7 Easy-to-Grow Herbs for Your Container Garden Bliss

Contents

1 INTRODUCTION
2 WHY GROW HERBS IN CONTAINERS?
- - 2.0.1 Portability
  - 2.0.2 Better Control
3 KEYNOTES FOR CHOOSING HERBS FOR CONTAINERS
4 7 BEST HERBS FOR CONTAINER GARDENING
5 HOW TO CARE FOR HERBS IN CONTAINERS
6 COMMON CHALLENGES IN CONTAINER HERB GARDENING & SOLUTIONS
7 CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION

The popularity of container gardening is increasing daily. The market value of Container gardening products is around 18 billion dollars. The numbers show the popularity of Container Gardening throughout the world. The reason behind this growth is the increasing population and lack of spaces in urban areas.

People in urban areas and rural areas also adopt container gardening because of space constraints, ease of maintenance and budget-friendliness. There are many pros in Container gardening, but most people apart from pro gardeners, full-time home gardeners, plant enthusiasts and interior designers, are less aware of the enormous benefits and the varieties you can grow in pots.

Some of us think pots are for decorating plants, but it’s not true with the proper utilisation you can grow herbs, veggies, fruits, leafy greens, micro greens and flowers in container gardening. In this blog, I am going to talk about herbs that can be easily grown in pots., even in small spaces and pots.

And they’re easy to maintain. We’ve so many options in herbs, but here you are going to get some easy-growing varieties suggestions and how to care for and maintain any herb. You can grow any herbs of your choice with these tips and tricks, but trying and experimenting with these easy-growing herbs helps you to get some gardening knowledge that can be useful to grow hard-to-grow herbs.

WHY GROW HERBS IN CONTAINERS?

Space-savers

If you want to grow plants in pots., but don’t have much space choose herbs. They can thrive even in small 4-inch pots., they don’t require much care. Most of the herbs are shallow-rooted, which means you can grow them in shallow pots.

You can grow herbs in windowsills, and balcony grills using railing pots, hanging pots, and vertical planters. You can grow herbs in pots in any narrow small space and corner.

Portability

Also growing herbs in small pots offers the advantage of mobility., you can move them to get sunlight and place them back in some other spot. Also, if you facing extreme heat, cold, wind or rain you can easily move these herb pots indoors. (less damage)

Better Control

Have you ever noticed the benefit of growing plants in containers., you can have control over the soil type, and temperature, fewer weeds and a reduced number of pests.

In-ground gardening you can’t control the weather conditions or temperature, you’ve to spend a lot of money and time to improve the soil. In pots, it’s easy you buy nutrient-rich potting mix or you can make potting mix (read the recipe for potting mix).

KEYNOTES FOR CHOOSING HERBS FOR CONTAINERS

Climate Suitability for Herbs

Choosing Herbs based on your local climate and dominant temperature reduces the maintenance. Because buying plants that don’t fit your local climate means., you need to create an atmosphere for the plant’s needs.

For example., I’m in an area where I get 30 degrees Celsius of heat and above 40% humidity most of the year. And I have got an east-facing house with a partially open terrace. So, I should choose plants sun-loving plants that can thrive in hot weather. My plant preferences can’t suit someone who lives near cold mountains.

Container Size for Herbs

Most of the herbs are shallow-rooted and thrive in small pots. But some herbs are deep-rooted or thrive bigger in big pots. Also, consider plants’ mature height and size to avoid frequent pruning. I can give pot sizes for herbs in plant recommendations.

Sunlight Requirements of Herbs

So, identify your temperatures, weather type, humidity levels and sunlight map before choosing any plant not only herbs. There are two types of herbs, heat-loving herbs: Basil, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, and Lemongrass. Cold-loving herbs: Parsley, Cilantro, Chives, Mint and Lovage.

Placing heat-loving herbs in spots where you get 4+ hours of sunlight areas like balconies, patios setback areas and near compound walls. Placing Cold-loving herbs in partial light and dappled light areas is better.

Growth Habits of Herbs

This thing is tricky, only you can see an herb’s growth habit after it reaches the full mature height. I thought basil was an only upright herb until I had it in the bigger 12-inch pot and I realised it is also bushy. So, choose plants after knowing their growth habits/patterns.

Watering Needs

You can split the herbs into two types, Frequent watering herbs or Drought tolerant. Frequent watering herbs dry out quickly drought tolerant herbs die when you overwater. So, keeping similar water needs plants together easy to water.

Even a frequent water-needed herb can’t survive with root rot., so check the soil before watering. Also, growing frequent water needed herbs in self-watering containers helps to reduce the watering trips.

7 BEST HERBS FOR CONTAINER GARDENING

Basil

Basil thrives in 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit and enjoys 6+ hours of sunlight. A moist-loving plant but not waterlogged. The mature height of a Basil plant is 6-8 inches, upright and bushy plant. You need 6 inches for a small basil plant and you can replant it to 8 inches after reaching the mature height. Basils prefer well-draining soil with organic matter.

Rosemary

Rosemary is my favourite hair-growth herb. Rosemary is been used for cooking and medicinal purposes. But it’s an excellent hair booster and conditioner. Rosemarys grow at 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit and tolerate 6+ hours of sun. Rosemary is a drought-tolerant herb so water it when the soil is dry. The mature height of the plant is 2-4 feet and can be grown in 8 inches to 12 inches pots. A shrub family herb that loves sandy well-drained soil with neutral pH.

Oregano

Oregano is widely used for adding flavours in cooking and also for the preservation of food with the herb’s antioxidant and antibacterial qualities. Oregano is used for the anti-inflammation of wounds for medicinal purposes. This multi-tasking herb grows in 60-85 degrees Fahrenheit and 6+ hours of sunlight. Oregano grows nearly 2 feet as a bushy plant in 8-inch pots. It prefers well-draining loam soil.

Thyme

Thyme is used for garnishing and cooking and has sweet and savoury notes. Thyme improves the storage conditions because of the antibacterial contents. Thyme is also known for its medicinal use of treating the common cold as an essential oil. It can tolerate 60-85 degrees Fahrenheit, and 6+ hours of sunlight. A drought-tolerant low-growing spreading herb so, water it when you feel the soil dry. The plant reaches 6-12 inches and can be grown in 8-inch-deep pots with well-drained soil.

Parsley

Parsley is used for cooking and added as garnishes also has medical uses. Tolerates 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit, 3-6 hours of sun. The mature height of parsley is around 3 feet. This herb is a cold-loving climate herb, that needs moist soil, not soggy soil. Parsleys grow upright and bushy you need an 8-inch pot to grow the plant that prefers moist, rich and well-draining soil.

Cilantro

Cilantro aka coriander leaves is widely used in Indian cuisine, as a person who loves to cook, I always grow coriander in my garden, an easy-to-grow herb, that needs partial sun for 4-6 hours, and moist soil doesn’t need much fertilizing but keeps the soil fertile by incorporating compost. An upright plant with delicate stems. Thrives at 50-75 degrees of Fahrenheit. You need a wider pot to grow these herbs.

Chives

Chives are used for cooking and some medical purposes tolerate 4-6 hours of sun and 40-75 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature. Keep the soil moist, with well-drained soil and organic matter. Chives grow like grass around 1 foot. You need 8-inch pots to grow the herb.

HOW TO CARE FOR HERBS IN CONTAINERS

Herbs in pots need frequent watering because they dry quicker than ground. So, water the herbs when you see the top layer is dry.
Morning watering avoids water evaporation and gives time to absorb water.
Instead of overwatering try to water deeper, water until you see the bottom hole drains out the water.
Herbs need slow-release fertilizers, try to add compost and manure to the potting mix.
Feed organic fertilizers 4-6 weeks once, for fast-growing feed fertilizers in growing seasons.
Avoid synthetic fertilizers and overdose of fertilizers, it only leads the plants to suffer.
Prune the dead pars, and overgrown parts and pinching the head of the herbs improves the plant growth.
Harvest herbs in the morning to preserve the flavours in it.
You can harvest and dry the herbs and store them for months.

COMMON CHALLENGES IN CONTAINER HERB GARDENING & SOLUTIONS

Some herbs are naturally pest-resistant like rosemary and chives. But few of the herbs are vulnerable to pests like aphids, spider mites and whiteflies.

Pests

Aphids are soft-bodied tiny creatures that gather under the leaves and suck sap causing the leaves to curl and yellow. Spraying mild dish soap with water is an easy remedy to get rid of. Watering above the plants cleans the small pests and introduces ladybugs to control aphids.

Spider Mites (I hatred of this) have red or yellow specks from webbing on plants affecting leaves turning yellow and dripping. Using neem oil spray is the best organic solution to get rid of. Also wiping with damp clothes to disrupt the web.

Whiteflies are small white-winged insects that cause yellowing of leaves and wilting. Using neem oil spray and rinsing the plant is helpful.

Underwatering

Most edible plants and herbs are dry quicker and they need more water than foliage plants. You can see signs of underwatering like dry leaves, slow growth and wilting. Deep watering till you see the water come out in bottom drainage holes. Add a layer of mulch on top of the soil to prevent evaporation. If possible, adapt self-watering pots.

Root Bound

Root bonds are hard to find, we might not see the signs until the plant does not make it. Round bound is a soil bidding of roots that prevents holding the water and nutrition in the soil. Seeing roots through the drainage holes, fast water drains out, plants dry quickly and wilting are some signs of underwatering. If you see the signs repot the plant to a bigger pot or cut the little bit of roots in the bottom is helpful.

CONCLUSION

Having an herb garden is useful in multiple ways, they’re great looking foliage for decor and appealing, and herbs can be used in cooking and some medical purposes. Some of the herbs have a beautiful aroma so it makes you relaxed while you sit near the plant and this aroma keeps your garden and home pleasant.

There are a lot of options to explore in container gardening, herbs garden is one of them. Reading this blog helps you choose the plants, pots and right soil mix and watering techniques. Care and maintenance. The advantage of herbs is they’re best for beginner gardens easy to care for, and require less space.

Checkout our website mypotsgarden.com to learn more about container gardening in one place. Happy Gardening!