First, you must understand that I am not dead; I am dormant. As a Mediterranean herb, I am genetically programmed to slow my growth significantly during the cooler, shorter days of winter. My metabolism drops, and I require far less water and no fertilizer. This period of rest is crucial for my long-term health. Attempting to force me to grow vigorously indoors will only lead to weak, leggy growth and likely make me susceptible to pests. Please respect my need for a seasonal break.
While I am resting, I still have a non-negotiable requirement: maximum sunlight. My native home is a sun-drenched hillside, so I need to be placed in your brightest possible window, ideally a south-facing one. I need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to remain healthy. Without it, my stems will become long, weak, and spindly as I desperately stretch toward any light source, and my leaves will lose their potent aroma and flavor. If your home is particularly dark, consider supplementing with a grow light placed a few inches above my foliage for 12-14 hours a day.
This is the greatest threat to my survival indoors. My roots are highly susceptible to rot in cool, wet soil. Since my growth has slowed, my water consumption has plummeted. You must allow my soil to dry out almost completely between waterings. Test the soil by sticking your finger two inches deep. If it feels dry, it is safe to give me a thorough drink, ensuring excess water drains freely from the pot's bottom. Never let me sit in a saucer of water. Yellowing, wilting leaves are often a sign of too much water, not too little.
Your warm, dry indoor air is a challenge for me. While I dislike wet feet, I also suffer in the low humidity created by heating systems. This arid environment is ideal for spider mites, tiny pests that love to suck the sap from my leaves. Please keep me far away from heat vents, radiators, and fireplaces. The blast of hot air will desiccate me. You can increase humidity around me by placing my pot on a pebble tray filled with water (ensure the pot is not sitting in the water) or by grouping me with other plants.
When the danger of frost has passed in spring, you cannot simply move me back outside. After a season in the protected indoor environment, the full sun and wind would shock me. I need a gradual transition, a process called hardening off. Over 7-10 days, please place me outdoors in a sheltered, partially shaded spot for a few hours each day, gradually increasing the time and exposure to direct sun. This allows me to rebuild my protective tissues and adapt to the harsher outdoor conditions without going into shock.
