Why do supermarket herb plants die?

Reasons for dying:

Let's get right down to business. Here's why your herb plants from Tesco, Sainsburys, ALDI or wherever don't always stick around for too long after you bring them home.

1. Overcrowded roots:

   Imagine bringing home a basil plant, excited to add fresh flavor to your meals. However, upon closer inspection, you notice the roots tightly packed, with little room to grow. This overcrowding can suffocate the roots, hindering their ability to absorb water and nutrients effectively. As a result, the plant's growth becomes stunted, and it struggles to thrive, ultimately leading to its untimely demise.

2. Poor drainage:

   Or let's say you've got a rosemary plant, eager to infuse your dishes with its aromatic flavor. Unfortunately, the pot it comes in lacks adequate drainage holes at the bottom. Consequently, excess moisture accumulates in the soil, saturating it and leading to waterlogged roots. Without proper drainage, the roots suffocate, and the plant becomes susceptible to root rot—a common ailment that can quickly kill your herb.

3. Inadequate light:

   Got a mint plant? Placing your herb plant on your kitchen windowsill might not always cut it, especially if it's shaded. As days pass, you might notice the leaves losing their luster and drooping. Mint, like many herbs, requires ample sunlight to photosynthesise and produce energy. Without sufficient light, the plant weakens and eventually succumbs to its environment.

4. Inconsistent watering:

   Let's say you bring home a thyme plant, excited to elevate your culinary creations with its earthy flavor. But as you water it, you realize you're unsure of how much water it needs and when to water it. Sometimes you water too much, leaving the soil waterlogged, while other times you forget to water it altogether, causing the soil to dry out. This inconsistency in watering can stress the plant, leading to wilting leaves and root damage. Without a consistent watering schedule, your thyme plant struggles to thrive and may ultimately perish.

5. Lack of nutrients:

   Imagine purchasing a parsley plant, eager to garnish your dishes with its vibrant green leaves. However, the potting soil it comes in lacks essential nutrients for sustained growth. Without regular fertilization, the plant quickly depletes the available nutrients in the soil and becomes malnourished. As a result, its growth slows, and the leaves lose their vigor, signaling nutrient deficiency. Without intervention, your parsley plant may struggle to survive in nutrient-depleted soil.

6. Incorrect temperature:

   Temperature is important, too. In this example, let's say you've purchased a chive plant, excited to sprinkle its delicate onion flavor over your dishes. However, you place it in a spot that experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, such as near a drafty window or next to a heating vent. Chives thrive in moderate temperatures, and exposure to extremes can stress the plant, leading to wilting and leaf loss. Without a stable environment, your chive plant struggles to maintain its health and vitality.

7. Neglecting pruning:

   Imagine bringing home a coriander plant, anticipating its flavours complementing your culinary creations. However, you neglect to prune the plant regularly, allowing it to become leggy and overgrown. Without proper pruning, the plant allocates energy inefficiently, focusing on maintaining its size rather than producing flavorful leaves. Over time, the lack of pruning can lead to reduced vigor and productivity, hastening the plant's decline.

Understanding these common challenges can empower you to provide the care and attention your shop-bought herb plants need to thrive. With a little knowledge and diligence, you can extend their lifespan and enjoy fresh herbs for months to come.

Tips for care:

Now that we've identified the common reasons behind the premature demise of shop-bought herb plants, let's explore some practical tips to help you keep your green companions thriving:

1. Repotting:

   When you bring home a supermarket herb plant, it's often confined to a small pot with limited space for root growth. Consider repotting the plant into a larger container with well-draining soil. This allows the roots to spread out and access essential nutrients more effectively, promoting healthier growth and longevity.

2. Proper drainage:

   Ensure your herb plants are potted in containers with adequate drainage holes at the bottom. This allows excess water to escape freely, preventing waterlogged soil and root rot. If your pot lacks drainage holes, consider drilling some or placing a layer of gravel at the bottom to improve drainage.

3. Light requirements:

   Position your herb plants in a location where they can receive plenty of natural sunlight. Most herbs thrive in full sun, so choose a sunny windowsill or balcony where they can soak up the sunshine. If natural light is limited, consider supplementing with grow lights to provide adequate illumination for healthy growth.

4. Watering schedule:

   Establish a consistent watering schedule for your herb plants, taking into account their individual moisture needs. Check the soil moisture regularly by inserting your finger into the soil up to the first knuckle. Water only when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, avoiding overwatering or underwatering, which can stress the plants.

5. Fertilisation:

   Feed your herb plants with a balanced fertilizer to replenish essential nutrients and promote robust growth. Choose a fertilizer specifically formulated for herbs and follow the instructions for application carefully. Avoid overfertilizing, as excessive nutrients can lead to fertilizer burn and damage the plants.

6. Pest management:

   Keep an eye out for common pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites, which can infest herb plants and cause damage. Regularly inspect the leaves and stems for signs of pest activity, such as holes, webs, or sticky residue. If pests are detected, treat the plants promptly with organic pest control methods such as insecticidal soap or neem oil.

By following these tips for care, you can create a conducive environment for your shop-bought herb plants to thrive. With proper attention and maintenance, you can extend their lifespan and enjoy fresh herbs for months to come.

Case study: mint

Let's make things even simpler with a case study. You've got your mint home from the shops - here's what to do next to avoid the dreaded slow-motion death.

1. Repot it:

   As soon as you bring your mint plant home from the supermarket, it's essential to give it room to grow. Carefully remove the plant from its original container and transplant it into a larger pot with well-draining soil.

2. Add well-draining soil:

   Choose a potting mix specifically designed for herbs or mix your own using equal parts potting soil, perlite, and coarse sand. Well-draining soil prevents water from pooling around the roots, reducing the risk of root rot.

3. Find a well-lit spot:

   Mint plants thrive in bright sunlight, so place your potted mint in a sunny location where it can receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. A south-facing windowsill or balcony is ideal for providing ample sunlight.

4. Water regularly:

   Establish a consistent watering routine for your mint plant, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, typically every 2-3 days depending on environmental conditions.

5. Prune regularly:

   To encourage bushy growth and prevent legginess, prune your mint plant regularly. Pinch off the top growth tips regularly to promote branching and increase leaf production. This also helps to prevent the plant from becoming overly tall and spindly.

6. Harvest frequently:

   Don't be afraid to harvest your mint frequently to encourage new growth and prevent the plant from becoming too woody. Snip off the leaves as needed for culinary use, taking care not to remove more than one-third of the plant's foliage at a time.

7. Watch for pests:

   Keep an eye out for common pests such as aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies, which can infest mint plants and cause damage. Inspect the leaves regularly for signs of pest activity, and treat infestations promptly with organic pest control methods such as insecticidal soap or neem oil.

8. Fertilise occasionally:

   While mint plants don't require heavy fertilisation, you can give them a boost with a balanced fertiliser once every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Choose a fertiliser specifically formulated for herbs and follow the package instructions for application.

TL;DR

TL;DR: Supermarket herb plants often die prematurely due to issues like overcrowded roots, poor drainage, and inadequate light. To keep them thriving, repot into well-draining soil, place in a sunny spot, water consistently, prune regularly, harvest frequently, watch for pests, and fertilize occasionally. For mint plants, start by repotting into a larger container with well-draining soil, place in a sunny spot, water regularly, prune for bushy growth, harvest frequently, watch for pests, and fertilise occasionally. With proper care, you can enjoy a continuous supply of fresh herbs from your home garden.