There are many types of herb plants that you can grow in containers. Common varieties include basil, Lemongrass, Broad Leaf Sage, and Parsley. Whether you’re growing them indoors or outside on a balcony, there are a variety of different containers to choose from. Read on for some tips to choose the right one for your space. And, don’t forget to consider how it will impact the appearance of your space.
Lemongrass
A popular herb for pots and containers, lemongrass grows easily in most types of soil. They prefer rich, moist soil with plenty of organic matter, nitrogen, and moisture. To increase their soil fertility and water holding capacity, you can add compost, aged compost, or a potting soil mix. Lemongrass also requires frequent watering. You can test the moisture of the soil with your finger. Lemongrass requires at least six hours of direct sunlight a day.
Harvest lemongrass leaves during the growing season. During the growing season, the stalks should grow about two inches in length and nearly an inch wide at the base. Once they are harvested, they are edible and can be steeped in water to make a tea. It can also be used to season soups and other dishes. Lemongrass can be frozen to use later. The leaves can be stored for about five months.
Basil
Growing basil is easy. In a pot, it needs about 1 inch of water a week. In a container, you will need to water your basil more frequently. The goal is to keep the soil moist, but not so wet that it dries out. Basil likes full sun, but in a hot climate, it is best to move it into partial shade every few days. During hot weather, it needs regular watering, as it loses moisture faster than other herbs. To retain moisture, add an inch of mulch to the soil or put a plastic tray under the pot.
You can also try planting basil seedlings in a sunny window. It’s important to keep the soil moist, but not so wet that the roots will dry out. When you first plant basil seeds, pick the strongest one to use as your main plant. Once the leaves appear, pinch them back, and move them to a larger pot. You can add a weak fertilizer solution to help the basil grow.
Broad Leaf Sage
When planting sage, you can divide it at the soil level to create new plants. For best results, choose pots that are about the same depth as the plants’ mature width. Containers usually dry out more quickly than ground soil, so sage is best planted in individual pots at the same depth. Moreover, it is best to water the newly-divided plants frequently, but not excessively.
Broad Leaf Sage is hardy, making it a good companion for a vegetable patch. It repels cabbage flies and caterpillars. It also attracts bees and butterflies and is a good plant to grow near tomatoes, carrots, and strawberries. Its flowers attract pollinators and repel cabbage flies. In fact, it is the best companion plant for all the vegetables in your garden, including radishes, cucumbers, and kohlrabi.
While broad leaf sage is hardy, it can be susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases. It can develop powdery mildew if the soil is too wet, but prevent damping off by using a sterile potting mix. Besides, this herb is also susceptible to mealybugs and whitefly, two common garden pests that can harm the plant. Insecticidal soap can be used to treat insect infestations.
Parsley
For a lush, flavorful plant, choose pots that hold about one gallon of soil. Parsley will grow in containers with a minimum of six hours of sunlight each day. Make sure to water your pot regularly through the drainage holes. You may want to water it twice a day or once a day, depending on its needs. Remember, a plant pot contains limited nutrients, so the parsley plant will quickly exhaust the nutrients in its potting mix.
Sow seeds in seed starting mix, or coconut coir, and water thoroughly. After soaking for 24 hours, you can plant the seeds outside. Plant seeds at least two inches apart and one-quarter inch deep. Once the first true leaves emerge, thin the plants to about six inches apart. Keeping the soil moist throughout the growing season is essential for their growth and success. Once they reach this size, the plant will be ready to transplant.
Thyme
Growing thyme in a container is easy. Start your thyme seeds indoors at least 4 weeks before the last frost. You can use a seed starting mix or coconut coir. The cuttings should have four true leaves when planted. If you don’t plan to use the plant right away, you can dry it for use as a dried herb. In the meantime, you can enjoy the fragrance of fresh thyme for as long as you like.
Thyme prefers well-drained soil that is 6.0 to 8.0 pH. You can enrich its soil with compost or aged manure to improve its pH. Thyme needs at least five hours of bright light each day, so plant it in a sunny window. Avoid afternoon sunlight because it can cause the leaves to wilt. Also, keep the soil moist and keep it evenly moist.
Rosemary
As one of the most popular container herbs, rosemary can be a great choice for your container garden. The plant will grow well in containers with a light soil pH between 6 and 7. If you’re growing rosemary in a container, use a mix with 30% compost and 70% horticultural sand. This will give your rosemary a good start, and the gritty texture of the mixture will help the plant absorb moisture and nutrients.
When growing rosemary in a container, make sure it gets plenty of water. It is very sensitive to dry soil, so be sure to mist regularly. Fertilizing rosemary once a month will help prevent it from going to seed. During the winter, prune rosemary back to four inches or one-third of its height if you want it to grow more compactly. Once mature, rosemary can tolerate light frost.
Cilantro
If you’re looking for an herb that will grow easily in a container, consider growing cilantro. You can plant a cilantro plant in a wide round container, and it will thrive in a sunny spot. Add some slow-release fertilizer to the soil, and water it regularly. After the cilantro plant blooms, remove any flowers or leave the leaves to die back naturally. Cilantro can grow quickly, and you can easily relocate the container to shield the plant from hot weather.
Cilantro is an annual herb that prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade in warm temperate regions. In zones eight through ten, you can plant cilantro seeds in fall or early spring. In zones 8 through ten, you can plant cilantro plants right away, but in northern climates, wait until fall to plant them. In late spring or early summer, you can still harvest cilantro from your container. However, cilantro plants with bolted foliage tend to have a bitter taste and will not survive a harsh winter.
Common Chives
Growing chives in your garden is easy. They grow from seed, so all you need is a pot and a bit of soil. To start, simply sprinkle some seeds in the pot and then water them regularly. Sprouting will begin in a few weeks. After that, water regularly and fertilize them every two weeks. After they have grown a few inches, divide them to make several new plants.
For the best results, use all-purpose fertilizer with slightly more nitrogen. The fertilizer you use for lettuce makes a good fertilizer for chives. Avoid using lawn fertilizer as it lacks micronutrients and is not balanced for chives’ needs. Also, avoid overwatering your plants. Chives thrive on consistent, reliable nutrition. So side-dress your pots with organic fish emulsion fertilizer once a month.
Another choice for growing chives in a container is the ‘Staro’ variety. This cultivar has extra thick leaves and is a great choice for those who want to keep their container plants small. Chives are excellent for both salads and omelets. The flowers are edible, and many recipes call for them. These small bulbs are pest deterrents and can be grown in zones three to nine.
Oregano
Oregano is a perennial herb that grows well in pots. It does not require much care, but it needs regular watering. Water the plants as needed, but make sure that the water is only enough to soak through the leaves and not overdo it. Ideally, oregano plants are watered until the water drips from the bottom. You may choose to fertilize the plant every month.
Planting oregano requires a few basic gardening skills. You should start by pinching off the growing tips when the plant reaches four inches tall. This will prevent leggy growth and flowering, while also keeping the leaves tasty. A good rule of thumb is to pinch back the growth tips every two weeks. Once the stems are at least six inches tall, you can transplant them into a small pot.
Oregano grows best in sunny windows and can be transplanted outdoors after the risk of frost. Growing oregano in pots is easy. The best container for oregano is 10 to 14 inches in diameter and six to eight inches deep. You can use a general-purpose potting mix, but some growers add peat-based potting soil or perlite to ensure the roots are kept moist. Keep in mind that oregano does not require a lot of water, so it is recommended that you replace it once it gets overgrown.
While oregano grows well in pots and containers, it grows well in a sunny location. However, in zone seven, it will benefit from some afternoon shade. It also likes well-drained soil and a pH of between 6.5 and seven. If you’re planning to plant it in containers, choose a well-drained, fertile soil and a rich organic mix. Don’t forget to water it every week. Make sure to pick off the flower buds before the plant blooms as they are bitter.
Oregano is a prolific grower, so it’s a great choice for containers and patios. Its leaves are packed with flavor and make a great topping for pizza, bruschetta, or marinades. If you’re looking for the best taste, try Greek oregano or the more tender Syrian variety. It is also known as Zaatar, and its leaves are silver.
Marjoram
If you have space in your patio or container garden, consider growing Marjoram. This fragrant herb is a wonderful addition to your garden. Unlike some herbs, marjoram does not require a lot of space to grow. If you’re not sure whether to plant marjoram as a container plant or a full-grown herb, read on for tips. Listed below are a few common pests and diseases of marjoram.
Before planting marjoram plants in the garden, you must harden them off by placing them in a sheltered location for a week or two. To achieve this, plant the seeds on a baking sheet or in a bowl and cover them with a clear plastic bag. This step helps to harden the plant’s cell structure, which reduces transplant shock and scalding. After hardening off, plant the seedlings in their final location in the garden.
If you choose to plant marjoram as a container or patio herb, be sure to give it ample space. Marjoram grows well in moist or dry soil, but it does not do well in very hot or very cold climates. It also needs a moderate amount of sunlight. In addition to a sunny spot, marjoram grows well in pots or raised beds. You should water it regularly, as it tends to be quite susceptible to mildew.
To grow marjoram, make sure your planting medium is well-drained and able to drain water. Because marjoram is native to arid areas, it is drought-resistant. Make sure you water the plant at least once a week, or you risk damaging its root system. Once it grows to maturity, it is best to harvest the leaves as soon as they start to sprout flower buds. After flowering, marjoram leaves become bitter.
When choosing the plant for your pot or container, look for a location with 8 hours of direct sunlight. This plant does well in a pot of a minimum of 16 inches. Plant the herbs where they will have equal light and water frequently. Avoid fertilizing them, as their roots will not be able to handle fertilization. Planting Marjoram in a lean soil is best for the strongest flavor.
Mint
If you’re looking for a great herb to grow in a container or on your patio, try mint. This herb grows very well in a five-litre pot and produces leaves all year round. Once it reaches the end of its growing season, divide it and re-pot with fresh compost. Plants should be rotated every few weeks to keep the foliage fresh and vibrant. Be sure to remove the flower stalks as they can reduce the flavor.
Mint, also known as Mentha, is a vigorous perennial herb, and should be grown in containers to contain its vigor. Mint is an essential part of any indoor herb garden due to its flavor and fragrance, and is also an excellent choice for patios and sunny windowsills. However, it can become invasive in raised beds and choke out other plants, so make sure you plan your container garden carefully.
To help prevent this problem, you should keep the soil moist. Mint is susceptible to aphids, which can cause stunted growth. You can treat mint with a spray of insecticidal soap, which is available at Home Depot. Aphids can also damage your herbs by sucking their sap and spreading the fungal disease. If you have trouble keeping them in control, you can use landscape edging such as AmazonBasics.
When growing mint in containers, you should use a pot with drainage holes. It’s best to choose a glazed clay container, which will allow moisture to escape and a slow-release fertilizer. You should plant the plant at the same depth as the nursery pot, or slightly deeper. It will grow well in both sunny and shady areas. If you don’t want to use the leaves for food, you can also use them for mint chutney.
If you want to grow mint in a container, you can buy cuttings from mature plants. Cuttings are an excellent way to start a mint plant, because they are easy to propagate. The cuttings should be between three and four inches long and contain most of the leaves. When rooted, mint will grow in a container or patio herb plant. After several weeks, the plant should have roots. Afterward, you can transplant it into a container with compost potting soil. Mint does not require peat soil, as long as it has a sunny spot.
