Growing Herbs in Containers

Using containers to grow herbs can be an excellent way to garden in a small space. Learn the benefits of herb container gardening and get tips.

Growing Herbs in Containers

Don't have much space? Most herbs grow beautifully in containers. Here's everything you need to know.

Tips for Growing Herbs in Containers

  • Put containers anywhere there is a source of water and plenty of sunshine.
  • For anyone in wheelchair or who has trouble bending over, a large pot is the next best thing to a raised bed.
  • Most herbs grow best with at least six hours of sun each day, though some herbs (like mint and parsley) do just fine with four hours.
  • Use a premium-quality potting mix like Miracle-Gro® Potting Mix. DON'T use garden soil; it can be too dense and infested with disease or nematodes. After a year, empty the old soil, which may begin to lose its original texture, into the compost pile and replace it with fresh potting mix. In cool climates where decomposition is slower, a 2-year rotation is usually okay.
  • Before planting, mix a continuous-release fertilizer, such as Miracle-Gro® Shake ‘n Feed® Tomato, Fruit & Vegetable Plant Food, into the soil. Or, fertilize while you water, with Miracle-Gro® LiquaFeed® Tomato, Fruits & Vegetables Plant Food. Either way, be sure to follow label directions.

Choose a Good Container

  • Containers must have drainage holes and be large enough to accommodate the roots as they grow.
  • Put heavy pots on casters to make it easier to move them around.
  • Consider a spaghetti tube drip irrigation system if you have many pots clustered in a single place that is easy to run water to—it will make watering a breeze.
  • Get more tips on choosing the right container here.
Mulching herbs with white pebbles helps keep the foliage healthy in humid climates. The pebbles, which dry out fast, reflect light and keep the damp soil from creating even more humidity for the plants.
Mulching herbs with white pebbles helps keep the foliage healthy in humid climates. The pebbles, which dry out fast, reflect light and keep the damp soil from creating even more humidity for the plants.
In this lovely collection of containers, each pot is growing one type of herb, including rosemary, thyme, cilantro, and chives. This is a simple and classic design technique.
In this lovely collection of containers, each pot is growing one type of herb, including rosemary, thyme, cilantro, and chives. This is a simple and classic design technique.
A beautiful pot of mint adds edible allure to this gateway.
A beautiful pot of mint adds edible allure to this gateway.