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Growing Herbs – Pots

Posted on 04 February 2010

Now you don’t need to be a purist and just use one herb plant in each pot like some folks. You can let your imagination go and experiment with multiple herb plants in the same pot. This adds more interest to the pots, such as pops of color and texture.

To try this, you should pick herb plants that have similar earth and watering needs and then buy those that will look good together or have similar uses—like planting all your culinary herb plants together.

Here are a few herbs that I have found that will do well in containers:

• Sage: There are so many types of sage that you could grow only sage in your garden and still have a lot of colors, textures and sizes. Sage grows well from seeds, which can give you a head start on the growing season if you start early inside. Grow your sage in nice, large container that has good drainage and put it where it can get lots of sunshine. This is one of those that I plant for the leaves, so I lop off the flowers as soon as they bud to help the plant concentrate on the leaves, which I then cut off at the stem whenever I’m cooking.

• Scented geraniums: I like the bright, vibrant colors and smells of the scented geranium. I hope you enjoy scented geraniums as much as I do. Although they look very similar to floral (non-herbal) variety, these also grow well in containers that you can pick up at any nursery, home improvement or discount store. Put your plants in a container that has nice drainage and put it in a spot that will give your scented geranium a lot of sunshine. You can harvest the stems and foliage for cakes and teas. The petals are lovely in pressings.

• Cardamom: Not to sound like a radio commercial, but if you have bad breath, cardamom is the plant for you. This large houseplant-like herb will get big in the summer and will need to be brought indoors during winter months to thrive, so use a big container. You can harvest the seeds to add a little flavor of India to your rice and chicken dishes, soups and stews. In addition to helping with your bad breath, cardamom can help with your flatulence (not that you have flatulence) or least make your clothes smell nice.

• Lemon verbena: This is one of those essential herbs to have in your garden because you can use it in so many ways. Do not even think about beginning with seeds. Go out and get a young herb and get it going in a wide pot that will support the herb’s height. This plant likes full sun and well-drained soil. Watch your leaves for signs of drought because the leaves are the best part of the herb.

Some other herb plants that I’d suggest for you to start with in your container combinations are: thyme, mints, lavender, goldenrod, fennel and carrot.

Good luck with your plant gardening. Be sure to let me know how your plant garden grows.

Here is more information on Growing Herbs in Pots. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Herb Gardens.