The Best Herbs to Grow in Containers and How to Do It Right

Having a supply of fresh herbs at hand is one of the easiest ways to add flavour to your food. I grow a wide variety of herbs in my vegetable garden, but I also like to keep a few pots of herbs on my sunny back deck. It’s convenient when I need a handful of basil or parsley, but herbs are also beautiful plants and add welcome greenery to outdoor spaces.

Culinary herbs are high-value crops because buying them fresh at the grocery store is expensive, but growing them is easy and you’ll enjoy months of harvesting. Plant the herbs you use the most, like basil, parsley, and oregano, but don’t be shy about trying something new like lemon verbena or Thai basil.

When it comes to planting herbs, you’ve got two options; direct sowing seeds or buying transplants from a local garden centre. This is important because many types of herbs are super slow to grow from seeds and you may be waiting a very long time to harvest. This is true for woody herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano. Cilantro and dill, on the other hand, are quicker to grow and the seeds can be planted outdoors in pots or garden beds.

Success with container gardening starts with picking the right type of pot, planter, or window box. First, select a container that is large enough to hold the amount of herbs you wish to grow. A 16 inch diameter pot is big enough to grow 3 to 4 herb plants. The container should also have drainage holes on the bottom as soggy soil is the fastest way to kill herbs.

I fill my pots with a blend of potting mix and compost, approximately two-thirds potting mix and one-third compost. I then add a slow release organic vegetable fertilizer to the pot as well to provide a steady supply of nutrients.

7 herbs to plant in pots

1) Basil

Sweet and spicy basil is my favourite flavour of summer. It’s delicious paired with tomato salads, sprinkled over freshly baked pizza, on pasta, or turned into pesto. Unless you start basil seeds indoors early, it’s best to buy seedlings. I like Genovese type basil, also called sweet basil, as the plants produce large leaves perfect for pesto. However, it’s also fun to grow Greek type basils, which form one foot tall mounds of tiny leaves. Other types of basil to try include lemon basil and Thai basil.

2) Parsley

There are two types of parsley; curly and flat-leaf. Curly parsley plants grow about 12 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide with graceful stems and attractive deeply curled leaves. Flat-leafed parsley, also called Italian parsley, forms a larger plant, growing 18 inches tall and has a stronger flavour than curly parsley. Both grow well in pots and planters, but curly parsley takes up less space.

3) Rosemary

Rosemary is an aromatic herb with narrow, almost needle-like, foliage that is packed with flavourful oils. It grows best in full sun and well-draining soil. Aim to keep the growing mix lightly damp, but not wet. There are different types of rosemary you can try and my favourites include Arp, Barbeque, and Rex.

4) Greek oregano

In terms of flavour and fragrance, Greek oregano is the preferred type to grow. The small leaves have a pungent, almost spicy, taste and the plants form relatively compact mounds of the silvery-green foliage. Sprinkle chopped oregano on homemade pizza, roasted potatoes, and other dishes.

5) Mint

Because it’s very slow to grow from seed and most cultivars are unavailable in seed packets, it’s best to buy mint seedlings from your local garden centre. However, only plant this herb in pots. If grown in the ground it spreads aggressively and is very difficult to get rid of. However, in a container it’s well-behaved and supplies plenty of leaves for beverages, salads, and fresh spring rolls. Try peppermint, spearmint, mojito mint, and chocolate mint.

6) Thyme

The low-growing plants of thyme are drought-tolerant, heat-tolerant, and forgiving of a little neglect. Plus the tiny leaves pack a flavour punch! I like to grow English thyme and lemon thyme in pots, setting them near the side of the container so they can spill over the edge. Give them full sun and harvest often to promote fresh growth.

7) Lemon verbena

I love lemon flavoured herbs like lemon balm and lemon basil, but it’s hard to beat the intensely citrusy taste and fragrance of lemon verbena. Start with a young plant, not seeds, and set it out in a sunny site. The plants grow 3 feet tall and are perfect for the back of a large planter. Tuck basil, Greek oregano, or thyme in front for an attractive potted herb garden. Harvest the leaves all summer long and add them to tea, cocktails, and fruit salads.

About the Author
Niki Jabbour is the author of four books including The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener and her latest, Growing Under Cover. She’s also a two-time winner of the prestigious American Horticultural Society Book Award. For 15 years she produced and hosted The Weekend Gardener radio show and is currently the garden expert for CBC radio. Niki writes columns for magazines and newspapers across North America including The Chronicle Herald, Horticulture, and Fine Gardening. Find her on SavvyGardening.com or on Facebook and Instagram.