From our perspective, our roots are our lifeline. We require a spacious home to stretch out and thrive. Please choose a pot that is wide and deep, at least 8-12 inches across, to accommodate our naturally expansive and sometimes invasive root systems. Most critically, this container must have excellent drainage holes. We despise having our roots sit in stagnant water, as it quickly leads to rot and will ultimately be fatal. The soil you provide is equally important. We prefer a lightweight, well-draining potting mix. A standard potting soil amended with a handful of perlite or vermiculite is perfect. This ensures our roots receive both the moisture and the oxygen we need without becoming waterlogged.
Light is our food, the energy source that fuels our growth and develops the essential oils that give us our signature vibrant aroma and flavor. A bright, sunny windowsill is our preferred restaurant. We need a minimum of 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. A south-facing window is ideal in the Northern Hemisphere. If your windowsill does not provide enough light, you will notice us becoming "leggy"—stretching out with sparse leaves as we desperately search for more sun. In such cases, please consider supplementing with a small grow light placed a few inches above our foliage for 12-14 hours a day to keep us compact, bushy, and full of flavor.
Our relationship with water is one of delicate balance. We enjoy consistently moist soil, but we are not aquatic plants. The best method is to check the top inch of soil with your finger. When it feels dry to the touch, that is your cue to provide a thorough, deep watering until you see water begin to escape from the drainage holes. Then, allow the pot to drain completely. Never let us sit in a saucer of water. The frequency will change with the seasons; we will drink more during hot, sunny periods and less during the cooler, darker winter months. Underwatering will cause our leaves to wilt and crisp, while overwatering will suffocate our roots and cause them to decay.
To you, it may seem like simple harvesting, but to us, it is an essential form of encouragement. Regular pruning is what keeps us from becoming tall, spindly, and unproductive. Always pinch or snip off the top sets of leaves, just above a leaf node (the point where leaves meet the stem). This action signals us to stop growing upwards and instead branch out laterally, creating a denser, bushier plant. Do not be shy! The more you harvest, the more we grow. Regularly removing our flower buds is also crucial. Flowering signals the end of our vegetative growth cycle, causing our leaves to become smaller and less flavorful. By pinching off the buds, you direct all our energy back into producing the lush, aromatic foliage you desire.
We are quite adaptable, but we thrive in the temperatures that you find comfortable, generally between 65-70°F (18-21°C). Please protect us from extreme drafts from air conditioners or heating vents, as sudden temperature fluctuations can cause us stress. While we appreciate humidity, most indoor environments are sufficient. During dry winter months, a occasional light misting can be refreshing and help deter pests like spider mites, who prefer dry conditions. A gentle monthly feeding with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength during our active growing season (spring and summer) will provide the nutrients we need to produce an abundant harvest for you.
