Looking after basil plant

[Poppetchops]

I have brought a basil plant back from Crete and I'm wondering how I can help it survive inside the house until next year. It is a very healthy, sturdy plant with a woody stem, lots of leaves and is more like a small bush. It has coped so far with the drop in temperature although one or two leaves have turned paler. I am keeping its soil moist. Would it benefit from having a cutting taken off it and/or re-potting ?

[gingejbee]

Normally, a basil plant should be kept in a warm, sunny location with no draughts. The soil should be allowed to dry out so that the leaves start to wilt slightly before watering. Keeping it moist isn't a good idea - think about conditions in Crete!

[Clanad]

Basil is one of the toughest herbs to overwinter... at least in my experience here in the U.S.. The slightest draft from an open door, even a little too much water (as suggested by gingejbee) or even whispering "fertilizer" will do it in.
Keep it in a sunny area. Not to near a window, if the window gets cold in the winter and assure the soil is not too heavy noe rich... Good luck!

[MichaelZZ]

I used to work with a bloke called Basil Plant.