I've never gotten it through an entire winter inside, but my house also is pretty cold. The fact that I've gotten it to live at least a little makes me think someone with a warmer house :) could be more successful.

Thanks for the info. My house is also cold but I have it on the windowsill over a heat vent. I'm hoping that will suffice. Basil is very expensive to buy here, so I guess I'll have to grow lots in the summer and freeze it for next winter.

You can grow basil inside on a windowsill. My sister-in-law in England does it.

Not sure if this helps - I started some from seed in December and it's doing fine indoors. I also have it on the windowsill in full sun. Basil loves heat and humidity, so your spot over the heat vent is probably a good idea.

Watch the water pretty carefully. Hot air will dry plants out very quickly.

I'd try starting it from seed if I were you. I grew a bunch last summer and it was pretty easy to get it going from seed. Plus you'll avoid the shock of moving a plant from one growing condition to another. If it starts its life on your windowsill it will be acclimated to live there.

Agreed. I just wintersowed some basil and expect to have 3 hefty clumps of it this summer to interplant with my tomatoes -- and all for the cost of one 75 cent packet of seed.

Kristin

You can also buy a bunch of basil from the grocery store and root it, either in water or in soil.

As far as indoor basil is concerned, I've found that spicy globe basil (the kind with the tiny leaves) is the best for windowsill culture.

If you're not prissy about these things you can put a pot on the counter in the bathroom.

I have great sucess with growing them in an aquarium so they stay moist. I f you cant do that--have a table top foutain going by them. The water is great for you also. Or have them in a tray with water under them. cathy

Just a thought about bathroom growing: it's a good idea but have it far from the toilet if you're going to eat it. Researchers found that tooth brushes kept on the back of a toilet had e coli on them. Seriously.

Who does this research I have no idea but it was in my newspaper, so there you are. The jobs people have.

E Coli is found on just about everything in a home nomatter what room