Herb plants can be for immediate use to cut cooking herbs as-fresh-as-it-gets from the plant. If you prefer to keep your plant growing, the plant care tips below may be helpful. 

Overwatering and lack of enough bright light are the two most common problems affecting plant growth.

- DO NOT add more water than the plant can absorb. Plants should be kept evenly and lightly moist, not saturated.

- DO NOT allow plant to sit in excess runoff water. It can inhibit air circulation which allows the plant to breathe. Leaves may become wilted or look dry when the plant has actually drowned from too much water and the roots are unable to properly take up water and air. 

- Remember that plants have been on a journey from our greenhouses to your store to you. Allow them to settle in and acclimate to your environment before repotting into a larger container to allow more room for root growth.

- The pot you choose should have a drain hole(s) to allow excess water to drain away from the roots. Use a readily available basic potting soil mix. Handle the root ball gently and do not pack down soil too hard in the new pot as this can also damage roots. Press down gently on the potting soil around the plant to remove air pockets.

- Plants will also need nutrition - your choice of houseplant fertilizer, either organic or conventional, applied based on package directions.

- Place your plants in a sunny window or in warmer weather on a sunny deck or patio. They can also be planted in your garden in the warmer months if you wish.

- Herbs for cooking should be cut or pinched from the top of the plant. This will encourage branching and new growth at the cut location. Do not cut most or all of the leaves from the plant stems at one time if you want to keep it growing. Cut some and then allow time for regrowth until the plant gets larger and fuller.

Tips for COLD WEATHER

- While most herbs can tolerate somewhat cooler temperatures, BASIL is tender. Exposure to cold drafts or temperatures below 45 to 50 degrees for any length of time can produce cold damage.

- Do not leave plants in a cold, unheated space.

- Try to keep all plants at an even temperature - condensation caused by large temperature changes can also be damaging to plant leaves.

- Keep in mind that windows can magnify the intensity of direct sun and also transmit cold from low outdoor temperatures, so keep plants back a bit from the glass.