Common Culinary Herbs
Different herbs have noticeably different growing preferences, which is worth knowing before planting a mixed herb container. Mediterranean herbs — like rosemary, thyme, and oregano — generally prefer plenty of direct sun and soil that dries out somewhat between waterings. Herbs like basil, mint, cilantro, and parsley tend to prefer more consistent moisture and, in basil's case especially, warmth.
Grouping herbs with similar water and light needs together, whether in the same container or the same section of a bed, tends to produce better results than mixing very different herbs and trying to satisfy all of them at once.
Growing Herbs Indoors
Indoor herb growing is popular, but many culinary herbs need more direct light than a typical indoor spot provides, especially compared to how they'd grow outdoors in full sun. A bright, south-facing windowsill is a reasonable spot for many herbs, but if your indoor light is more limited, herbs may grow more slowly or become leggy as they stretch toward available light. This isn't a sign you're doing something wrong — it's a reasonable outcome of limited light, and moving the plant to a brighter spot or supplementing with grow lights are the main ways to address it.
Container Herbs
Most culinary herbs do well in containers, which makes them a practical choice for balconies, windowsills, and small gardens alike. A few practical points:
- Herbs that spread vigorously, like mint, are often better kept in their own container rather than planted directly in a garden bed, where they can spread more than intended.
- A container with good drainage matters as much for herbs as for any other plant — waterlogged soil is a common cause of herb problems.
- Herbs generally don't need especially large pots, though enough room for roots to develop supports steadier growth.
Sunlight Requirements
Most culinary herbs prefer a good amount of direct sun — often several hours a day — though this varies somewhat by herb. Leafier, more tender herbs like cilantro and parsley can tolerate slightly less intense light than sun-loving Mediterranean herbs, but nearly all culinary herbs do better with meaningful direct light rather than deep shade.
Watering Herbs
As with most plants, checking soil moisture directly is more reliable than watering on a fixed schedule. Mediterranean herbs generally prefer to dry out somewhat between waterings, while herbs like basil and mint prefer more consistently moist soil. Overwatering is a common issue for herbs like rosemary and thyme in particular, since their preference for well-drained, slightly drier conditions is easy to overlook.
Harvesting Herbs
Regular light harvesting actually encourages most herbs to produce more growth, rather than weakening the plant, provided you don't remove too much at once. A general guideline is to avoid harvesting more than about a third of a plant at a time, giving it room to recover and continue growing.
Pruning Herbs
Beyond regular harvesting, occasional pruning helps keep herbs from becoming leggy or woody, particularly for herbs like basil, which can quickly become tall and sparse if left unpruned. Pinching off the growing tips periodically encourages a bushier, more productive plant rather than one tall, thin stem.
Simple Herb Garden Layouts
A practical starting layout doesn't need to be elaborate. A few reasonable options:
- A single window box with two or three herbs that share similar light and water needs
- Individual pots for herbs with different requirements, grouped by their needs rather than mixed together
- A small dedicated section of a garden bed, positioned in a sunny spot away from taller plants that might shade it