A container garden is ideal for small spaces and herbs. It requires little nutrients and makes the best plants for a small garden. Building a container garden indoors or outdoors lets you enjoy fresh produce with minimal work and time. On the plus side, you don’t have to worry about your small garden taking over what little space you have!

Why grow herbs in containers and planter boxes?

The best herbs are those you’ve grown in your garden. With an herb kit, it’s possible to harvest fresh, delicious herbs every day of the week right outside your door. Because most herbs do not grow too big, they make the perfect plants for a container garden.

Unlike most garden plants, herbs could thrive in small spaces as long as their basic growing needs are met – like ample sunlight and moisture. That said, some herbs do grow aggressively, like mint but nothing that a little hand pruner cannot handle. Growing herbs in containers and planter boxes make controlling plant growth easier.

What type of containers should you use?

The best pots for a container garden are ceramic and terra cotta pots as well as planter boxes and raised plant beds made from wood. Pots made from pressed paper could also work with some herbs. Plant boxes made from cedar and redwood are the most durable and resistant to decay but are expensive. Elevated and tiered garden beds made from 100% non-toxic fir wood like the ECOgardener raised beds are also perfect for a small garden. These are durable, resilient, and space-efficient!

Plastic plant pots are cheap and widely available, but they do not make the best plant containers because these do not can become brittle and crack over time, especially when exposed to cold temperatures or high heat. Also, most plastic pots are not very eco-friendly, and you’re better off upcycling plastic containers in your home into planters.

Tin cans, lotion bottles, old candleholders, and ceramic pots can be turned into plant pots for a container garden. As long as the pots can drain water from the soil, they’ll do well as plant pots.

What kind of soil is best?

Soil taken from the garden is too heavy to be used in a pot for a container garden or raised bed.

Potting mix is the best soil for all kinds of raised beds, planter boxes, and plant containers. Potting soil is fluffy, well-draining, and lightweight – it’s the ideal soil for flowering plants, vegetables, and herbs. It’s also perfect for acid-loving plants. Amending the potting mix with a bit of peat moss will improve the soil’s ability to hold moisture and texture.

Which herbs are best for containers and planter boxes?

Parsley: Parsley is easy to grow and thrives in a sunny spot. Two of the most common varieties for cooking are Italian or flat-leaf parsley and curly parsley. This herb prefers the full sun but could grow in a partly shady spot. It’s a hardy herb, so it will survive frost. Being a biennial plant, parsley will regrow for two years, but the leaves can turn bitter when it does.

Mint: Often used to add a zesty freshness to desserts and drinks, mint doesn’t take much to thrive in various growing conditions. It’s low maintenance and absolutely beautiful as a decorative plant. It does thrive in the full sun but will tolerate some shade. Some mint varieties are low spreaders; others are tall and leggy, so choose the combination that fits your space. Because mint is an aggressive, almost invasive grower, pruning will keep the shape in check.

Oregano: One of the most low-maintenance herbs to grow in a container garden is oregano. It thrives in the full sun like most herbs but can withstand some shade. It doesn’t require much watering or fertilizing. Oregano plays well with most plants, so it’s a terrific addition to an herb garden of any size. It spreads nicely and won’t overtake the entire space. You can grow it in a cool spot over winter or propagate it from cuttings. Oregano spreads as it grows, making it an ideal “spiller” accent in a mixed container.

Basil: An herb garden is simply not complete without basil. A staple for many kitchens, basil is almost effortless to grow from seed. It will thrive in neglect, even preferring infrequent watering to regular watering. Water only when the soil is dry to the touch and leave to grow in a sunny spot. What basil hates is cramped space, so you need to give it plenty of room for optimal air circulation.

Rosemary: Aromatic rosemary is a staple in most kitchens. There are two varieties of rosemary used for cooking, the creeping and upright variety. Both are ideal for container gardening. Rosemary requires the full sun to grow and water only when the soil is dry to the touch (don’t let the soil dry out completely). In zone 9 regions, rosemary can be grown outdoors all year round.

Dill: A tall, willowy herb that’s so easy to grow from seed. Dill thrives in the full sun and loves rich, lightweight, well-drained soil. It plays well with different plants and will attract beneficial critters in the garden, including pollinators and swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.

Thyme: An aromatic herb that pairs well with various herbs. Thyme is a staple in holiday cooking, so it pays to have a fresh supply on hand. This woody perennial thrives in neglect. It’s so hard to kill because it’s drought-tolerant, grows low, and can tolerate shade. Thyme doesn’t grow too big or spread quickly, so that it will do well in a container garden.

Sage: Beautiful, fragrant, and SO easy to grow, sage doesn’t require frequent watering and could tolerate some shade. Like many herbs, sage doesn’t require heavy feeding or frequent fertilizer use. In fact, too much fertilizer will cause its potent flavor to dull. Sage loves the full sun, and the foliage is quite striking, especially when mixed with other potted herbs.

Buy The Best Herbs That You Can Grow In A Container Garden

This is our round up for the list of best herbs to grow in a container garden. Most of these herbs are resilient and incredibly drought tolerant, which can grow in poor soil. They don’t require much fertilizer, and could tolerate some shade. What it needs is good drainage to prevent root rot.

As you can see, most herbs do not require a lot of space or too much babying to thrive. And if you don’t have much room to spare, you can grow multiple herbs in a large pot.
Growing herbs from seed using an herb kit is a great start because you have all the tools needed to build a beautiful garden indoors and outdoors.

Get your herb kit here, and you will never buy premium herbs at a supermarket ever again!