I am growing basil and mint on the balcony and people have been telling me about buying a "12 inch pot". So, I just got 2 massive 12 inch pots. 12 inch in diameter. I was like "surely these plants need something big if their roots spread fast", but did I misunderstood something? Did they mean 12 inch in height?

Here is a photo of the basil and its 12" clay pot. :)

basil will grow huge if it gets enough sun and water.





this is a 10 or 12 inch pot from last year. It is not clay though and did tip over a few time in heavy wind.

I am pretty sure they meant 12 inches wide.

my pic is 3 or 4 basil plants in one large pot.

What a great question! I think it is the diameter of the top since the bottom and heights vary according to use, i.e. a large but sqatty 12" pot for a Bonsai. Or a tall decorative pot flanking doorways. I think you basil will do great in that pot.

Gabe - they're talking the width of the pot.

width of the pot at the top.