How to Grow Herbs in Containers
Not much space for gardening? No problem! The best part of growing is the option to do it anywhere. This guide on how to grow herbs in pots will help you enjoy fresh, delicious flavors whenever you need them.
Gardening 101 doesn’t have to be overwhelming—even a small patio or windowsill can become your herb haven.
If you love making flavorful meals, chances are you go through a lot of fresh herbs. Sure, you can buy herb cuttings at the store, but they’re not exactly cheap, and you never really know if they’re still bursting with flavor.
When I first started gardening, herbs quickly became my go-to plants. They’re what I call self-sufficient—with a little care, they basically grow themselves. Plus, they’re the perfect introduction to growing your own food.
Having fresh herbs on hand isn’t just a money-saver; it also gives you unlimited access to a variety of amazing flavors, especially the ones you use the most.
The best part? No matter where you live, an herb garden can fit right into your space. Herbs not only adapt well to containers, but they actually thrive in them. That means you can start growing a few plants today, even if all you’ve got is a sunny windowsill or a tiny balcony.
Over the years, I’ve tried just about every setup, container style, and location you can imagine for growing herbs. And guess what? They all worked. If you’ve got soil, sunshine, and water, you’re ready to get started with your very own herb garden.
How to Grow Herbs in Pots
Growing herbs in pots and containers couldn’t be easier. There are so many creative options out there, so you’re sure to find something that works perfectly for your space. Whether it’s flower pots, hanging bags, or something else entirely, you can use what you already have or pick up something new to get started.
Planning Your Herb Container Garden
I’m definitely a planner, and when it comes to growing plants, a little planning goes a long way. Taking the time to map things out not only saves you effort down the road but also helps your herb garden thrive year after year.
Here’s something important to keep in mind—not all plants get along. Some herbs grow best when they’re near certain plants, while others prefer their own space. Understanding these preferences, a practice called companion planting, can make a big difference when it comes to choosing the right spot for each herb. It’s worth knowing before you get started.
What is companion planting?
Companion planting is all about placing certain plants near each other to help them grow better. Take marigolds, for instance. When planted next to tomatoes and peppers, they can keep pesky hornworm caterpillars away.
It’s also a handy way to figure out which plants shouldn’t be neighbors. Fennel and basil, for example, aren’t the best match. As fennel grows, it can block out sunlight, which can slow down the growth of your basil.
To make things easier, you can check out our herb companion planting chart . It’ll help you figure out which plants make great buddies and which ones are best kept apart.
What herbs should you grow in an herb garden?
When planning your herb container garden, think about the herbs you use most often in your cooking. Some of the favorites are rosemary, parsley, thyme, oregano, basil, mint, and dill. But don’t feel like you need to grow all of them. If you’re not using a certain herb often, it might not be worth the space.
At our house, basil is a must-have.
There’s nothing better than having fresh basil right on the windowsill, ready to add a punch of flavor to our meals. I love knowing I can pick what I need whenever I want it.
A good starting point is to grow the herbs you reach for the most, and from there, you can expand your garden once you’re ready. When I started my first herb garden, I picked four of my favorites and grew from there.
SLCG PRO TIP: Don’t try to do too much all at once. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, start small. Choose a few of your favorite herbs to grow. This way, it’s easier to keep up with watering, pruning, and enjoying what you grow.
Choosing the Right Pots for Your Herb Garden
When picking out containers for your herb plants, there are a few things to keep in mind.
#1. Drainage
The most important thing is making sure your pots have good drainage. Look for ones with holes at the bottom—that way, excess water can drain out instead of sitting and soaking the roots.
The roots are where all the magic happens. Healthy roots are the key to growing lush, vibrant herb plants. But if water sits around too long, it can actually harm the roots, leading to rot and leaving you with dull, underwhelming plants. Proper drainage can save you from that trouble and help your herbs thrive.
#2. Room to Grow
Most herbs don’t need tons of space for their roots, so a smaller pot is usually just fine. But keep in mind, smaller containers hold less soil, which can make it trickier to get the watering just right.
One easy solution is to use a self-watering container. It helps regulate how much water your herbs are getting, so you don’t have to worry as much about over or under-watering.
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How to Grow Herbs in Pots
When it comes to growing herbs, there are a few essentials to keep in mind. Let’s break it down so you can create the perfect setup to help your plants grow well throughout the season and even beyond.
Sun
Herbs grow best in sunshine, needing about 8-10 hours of it each day. Location makes a big difference here, but the great thing about growing in pots is that you can move them around to find the best spot.
To figure out how much sun a potential area gets, set an alarm on your phone and check the spot every hour or so throughout the day. That way, you’ll know if it’s getting the light your herbs need.
Soil
High-quality potting soil is a must for healthy herbs. The better the soil, the more vibrant the growth. If you’re worried about over- or under-watering, consider using a moisture-control potting mix to make things easier.
Temperature
Heat is another important factor. If it gets too hot, your herbs might dry out faster and need more water. If you live in a super-hot climate, think about growing your herbs indoors or in a shaded, protected spot outdoors to keep them happy.
SLCG Pro tip: A soil meter is a handy tool to measure your soil’s pH, moisture, and temperature. It can take the guesswork out of ensuring your herbs have just what they need to grow and grow well.
Fertilizer
Herbs don’t need a ton of fertilizer—in fact, too much can do more harm than good. Over-fertilizing can actually kill the plants, and for some herbs, it can even dull their flavor.
To keep things simple, just add a few drops or a spike of plant food to your watering routine every couple of weeks. That’s all they need to stay healthy without overdoing it.
Best Herbs for Container Gardening
Let’s look at some of the best options for growing in containers and an overview of each. This will help you to make a list of herbs you want to start out with in your new container garden.
• Basil – Basil is one of the most common herbs to grow. Not only is it great on pasta and in sauces, but it also provides a nice flavor for salads. It prefers full sunlight and moist soil and needs fertilizing.
It will take about six weeks for the root system to become established, but after that, it can tolerate short periods of dryness. There are several varieties, some growing as tall as two feet.
• Cilantro – Also known as coriander, it’s most commonly used for its leaves, but don’t discount its dried ground seeds. It likes a good drainage system for its soil and lots of sunlight.
Cilantro grows a long root system so it will need a container that’s at least 12 inches deep. Depending on the variety, it can grow up to 2 feet tall. 
• Chives – Chives are essentially tiny onions grown for their leaves and blooms. They are grassy, clump-forming perennials, have hollow leaves, and their pink-purple flowers are edible.
They prefer nutrient-rich soil and a pot with good drainage. They grow best in full sunlight but can tolerate a little shade. They can grow as tall as 18-20 inches.
• Lavender – Lavender is very fragrant and makes a nice addition to cookies and cakes, but it also grows beautiful flowers that brighten up your home. The scent is also known for its calming abilities, so it’s perfect for making scented candles or oils to encourage relaxation.
It’s a bushy shrub, so it usually doesn’t like to share a pot with anything else. It needs full sunlight and good drainage; it prefers to stay dry and doesn’t like fertilizer. It can grow as tall as two feet.
• Tarragon – This classic French herb is most commonly used to season fish and has a bold flavor. Tarragon needs good drainage, like a few days of dry soil between waterings, and prefers lots of sun. It can grow as tall as three feet high.
• Lemon Balm – Lemon balm spreads quickly, so it does better in a container than in your yard to keep it under control. It likes partial shade to full sun, and it likes its soil to stay moist, but well-drained. It can grow up to two feet tall.
• Lemon Verbena – With its lovely scent and flavor, lemon verbena is perfect for scented candles and tea, as well as some baked goods and chicken. It’s a tropical shrub and likes a container of well-drained potting soil and no fertilizer. In full sunlight, it can grow up to three feet high.
• Parsley – Whether you use it for cooking or to pretty up your dinner plate, parsley is a popular herb. When planting, remember that it likes regular water and feeding, so a self-watering pot and slow-release fertilizer at planting time can keep this herb happy. It likes the sun, but it can tolerate partial shade.
• Mint – Mint is another herb that can be used for so many things. It’s great for baked goods, flavoring whipped cream, or brewing for tea. Its lovely scent is invigorating so it’s a wonderful addition to lotions and candles.
Grown in the ground, it can become invasive, so growing this herb in a pot is best. Like many herbs, it prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It’s hearty and can grow in various soil types, but it produces the best leaves in nutrient-rich soil. There are several varieties, and their size varies, but they can grow up to two feet tall.
• Oregano – Oregano is essential to any Mediterranean cuisine. It doesn’t do well in wet soil, so proper drainage is necessary. Also, full sunlight is best; the more sun it gets, the stronger the flavor. Oregano will grow about two feet tall.
• Marjoram – Marjoram is similar to oregano, but a little sweeter and milder in flavor, and it’s more aromatic. It prefers full sunlight and well-drained potting soil, and it can grow as high as two feet. It’s a perennial, so it will still thrive in the winter indoors.
• Rosemary – Rosemary is another essential herb in Mediterranean cooking. And the fragrant smell will give your kitchen a lovely scent, making it a good addition to scented candles. It can grow up to three feet tall and need quick-draining soil to thrive.
Keep the soil moist but never wet when growing indoors. It prefers hot, dry, and sunny areas.
• Thyme – Thyme comes in many varieties, and they all grow well in full sunlight with well-drained soil. Thyme doesn’t like wet soil, so don’t overwater and let it dry out for a few days between watering. It only grows about 10 inches tall making it a perfect option for smaller containers.
• Sage – Sage is great for seasoning poultry as well as adding to a variety of teas. It likes lots of sun and moist but well-drained soil. It can grow up to two feet high.
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Best Herbs to Plant Together
Some herbs are made to be neighbors, especially those that thrive under similar conditions, like the same amount of sunlight and soil type.
Mediterranean herbs, for example, tend to play really well together. Not only do they support each other’s growth, but they can even enhance each other’s flavors. Some great combos to plant together include:
- Sage
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Oregano
- Marjoram
- Lavender
If you’re looking for herbs that prefer a little more moisture, try grouping these together instead:
- Tarragon
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Parsley
Just keep in mind, parsley is a biennial, so it naturally dies off after about two years. When that happens, you’ll need to remove it and make room for something new.
Essential Tips for Growing Herbs in Pots
Growing herbs in pots is a fantastic way to enjoy fresh flavors right at your fingertips, but there are a few things to keep in mind to set your herb garden up for success. Here’s what you need to know before and after planting.
Find the Right Amount of Sun
Most herbs love the sun and need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. That said, if you live in a warmer area, your herbs might appreciate a little afternoon shade to cool off. Keeping an eye on how much light your plants are getting throughout the day can make a big difference in their growth.
Pick the Perfect Containers
Your container choice matters! Herbs need pots big enough to support their root systems. A good rule of thumb is to use a pot that’s at least one-third as tall as the plant’s expected height. For example, if a plant can grow up to 2 feet tall, the pot should be at least 8 inches deep.
For larger plants like lemon balm or lavender, it’s even better to choose a pot that’s both deep and wide. Whatever container you go with, don’t forget drainage holes; they’re non-negotiable if you want healthy, happy herbs.
Choose High-Quality Soil
Your herbs will thank you for good-quality, nutrient-rich potting soil. Look for a mix designed for containers, preferably one that offers moisture control to help manage over- or under-watering. Unlike garden soil, potting soil is lighter and less dense, allowing air and water to circulate more easily around the roots.
If you’re planning on keeping your herb garden going year after year, be sure to freshen things up by adding a soil revitalizer annually. This restores essential nutrients and keeps your soil healthy.
Water Based on the Herb’s Preference
Not all herbs have the same watering needs, so pay attention to the instructions on their plant tags or seed packets.
- Herbs that love consistent moisture: Parsley, marjoram, mint, and chives.
- Herbs that prefer to dry out a little between waterings: Oregano, thyme, rosemary, and basil.
Overwatering can be just as harmful as underwatering, so keep an eye on your plants and adjust as needed to keep them in top shape.
With the right sun, soil, container, and care, your potted herb garden will soon be flourishing and ready to add fresh, homegrown flavor to your meals!
How to Grow Herbs in Pots: FAQ
Growing herbs in pots is a wonderful way to enjoy fresh flavors and add a bit of greenery to your space. To help you get started (and stay on track), we’ve answered some common questions about growing herbs in containers.
1. How do you harvest fresh herbs from pots?
Harvesting fresh herbs properly helps keep your plants healthy and encourages more growth. Here’s how to do it:
- Pick leaves often to promote new growth, but don’t overdo it. Only harvest up to 1/4 of the plant at a time.
- For herbs with clumping leaves (like basil or parsley), start with the outer leaves and work your way inward.
- For herbs with upright stems (like rosemary or thyme), snip off individual branches as needed.
Regular harvesting keeps your plants under control and ensures you always have fresh herbs ready to go.
2. Can you grow herbs in a hydroponic garden?
Yes, you can grow herbs hydroponically! This method involves growing plants in water instead of soil, so their roots are submerged and supported. While it requires a bit more setup, the results can be worth it. Here’s what to know:
- Hydroponic herb gardens are usually indoor setups and need grow lights. Plan for a table or shelf to house the system.
- Equipment you’ll need includes containers that hold water, grow cubes, a pH testing kit, distilled water, and an air pump to keep the water circulating.
- Though it takes more effort to maintain than a soil-based garden, a hydroponic system can produce healthy herbs in about two months.
If you’re up for the challenge, it’s a fun and productive option.
3. How much sun do herbs need?
Most herbs are sun lovers and need at least 6 hours of bright, direct sunlight every day to thrive. If you’re in a hot climate, they’ll appreciate a bit of afternoon shade to cool off.
One of the great things about growing herbs in pots is that you can move them around as needed. If a spot isn’t getting enough light, you can easily relocate your plants to make sure they catch those rays.
Now that you know the basics of growing herbs in pots, why not get started? You can plan, set up, and plant your herb garden in just a weekend, and it won’t be long before you’re cooking with fresh, homegrown flavors. Once those herbs start growing, you’ll have so many delicious options that you might find yourself looking for excuses to use them every day.
