Basil is one of the easiest herbs to keep alive in your kitchen, to the point it will keep growing even if you forget about it sitting on your window. That being said, basil is a warm weather plant that will suffer if it cannot get enough light, and common for it to wilt in winter if you do not take a few minutes to care for it.
Once the temperature drops below 10C, basil will not be able to photosynthesise properly, to the point its leaves can become dark, mushy and taste absolutely awful. However, Melissa Norris, a homesteader and gardening expert, has shared basil can thrive “no matter how cold your climate is” as long as you move it to a different windowsill. Melissa said: “Find your warmest and sunniest window, usually this is a southern exposure side of the house.”
Where to place basil during winter?
South-facing windows get the most sunlight in British homes, and their windowsills tend to be warmer to keep basil in the comfortable temperature range.
Simply moving basil can help stop it suffering cold stress and ensure it continues to grow firm and green leaves throughout the rest of the season.
Make sure the basil is not pressed against the window, as glass tends to be a lot colder and it is easy to accidentally kill basil if its leaves are touching it.
It can also help to move basil at night during incredibly cold weather, and simply place it on your kitchen counter or table, where it is a lot warmer.
Taking the time to move basil might seem easy, but it is one of the best ways to keep the plant alive and ensure it continues to thrive even in winter.
How to set up basil to keep it healthy in winter
If you are growing basil for the first time, then it can help to take basil out of its pot, as the supermarket ones tend to be too small and can cramp up the roots.
Instead, take a mason jar (preferably about 950ml) and wash it out thoroughly. Make sure it is rinsed and dried, then place the basil inside it.
Add some water, just enough at the bottom of the jar to soak the roots. If you want to be fancy you can also buy some liquid silica at a gardening centre and add a drop to the jar.
Place the mason jar on a southern windowsill in your home, and replace the water every week or two. Your basil should flourish and will soon be ready to harvest for all your tasty recipes.
Melissa said: “Because your plants have been inside a store with very little sunlight, don’t be alarmed if they leaves seem wilted and shrivelled the first few days. Place the plant in the window and wait a week. All but one of mine perked up after some TLC in the sunlight.”
