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The plants you buy from the supermarket are really intended for using within a week or two, not for growing on. They are far too crowded in the pots to survive very long.
Basil is a Mediterranean herb, it will only grow outside in UK in the warm south, and then only in summer. You cannot buy any herb plant in the supermarket and put it straight outside, or even in an unheated greenhouse, it needs to be "hardened off" first, that is gradually accostomed to lower temperatures.
If you want to grow Basil sucessfully this is what to do.... Plant a few (3 or 4) seeds in a very small pot, or use the plug cells they have at the garden centre. Use a good multipurpose compost, plant them about 5mm deep and cover with silver sand. Germinate at around 15 degrees C. Once they germinate place in a warm and light spot, water very sparingly, VERY sparingly.
Once the plants are big enough move on into 3" pots and keep on a light windowsill, water VERY sparingly. Pinch off the tops to use and the plants will bush out. About 6 weeks later plant some more seeds, that way you will always have a good supply. How many plants you need at one time will depend on how much basil you use.
It really is very easy.
