From down here in the soil, the most common crisis is about water and air. My roots need to breathe! If I'm sitting in heavy, soggy, compacted soil that never dries out, my roots are essentially drowning. They can't access oxygen, they begin to rot, and they certainly can't transport the water and nutrients my upper parts need to grow. Conversely, if the soil is bone dry and dusty for too long, my roots shrivel and can't drink. You might see the leaves wilt, but the real damage is happening out of sight. I need well-draining soil that holds moisture but never becomes waterlogged.
You might think I look nice on that shady kitchen windowsill, but I am a child of the Mediterranean sun! I need intense, direct light for at least 6-8 hours a day to perform photosynthesis efficiently. This is how I create my own food and energy. Without enough light, my growth grinds to a halt as I enter survival mode. I become leggy, stretching weakly towards any light source, and my leaves will be small and pale. I also crave warmth. Cold drafts, consistently cool temperatures below 60°F (15°C), or a sudden frost will shock my system and tell me it's not the time to grow.
Look at the pot you've put me in. Can you see my roots circling tightly around the inside or poking out of the drainage holes? If so, I am desperately root-bound. There is no more room for my root system to expand, which means I can't gather more nutrients or water to support new top growth. All my energy is spent just maintaining my existing leaves. My growth becomes completely stunted. I need a new home—a pot that is only 1-2 inches larger in diameter—with fresh, nutrient-rich soil to stretch my roots into.
While I'm struggling with poor conditions, I'm also more vulnerable to invaders. Tiny pests like spider mites suck the sap from my leaves, robbing me of my vitality. Aphids do the same, often hiding on my tender new shoots. Below the soil, root rot fungi can attack if the conditions are too wet. Furthermore, I don't like competing for resources. If you've planted other herbs or flowers too close to me, their roots are fighting with mine for every drop of water and every bit of nutrient in the soil. I need my space to thrive.
Even if you started me in good potting mix, the nutrients get used up over time, especially in a container. I need a balance of nutrients, particularly nitrogen for leafy green growth. If I've been in the same soil for a year or more, it's likely exhausted. Without these essential building blocks, I simply cannot produce new stems and leaves. A gentle, balanced feed can give me the boost I need, but be careful—too much fertilizer can shock and burn my roots, which is even worse.
