Beginners Guide to Growing Herbs in Pots

My favorite and most versatile way to get fresh herbs is by growing herbs in pots. This can be done in a small or large space. This article will go over growing herbs outdoors. I will also go through the best herbs to grow in pots from my experience. 

There are a few tips to growing herbs in containers. I put together a free printable guide of the top herbs to grow in pots and what their requirements are.

Best Herbs to Grow in Pots

You can plant almost any herb in a pot. Some herbs actually do better in pots. For example, chives and mint both love to spread in the garden, so having them in pots helps contain their growth. Having herbs in containers lets you easily move them around your garden. Some herbs such as parsley, may appreciate some afternoon shade in the summer months, so you can easily place it in different conditions as needed. Some of my favorite herbs to grow in containers are:

1. Basil
2. Thyme
3. Parsley
4. Mint
5. Chives
6. Rosemary
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Best Containers to Grow Herbs In

I typically plant herbs in terra cotta pots but you can use anything with a drainage hole at the bottom. Terra cotta pots are the easiest and most inexpensive to find so that is why I often use them. I also just love the look of terra cotta in the garden.

For most herbs, I get pots that are at least 8” wide. Herbs tend to grow to the size of their container. If you have a much larger pot, your plants have more nutrients and tend to grow much larger than if they were smaller.

Some herbs do grow quicker than others. I have found parsley to grow very quickly for me while rosemary tends to grow a little slower. With that in mind, I ofter plant parsley in a larger container. This may vary depending on your climate.

Soil for Herbs

Most herbs are happy with a typical potting mix. Something that is well draining with rich nutrients works great. Some of your hardy herbs, such as rosemary and thyme, actually prefer more sandy soil. They don’t need as many nutrients or water, so something that drains quicker works better for them. With that said, I have used regular potting soil for hardy herbs and they have done fine. I just make sure to water them much less than my other herbs.

Guide to Growing Herbs in Pots

I put together an overview of the top herbs to grow in pots and what their growing requirements are. I hope you find it helpful!

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