Can supermarket herbs be transplanted?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Transplanting supermarket herbs into containers usually fails because they are grown in greenhouses, where they develop dense, vigorous roots designed for fast production, which can lead to thuggish behavior. When pulled apart and potted, they are often too stressed and under pressure, and will sometimes collapse even if treated gently and tried to the end.
Root System Issues
- Problem: Overcrowded roots compete fiercely for nutrients
- Evidence: Tangled mats resist separation without damage
- Outcome: Transplant shock stunts growth permanently
Environmental Shock
- Problem: Sudden shift from humid greenhouse to dry homes
- Evidence: Leaves wilt within hours of purchase
- Outcome: Inability to regulate moisture loss
Disease Vulnerability
- Problem: Weak immunity from intensive cultivation
- Evidence: White mold or fungus gnats appear quickly
- Outcome: Contamination spreads to other plants
Should you contemplate a rescue transplantation, accomplish it by soaking the root balls in a bucket of water and delicately teasing apart the roots. Carefully trim any damaged parts and transplant them into a high-quality potting mix. For the first two weeks, keep the plants in bright, indirect light, then gradually introduce them to full sunlight.
Nursery seedlings for reliable results. These seedlings develop stronger roots in individual cells and adapt much more quickly to life in containers. Choose compact green plants with no leggy tending, yellowing leaves, or visible insects, and your success rate skyrockets.
Put seeds in starter trays and give them a seedish sort of planting medium. Basil and chives sprout quickly inside. Let your seedlings acclimate to life outdoors before planting them outside; they will adapt to changes more effectively if they've been gradually acclimated. My basil is always a punch above what I can get at the store.
Be sure to practice gradual acclimation when moving any transplants outdoors. Start with one hour a day, gradually increasing the time until the space is in a sunny spot, preferably over two weeks. Protect them from the wind and the most intense midday sun until they are acclimated, both when moving them outdoors and in your growing practices. Your herbs will be the better for it, establishing greater defenses against any future stress.
Read the full article: 10 Best Herbs for Container Gardening Success
