Splitting and Repotting a Basil Plant from the supermarket

In this blogpost I will illustrate how I am splitting and repotting a basil plant from the supermarket into several different basil plants.

Through splitting a basil plant into multiple smaller plants, I am trying to guarantee a constant source for harvesting one of my favourite herbs for cooking dishes.

Let me show you how to split and repot a basil plant, bought at the supermarket or grocery store, by demonstrating the different steps I recently took to get the job done.

1 – Getting everything ready :

the basil plant, the new plastic pots, my own potting mix and some extra cuttings I have been rooting.

all the things I need to split, repot and replant my basil plant

2 – Drilling holes in the bottom for good drainage:

This step is really important, because basil, like other herbs, hates to have its roots in really wet soil. The roots wil rot and the plant will die. The holes in the bottom will make sure that the water gets drained.

I use plastic soup pots, because this allows me to keep an eye on the moisture level inside the pot and also to watch the development of the root system.

potting herbs in pots with holes, make sure there are holes in the bottom of the pot - how to guide for splitting and repotting a basil plant

3 – The potting soil mix is ready

I will always use my favourite mix of potting soil. You can read all about it here: best soil for herbs – how to make your own potting mix

In this mix you can easily recognise the perlite.

the best potting soil for basil plant herbs my own mix - how to guide for splitting and repotting a basil plant

4 – The basil plant from the store

This is the pot of basil that I bought in the supermarket two weeks ago, I kept it on the window sill and in my growing spot with grow lights the last two weeks. I was especially paying attention not to overwater the plant.

the basil plant I recently bought to split and repot - how to guide for splitting and repotting a basil plant

5 – Be careful for the root system

Hold the plant in one hand and carefully loosen the pot from the roots, and take it off. Try to keep the roots intact as much as possible.

taking the basil plant out of the supermarket pot - how to guide for splitting and repotting a basil plant

6 – Check the root system

The roots of the plant should have a light white color to indicate that they are healthy. Dark and moist roots often indicate that they are rotting. In that case drainage was not sufficient and the plant was overwatered. This root system is still young and looked quite healthy.

a look at the root system of the basil plant to decide where to split it - how to guide for splitting and repotting a basil plant

7 – Decide where to split the roots

Splitting the roots isn’t really hard to do. Although you will always damage some roots, the trick is to pull open the root system with your fingers, paring the basil plant in smaller pieces. Always try to do as little damage to the roots as possible.

looking for a good spot to split the basil plant - how to guide for splitting and repotting a basil plant

8 – Splitting the roots

In this picture I was splitting the root system into two parts.

splitting the basil plant carefully with the fingers by feeling the roots - how to guide for splitting and repotting a basil plant

And next I splitted each half a second time in two. Depending on the size of the basil plant and the number of separate plants you want, you can continue splitting the basil plant. In this example I stopped when I had four parts.

splitting the basil plant in four pieces - how to guide for splitting and repotting a basil plant

9 – Preparing for repotting the basil plants

Each plastic pot is filled with the potting soil mix. Because the soil is really dry, I added a little bit of water to handle the soil easier. With a stick I made a planting hole in the potting mix, the spot where the parts of the basil plant will get planted in.

filling the basil plant pots with soil and creating a planting hole - how to guide for splitting and repotting a basil plant

10 – Replanting the basil plant

After placing the basil plant in the plant hole, add planting soil into the pot and around the stems of the plant just up to the right height.

after repotting a basil plant - how to guide for splitting and repotting a basil plant

11 – Add water

The next step is to add water to the pot. I have put the pots in the sink filled with water so the pots are watered from below, and after a couple of minutes I add a small portion of water on the soil from above. While doing this I tried to avoid to get water on the leaves.

the result of repotting and splitting one basil plant in different plants
another view on the repotted basil plant - how to guide for splitting and repotting a basil plant

12 – The result of repotting from one basil plant

After watering (and allow them to drain) the pots are ready to be moved to their growing spots.

the final result of the repotting plenty of basil plants - how to guide for splitting and repotting a basil plant
a top view on my split and repotted basil plants - how to guide for splitting and repotting a basil plant

Ready for growing new big basil plants

In my growing spot with the grow light. In this picture you can also see the mint cuttings that I have been rooting the last couple of weeks.

Now, the next step is to take care of my newbies: light, temperature and (just) watering. You can read how it went soon on this blog.

the split and repotted basil plants on their growing spot - how to guide for splitting and repotting a basil plant

Have you ever tried this yourself?

Leave us a comment and share your experiences below

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