanted.
Why DH Garden Centre Encourages Growing Herbs Properly
We believe herbs should:
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Last for months
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Improve your cooking
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Be enjoyable to grow
With the right setup, basil becomes one of the most rewarding plants you can grow indoors or outdoors in Vancouver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep supermarket basil alive without repotting?
Rarely. Overcrowding almost always kills it.
Does basil grow better indoors or outdoors?
Outdoors in warm weather, indoors with strong light.
How often should I prune basil?
Every time it produces two new leaf sets.
Why are my basil leaves small?
Usually insufficient light or nutrients.
Final Thoughts: Basil Is Not Difficult
Basil doesn’t die because it’s fussy.
It dies because it’s misunderstood.
Once you:
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Separate the seedlings
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Provide proper light
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Prune correctly
You’ll have basil for months, not days.
Visit DH Garden Centre, your trusted garden centre in Vancouver, for:
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Herb-friendly soil mixes
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Grow lights
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Expert advice for indoor and outdoor herbs
Grow smarter. Cook better.
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