This "Mamma Mia" Italian herb container garden includes basil, oregano, and rosemary. It's the perfect combination for enhancing mom's famous spaghetti sauce.
Here is an easy way to show the moms in your life that you appreciate them on Mother’s Day and every day—a growing gift of a container herb garden. If you’re not sure what to plant, we have a few suggested combinations, depending on what she likes to cook.
Mamma Mia
Her spaghetti may be the best already, but these fresh herbs will raise the bar even higher.
Greek Columnar basil, rosemary or Italian parsley, Greek or Hot & Spicy oregano
Basil Lover
If she already loves basil, try a variety of fresh new basil flavors all in one container.
Greek Columnar or Sweet basil, Purple or Thai or Cinnamon basil, Spicy Globe or Boxwood basil
Happy Hour
Whether she reaches for iced tea or iced mojito, every woman relishes a few minutes to sip a relaxing beverage.
Lemon verbena, rosemary, spearmint or a collection of flavored mints, including orange, apple, and chocolate
Souper Mom
Her homemade soup always cured your little ailments. These savory herbs are the perfect addition to soups and stews.
Sweet basil, rosemary, Greek oregano, and German thyme
Flavor Fiesta
If enchiladas are more her dish, plant this combination of herbs popular in Hispanic cuisine.
Cilantro, Onion chives, Hot & Spicy oregano, and spearmint (also known as Yerba Buena)
For more container combination ideas, visit our Container Inspiration Gallery.
MOM’S GARDEN PLANTING TIPS
• Plant two or three herbs in a large pot that is at least 14 inches in diameter, preferably larger as larger containers are easier to keep watered in the heat of summer. Or, you can plant each herb in a 10-inch pot and group the pots together.
• Choose from a variety of container styles and materials to match mom’s own signature style. You can try coordinating the container style to the combination theme. Terracotta works well for the “Mamma Mia” combo (as shown above), while something colorful and fun might be in order for “Happy Hour.”
• Plant the herbs in a premium potting mix. Don’t skimp on mom! Quality is important so that the roots grow well.
• Add a Little Green Jug of Bonnie Herb & Vegetable Plant Food to your gift. This gives mom the tools to keep her container green and growing all season long.
• Use this rule of (green) thumb for container design: include a thriller, filler, and spiller. The thriller provides height and a focal point in the center or back of the design, while the spiller trails over the side of the pot, and the filler fills in the space between the other two. In the combinations described above, the plants are listed in order of thriller, filler, and spiller.
• With over 40 Bonnie Plants herb varieties to choose from, the combinations are nearly endless. Just go with what mom likes! She’ll thank you for it.
Is it true that by the time a person buys herbs from the greenhouse, it is already about to finish it’s life? I have tried a number of times to have a little herb garden and the plants blast and die before a few days are gone. I am not a beginning gardener, so I do know where to plant things. I would like to know if this is the case and if a person can really just keep on planting the seeds all summer. Thanks for the opportunity to ask about this.
Hi Barbara,
It is not true that when you buy herb plants from a greenhouse that it’s already about to finish it’s life. Quite the contrary! One 5″ pot of lavender can mature to 2 feet x 2 feet, for instance. Depending on what herbs you are growing, some like cool-season weather and others flourish in the warmth of summer and like well-drained soils. Check out our full library of “How to Grow” on all of our herb offerings here. Let us know how it grows. ~Mary Beth, Bonnie Plants
Thank you for this amazing article! I always learn something from your articles. I have always wanted to plant an herb garden and never knew where to start. Your article showed me how to start and how to take care of it afterwards. Thank you again! Virginia Willis
What a wonderful idea! Just the perfect, thoughtful gift for my gourmet cook Mom.
I really like this site. Its very educational and informative!! I always enjoy
reading about gardening!!!!!!
What a great idea. Love the concept
Can thes pots be grown indoors? We live in the desert and there is no humidity to speak of. Most of what I plant comes up and dies off almost immediately. The sun scorches the leaves. I have some surviving tomatoes which only have part time sun under the overhand of the porch. Would they survive on the porch? Lois
Hi Lois,
Sounds very hot and dry! Most herbs (such as rosemary, lavender, thyme) do prefer a soil that drains well and doesn’t stay too wet, so that is in your favor. Basil requires more water. The article links to many choices of herbs and their desired conditions, for more information. Choose a great potting mix for your container, put in a sunny corner of the porch or in your sun room and keep it watered. Should be perfectly happy! Let us know how it grows. ~Mary Beth, Bonnie Plants
I love this idea! I don’t have my Mom with me anymore, but I’m going to create a Her Garden for myself! (I am a Mom, after all!) Thanks for all your wonderful tips and ideas.
Hi Barb,
What a wonderful idea to share. We should honor all mothers and memories of mothers every day, but especially Mothers Day. Thanks for being a part of our online community. Share photos and tips of your own on our Facebook page if you like! ~Mary Beth, Bonnie Plants
Where can I find that pot that you have pictured in your Mamma Mia Herb Garden? It is a most unusual container, and I would love to have one! Thanks!
Hi Evelyn,
Thanks for your post! This gardener found hers at this store, though it may be one of a kind or not currently in inventory: http://www.tsitalia.com/pottery. ~Mary Beth, Bonnie Plants
I love to garden and to grow herbs.This was a great idea!
I’ve been planting herb container gadens for many years. It is wonderful to have a fresh asssortment right outside my door for snipping! I’ve grouped five containers with different assortments, and I replace them as needed each spring. I always try to add one or two new varieties each year too. If some plants get too large, friends and I divide them and swap. As an added bonus I think of these friends each time I use their plant and we’ve even shared some great new recipes.
Most herbs can be rooted in water in the kitchen window. You can buy some for a recipe and keep extras in water until rooted. Planted is good potting soil once they have roots. Almost free plants!
I enjoyed this subject very much. I live in a “Seniors” apartment building. A few years ago, I used a first floor apart-
ment’s window ledge off the patio we all share to plant a
rectangular flower box with herbs. A variety of basil, oregano, sage, and thyme. I was wonderful. It supplied a plethora of
herbs for pesto, sauces, salads, etc. Needless to say, I purchased the garlic, onion, olive oil etc. Thank you for a most enjoyable article. Herbs can be grown in almost any environment. Especially if you can purchase grow lights, fans, and have a water supply. Now, I use my own windowsill; but hope to help my daughter-in-law establish a great herb garden with my two beautiful 3 1/2 yr. old grand-daughters. My son can “fetch and carry.” It’s a “girl” thing, like with my Mom!
Hi Candace,
This is so good to hear! I’m so glad you’re growing herbs indoors and teaching your daughter-in-law and grandchildren to garden as well. You might enjoy our article “How to Grow an Indoor Herb Garden” as well.
Happy growing!
Kelly, Bonnie Plants