Growing your herbs in pots or containers has many benefits. If you are restricted in the space you have to grow, or simply want to be able to move your plants easily, gardening in pots is a great way to go! Gardening in pots also gives you the flexibility of growing herbs any time of the year, indoors or outdoors.
Growing Herbs in a Pot Garden: Choosing Containers
Choosing the correct container can be very important for the success of your herb garden. Since your herbs will depend on the space and nutrition your containers provide, make sure that you buy the right containers for your herbs.
- As long as it’s the right size, your herbs can be planted in more traditional pots including wood, plastic, cements, and clay/terra cotta (the preferred material of herb gardeners)
- Non-traditional containers include boots, grocery bags, bowls, teapots, etc.
- Choose the size of your pots relative to the herb you will be growing: a pot that is too small will make your herbs root-bound, and a pot that is too large will lead to plants growing more under the soil than above the soil
- Any container needs good drainage to be successful; drill holes into the bottoms of containers, and place gravel in the bottom of containers to help with drainage
- You can choose to purchase a larger pot and plant several different herbs in it, just make sure the herbs have similar needs in care
Growing Herbs in a Pot Garden: Best Herbs
To start your herb garden, you can either purchase seedlings or start your herbs from seeds. Purchasing seedlings can become expensive, but may be a good alternative to trying to grow seeds, which can be difficult if ideal growing conditions aren’t maintained. Here are some good herbs to get your herb garden started!
- Mint
- Parsley
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Basil
- Thyme
Choose herbs based on what you think tastes good and/or looks attractive to you. The more herbs you pick, the more will grow back. So even if you aren’t eating the herbs, you should pinch them to make your herbs grow in fuller and well-formed.
Growing Herbs in a Pot Garden: Soil Care
The soil in your pots will be where your herbs get their nutrients and water. Therefore, maintaining soil will be crucial to keeping your plants healthy and tasty. Also make sure that your plants are getting at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day.
- Purchase a soilless mix; they have great drainage and will fend-off disease and weeds
- High quality potting mixes made from peat or vermiculite also work well; to improve growing conditions you can mix in compost (make up 1/3 of the entire container) with the mix
- Herbs do not require heavy applications of fertilizer; a good organic fertilizer mixed into the soil before planting is good enough
- Add a liquid fish emulsion or liquid seaweed every few weeks as a booster of nutrients for your herbs
- Water your herbs every day or as needed; as long as the soil is moist 1” deep, your herbs have enough water
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