Supermarket basil plants 'can be saved' and thrive says council expert

Supermarket basil plants 'can be saved' and thrive says council expertThey notoriously die off very fast - and end up in the green waste recycling Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Ben Hurst 14:33, Fri, Jun 5, 2026 Updated: 14:33, Fri, Jun 5, 2026 Supermarket basil is notoriously hard to keep alive (Image: Getty)A local authority has issued advice on how to keep supermarket basil plants alive - because so many undoubtedly show up in garden waste after dying very quicly. Supermarket basil plants die quickly because the pots contain 20 to 30 tiny seedlings densely packed together for a lush, appealing look, experts have said. window.scriptsToLoad.push({url:'https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=118222&vp_content=plembed3a6btjknzwqh&cbuster=%%CACHEBUSTER%%&playerApiId=v118222',triggeredBy:'tcfLoaded',delay:1500,containerId:'ovp-primis',title:"Primis player",beforeLoad:()=>{window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v118222"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}})},}) This extreme overcrowding causes the plants to rapidly suffocate, starve for nutrients, and run out of water. Warwickshire Recycles said: “Fresh basil provides antioxidants that help protect cells, along with anti-inflammatory properties that support immune and heart health. It also supplies vitamins A, K, and C, aiding vision, skin health, and blood clotting, while its natural compounds can support digestion and offer mild antibacterial benefits.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Get gardening news, tips and inspiration plus selected offers and competitions Subscribe Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscri...