Water crystals are a great help here in South for container gardening. i mix just a spoonfil or so into root area of containers when i pot up a new container. I do this especially for coleus and basil, i grow both of these. i think they are in the same family and both are water loving. coleus are not in full sun, they are on porch with morning sun and mostly shade afternoon. even when it gets into 90s I still can get away with once a day watering thanks to water crystals. a tiny bag is $7-$11 but it lasts me a few years since you don't need to use a lot.
