How to Rejuvenate Supermarket Pot Herbs

Have you ever bought live pot herbs from the store? 

Usually they look great, but after a week or two they start getting problems.

First the plant droops, then the leaves turn yellow, and then the plant dies.

I used to think that this was just because they were forced.

But then I learnt that supermarkets have to sterilise the soil before they place plants next to food.

That’s not the only problem, of course – the plants are overcrowded, and even if the compost hadn’t been sterilised, there wouldn’t be enough for their overcrowded roots.

Thinking about this led to an experiment, which I’ve repeated a number of times since. I was also reminded of it recently after my wife bought two, rather sad looking, potted herb plants.

Here’s one of them:

Fortunately, there’s a super simple, highly effective and cost effective way to rejuvenate them.

Here’s how to do it: 

• Remove the herbs from the original pot. 
• Put in a new pot with compost. 
• Immediately give a liquid feed. 

The liquid fertiliser is to ensure that the plant roots get access to soluble nutrients immediately. I usually use Baby Bio, but any standard liquid fertiliser should do – just ensure that it is one made for edible plants.

I didn’t have any for this plant, but there was still a little bit of homemade fertiliser in my watering can.

In the past, I’ve used standard potting compost, which works just fine. But if you have access to it, you’ll find a little bit of vermicompost mixed in with the compost works wonders.

(If you are using peat-free compost, try to ensure you choose some with slow release fertiliser added.)

The herbs can look sad to start with, and they often also sag as soon as you have removed the plastic from around the leaves.

But give them a couple of weeks and they usually perk up. 

I’ve taken some before and after photos to demonstrate this:

This has worked for me with multiple herb plants (90% success rate), and with parsley I’ve found the plant can then go on for a year or more. 

Since we’ve started doing this, my wife has also had the courage to buy the wilted plants that supermarkets are selling off for cheap, knowing we’ll have months of use from it for less than the price of a packet of seeds!

Go easy on the fertiliser: The use of fertiliser at the start is to deliver sorely-needed nutrients to a hungry plant. If you’re using good compost, I find the herbs rarely need much additional fertiliser.

Mix in some vermicompost: The slow release of nutrients from vermicompost is perfect for herbs. You don’t need much either – just mix in a little with your regular potting compost.

Learn more: The Magic Of Worm Castings (And How to Use Them)

Use the right pot: Choose a pot which has enough room for the roots to grow, and with good drainage holes. Make sure there is a container or plate placed under the pot to catch excess water – otherwise you will end up with brown stains on your surfaces.

Consider splitting pot herbs up: Supermarket herbs are often crowded together into one pot. While not essential, gently teasing the plants apart and putting them into separate pots can help the plants thrive.

Avoid overwatering: I get best results when I water occasionally but deeply, allowing the top layer of compost to dry before watering again.