Basil does best at room temperature. Trim the bottoms of the stems (leave the roots attached, if present) and place the stalks in a few inches of water in a sturdy tall container, ―as you would a bunch of flowers. Keep stems in water or they will discolor if kept in refrigerator for 10 days. Keep out of sunlight. Use basil, like all fresh herbs, as soon as possible. It will last two to four days. Basil needs a little extra care during washing, since it bruises easily.