"Every cook-turned-novice-gardener starts with the dream of plucking fresh basil whenever they need it, but quickly runs into all the mysterious difficulties of growing fresh herbs. Because it's the type of ingredient where you often only need a little bit at a time, basil is a perfect choice for starting your very own herb garden. However, people who are beginners to growing basil usually run into an issue where the plant looks fine, only it grows very slowly or produces small, barely-usable leaves."
"If you're committed to following all the essential steps for growing healthy basil all year round, you'll find the pot makes a world of difference in numerous ways. Basil plants need space for their root systems to develop, or else the plant won't grow to its fullest. If you are planting your herb in a pot, Jarvis shares that the absolute minimum size should be six inches in diameter - even bigger is better."
Basil requires room for root systems to develop; restricted roots cause slow growth and small leaves. A pot of at least six inches in diameter is the minimum; larger pots are better. When planting multiple herbs or basil plants, provide at least four inches between plants and a minimum soil depth of four inches. Larger pots improve drainage, reduce sogginess, and distribute moisture more evenly. Hearty basil plants develop stronger stems that resist stress and are easier to care for. With sufficient pot size, spacing, depth, and proper care, basil can grow to at least a foot tall.
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