Here's How to Help a Grocery Store Basil Plant Thrive
There is no end to the joys of having fresh basil nearby. Not only does it smell sharply delicious, but it's also an inspiration in plant form. Just getting a whiff of basil makes me start coming up with dinner ideas. Should I make pesto? Order pizza and pop it on top to make it feel homemade? Throw it in some pasta with chopped tomatoes? The options are endless.
Of course, to have said basil standing by ready to inspire, I first need to keep it alive. If you've struggled to buy fresh basil at the grocery store and help it thrive at home, we just found a hack you've got to try.
How to Keep Grocery Store Basil Healthy
On social media, user Fiona King (@fionamking_ on tiktok) relates to your basil struggles. She says that it used to be her nemesis - until she figured out how to handle it.
@fionamking_ Basil used to be my nemesis Then I cracked it & have never looked back Tips below - Get it planted ASAP in to a much larger pot - The plant can also be separated in to one or two plants - A big saucer & fill it with water! - Do NOT water the soil, only ever keep the saucer topped up - Then leave it - don't touch the plant at all, let it grow - When you do eventually cut it, cut above the leaf node (not individual leaves) - And then cut to encourage more growth & make it more bushy! And that's how I've done it, if you have any other tips/advice pop them in the comments #millenialmum#millennial#tipsandtricks#basil#hack
original sound - Fiona King | Mama Life
Her secrets are simple yet effective. Fiona says the first thing to do is not to dawdle - you want to get it planted ASAP in a much larger pot. Because crowded roots limit growth, the bigger container will encourage a stronger, healthier plant.
If you've got a particularly big bush, you can separate it into two plants if you'd like by gently dividing the root ball.
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Next up, add H20. Make sure your pot has a big saucer-and isn't stationed somewhere where spills would be catastrophic. You want to keep the saucer consistently full of water, but - and this is crucial - do not water the soil. Think of it as giving your basil unlimited drinks, not offering it a shower. This will prevent overwatering the soil surface and reduce rot and fungal issues.
Finally...leave it. As tempting as it may be to break the rules, don't touch the plant, and let it grow.
How to Cut the Leaves
Once your basil plant has flourished, you can return to it and gather your basil. But don't do it willy-nilly.
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King says you'll want to cut above the leaf node, rather than cutting individual leaves. This will encourage more shoots to form from that node, which means more growth - and more basil.
Finally, to keep your plant happy, prune the stems above the nodes regularly. This will stimulate branching, giving you an ever fuller plant.
All we ask? Don't blame us when folks come over to visit, smell your basil, and immediately get hungry. Here's to a very fresh basil summer.
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This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 9:11 AM.