Maybe it wasn't a good basil type. As mentioned, there are many leaf size varieties. The biggest I grew here, were 4 foot tall, and you could use a single leaf as a roll up for a sandwich. The 1 foot tall bushy basil with small leaves, was a made into great pesto. Growing in a container may have had an adverse effect. Although there are dozens of types of green leaf basil, the soil and nutrients that its planted in has a lot to do with the end result. In most cass, I prefer to start mine from seeds that I get from reputable sources. Your fairly sure of what you are growing then.

Yikes, I sure do disagree, JimR! Forms of hydroponics have been around and known to be successful for generations. Some people would argue that taking the soil OUT of the equation makes it easier, MUCH easier. It simply requires veering off the beaten path a bit and learning some new principles. After all, plants have very few requirements....water, light, air, dissolved nutrients. They can get all of those things without the benefit of soil in any form. I've not experimented with hydroculture, hydroponics, or aeroponics myself, though I daresay that my years of growing in a completely soilless medium (Turface, granite grit, bark fines) might qualify. But I know many that have, including successful commercial growers of leaf crops, tomatoes, and cucumbers. I've spoken with hydroponic growers of cut flowers for the florist trade, which is becoming more and more popular. I visited Epcot about 30 years ago and remember being really amazed at their underground aeroponics system. For some reason, the huge squash plants stand out in my memory, suspended in the air with roots hanging below...covered with ripe yellow crooknecks! So, not a gimmick at all but tried and true agricultural methods that have been around for many, many years. It's only natural that the methods have been down-sized for use in basements and small greenhouses. Here is a link that might be useful: Take a look at this.

I'd just pick off the affected leaves and dispose of them. Since basil is an annual it isn't worth expending much effort or money on saving it and I wouldn't use any pesticide on something I was going to eat. Especially since the larvae are inside the leave so contact products won't work and you'd have to reach for a systemic.

Hi CA Kate, wondering if anyone responded to your delima of basil plant size when you go to harvest are you just cutting which ever Individual leaf looks good? If so it could answer why its just growing back if you trim the top 1 - 2 nodes (think its called that) then your plant will grow faster. If you look at a main/larger stem you see a new tiny leaf coming out on 2 sides, that new growth is where it will spread if there is nothing above it. My outdoor plant is in a large grow bag with more room and new stems are coming out without me doing anything. And did you know harvesting the biggest leaves and leaving the new growth on the plant they may not grow healthy and harder Those large leaves are like the solar panels of the new guys…