From my perspective, a "sunny windowsill" is my entire world. I crave bright, direct light for at least 6-8 hours a day. A south-facing window is my paradise. This abundant sunlight is my food factory; it fuels the process of photosynthesis, allowing me to produce the sugars I need to grow strong and manufacture the potent essential oils that give me my signature aroma and flavor. Without enough light, my stems will become long, weak, and leggy as I desperately stretch toward the light source, and my leaves will be pale and lackluster in taste. Please don't put me in a dim corner; I will languish there.
My relationship with water is simple: I prefer to be on the drier side. In my native Mediterranean hills, I am accustomed to well-drained, rocky soil and periods of drought. Please plant me in a pot with excellent drainage holes and a lightweight, fast-draining potting mix, perhaps with a little sand or perlite mixed in. The absolute worst thing you can do is let my roots sit in soggy soil; they will quickly rot, and I will perish. The best way to water me is to check the soil first. Stick your finger about an inch down—if it feels dry, it's time for a thorough drink. Water me until it runs out of the drainage hole, then empty the saucer beneath me. Wait until I am almost completely dry before watering again.
While I don't need a massive pot, I do appreciate having some room for my roots to explore and establish a strong foundation. A pot that is 6-8 inches in diameter is a comfortable starter home for me. As I grow, you might notice I become pot-bound. If my growth seems stunted or my roots are circling the top of the soil, it may be time to gently repot me into a container just one size larger. This gives my root system fresh, nutrient-rich soil to invigorate my growth. A cramped pot stresses me, but an excessively large one holds too much moisture and can lead to the root rot I fear.
I am not a heavy feeder. In fact, too much fertilizer, especially high-nitrogen varieties, will encourage me to produce lots of soft, leafy growth at the expense of my flavorful oils. My taste will become diluted and weak. If you wish to feed me, a light application of a balanced, organic fertilizer or a compost tea diluted to half-strength once at the beginning of the growing season (spring) is more than sufficient. My flavor is best when I grow a little tough, so think of sparse nutrients as a way to concentrate my delicious essence.
When you wish to harvest my leaves, please do so thoughtfully. Instead of plucking individual leaves from the top, use clean, sharp scissors to snip entire stems right above a set of leaves. This method encourages me to branch out and become bushier, producing two new stems from the point where you cut. Never harvest more than one-third of my total growth at one time. This allows me to recover quickly and continue thriving. Regular harvesting actually stimulates my growth and prevents me from becoming woody and leggy.
