---
title: "hi! i’m new to plants, and i bought a basil and mint plant. i water…"
description: "hi! i’m new to plants, and i bought a basil and mint plant. i water them regularly, and sit them next to my window each day so they have enough sunlight.…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/dyVigIkjjAYAVL1yagSsCP"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Ella"
published: "2026-08-29T23:58:52.388111Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/b3nv2MV1JSRl7OzrcxswGX6w1cOZ8QWoZBen7jvlweg/bXivYnZXRcaXJo2EN4nksg.webp?size=large"
---

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# hi! i’m new to plants, and i bought a basil and mint plant. i water…

_Posted by Ella on 2026-08-29_

hi! i’m new to plants, and i bought a basil and mint plant. i water them regularly, and sit them next to my window each day so they have enough sunlight. somehow they still wilt and die!! anyone have tips or tricks?

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/b3nv2MV1JSRl7OzrcxswGX6w1cOZ8QWoZBen7jvlweg/bXivYnZXRcaXJo2EN4nksg.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/b3nv2MV1JSRl7OzrcxswGX6w1cOZ8QWoZBen7jvlweg/UHbfiVrETkGP_7SpqnvP6A.webp?size=large)

## 8 comments

### Pippin Took commented on 2026-08-30

Where did you buy them and did you transplant them?

#### Ella replied on 2026-08-30

i bought them at trader joe’s about a week ago haven’t taken them out of the original pots yet but debating whether i should

### Pippin Took commented on 2026-08-30

Whenever I got herbs they always died on me until I transplanted and sometimes separated them

### Waspinator commented on 2026-08-30

Most herbs are from the Mediterranean area, so they prefer relatively poor quality soil. Mix some perlite and grit/small gravel into their soil to give them extra drainage

### Eveenala commented on 2026-08-30

That soil looks really dry. You may be watering the plants too fast and not giving the soil enough time to absorb the water. Give them a good soak every few days until they perk up? Just don’t have them sitting in water for more than 15 minutes.

### Cris commented on 2026-08-30

Basil does not like direct sun. I find keeping them in the shade keeps them alive longer.

### Light Green Thumb commented on 2026-08-30

I have 3 mint plants thriving. I would poke some air holes in the soil with a chopstick and let them dry out. Might even set them outside for a bit for some fresh air. Elevated it so the drain hole isn’t stopped up. Mint is a hardy and aggressive plant. It doesn’t need water all of the time. I neglect mine until they start looking a little down. That’s when a good water perks them back up, usually overnight

### Nikiller commented on 2026-08-30

The soil those store bought herbs come in is usually terrible for non-greenhouse conditions. They probably have issues retaining moisture and are out of nutrients in the soil. Use a fertilizer with a high N, low P, and high K on the NPK numbers to help them restore the roots and foliage. I’d also repot them into something slightly larger, maybe 1-2 inches larger, and use a moisture retentive well draining soil mix.

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