Best Tips for Container Herb Gardening
There’s something incredibly satisfying about snipping fresh basil for your pasta or mint for your mojito—especially when it comes straight from your own garden. Whether you’ve got a spacious backyard or just a sunny windowsill, starting a herb garden is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to bring a bit of green into your life. But before you dive into the soil, a little know-how goes a long way. In this post, we’re sharing ten practical, beginner-friendly tips that’ll help you grow a thriving herb garden—no green thumb required.
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Pinterest Challenge
It’s time for another Pinterest Challenge—our monthly get-together where a group of blogger friends and I team up to share fun and creative ideas!
Our sweet friend Cindy at @countyroad407 starts us off with an inspiring image and we all add our own spin.
This month’s inspiration comes from the lovely Laura at Dishfunctional Designs, who styled a vintage door with gorgeous blooms in rustic, timeworn containers—it’s pure garden magic. I can’t wait to show you our take on it and how we brought that same charm to life!
If you’re visiting from my friend Cindy’s blog @ countyroad407, welcome, I am excited you are here. I have no doubt you loved the beautiful container garden ideas she shared. She is one talented blogger.
There’s nothing like fresh herbs at your fingertips, and container gardening makes it easy, no matter the size of your space. In this project, I’ll show you how I created a charming vertical herb garden using vintage pieces and a little creativity.,
10 Must Have Tips for Herb Container Gardening
Springtime is here, and I love planting fresh herbs for summertime cooking.
Inspired by Laura’s image, I realized I had everything I needed to create a vertical herb garden. I had a few sentimental buckets left over from the Altadena fires—originally used to make a garden wreath for my girlfriend—and decided to give them new life. With a little creativity and effort, they became the perfect pieces for a vertical herb display.
Materials You’ll Need to Make A Herb Garden
Additional Tools You’ll Need
10 Tips for Planting an Herb Garden in Containers
1. Choosing the Right Containers
When choosing a container for your herb garden, start with size—most herbs need a pot that’s at least 6–12 inches deep with good width for spreading roots. Make sure it has drainage holes to prevent root rot. The material matters too: clay is breathable but dries quickly, plastic holds moisture, and metal or wood have their own pros and cons. Think about where your herbs will live—sunny windowsill, patio, or balcony—and pick containers that fit the space and are easy to move. Lastly, choose a style that suits your taste and consider self-watering options if you want low-maintenance care.
2. Use High Quality Potting Mix
When it comes to growing herbs in containers, starting with the right soil makes all the difference. A high-quality potting mix, like Miracle-Gro, gives your herbs the nutrients they need to thrive. But to really help those roots breathe and prevent soggy soil, it’s a good idea to mix in something like perlite or coco fiber. These additions improve drainage and aeration, creating a light, fluffy soil that’s just right for happy, healthy herbs.
3. Pick the Right Herb Garden Plants
Planting herbs with similar needs together is the secret to a healthy, thriving herb garden. Here are some grouping examples and the reasons why they work well together:
Mediterranean Herbs (Love Sun + Dry Soil)
Examples:
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Lavender
- Sage
Why it works:
These herbs come from similar climates and all thrive in full sun and well-drained, slightly dry soil. They don’t like “wet feet,” so grouping them keeps watering needs consistent.
💦 Moisture-Loving Herbs (Prefer More Water + Partial Sun)
Examples:
- Basil
- Parsley
- Cilantro (Coriander)
- Chives
Why it works:
These herbs like richer soil and more consistent moisture. They also tolerate a bit of shade, making them ideal for morning sun and afternoon shade spots.
⚠️ Bonus Tip: Watch for Bullies
- Mint and oregano can dominate containers, so they’re best in their own pots or with hardy neighbors.
- Avoid planting herbs with very different water or sun needs together (e.g., rosemary and basil).
🌿 Shade-Tolerant or Cooler-Climate Herbs
Examples:
- Mint
- Lemon Balm
- Chervil
Why it works:
These herbs can get scorched in full sun and prefer cooler, more shaded areas. Plus, mint is super invasive—growing it in its own pot or grouped with similar needs keeps it from taking over.
4. Place the Herbs In the Correct Place to Thrive
Not all herbs thrive in the same amount of sunlight, so it’s important to match your plant choices to your container garden’s sun exposure. Sun-loving herbs like rosemary, thyme, and basil need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, while others like parsley, cilantro, and mint can tolerate partial shade. Understanding your space—whether it gets full sun, part sun, or mostly shade—helps you choose the right herbs that will flourish in those conditions.
5. Water Consistently
How often you water your herbs depends on the weather, what zone you live in, the size of your containers, and the type of herbs you’re growing. In general, herbs like to be kept consistently moist but not soggy. A good rule of thumb is to water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. During hot summer days, you might need to water daily, especially for sun-loving herbs in smaller pots. Just be sure your containers have good drainage so the roots don’t sit in water.
6. Fertilize Lightly
Herbs don’t need a lot of fertilizer—too much can youreduce their flavor. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4–6 weeks is usually enough. You can also use an organic option like fish emulsion or compost tea for a gentle nutrient boost. Just remember, with herbs, less is often more!
7. Watch for Pests and Diseases
When growing herbs in containers, it’s important to watch out for a few common pests and diseases. Aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and fungus gnats are the most frequent pests—you might see tiny bugs on the leaves or flying around the soil. They can cause damage like curled leaves, yellow spots, or stunted growth. Neem oil, sticky traps, and keeping your plants clean and well-spaced can help keep them under control. On the disease side, watch for powdery mildew (a white coating on leaves), root rot from overwatering, and leaf spots. To prevent these issues, make sure your containers have good drainage, avoid getting the leaves wet when watering, and give each plant enough space for air to circulate. With a little attention, your herb garden can stay healthy and productive
8. Harvesting Herbs
The best way to harvest fresh herbs from your container garden is to snip them in the morning after the dew has dried—this is when their oils are most flavorful. Use clean, sharp scissors or garden shears and cut just above a leaf node to encourage bushier growth. Always take only about a third of the plant stays healthy and keeps producing.
9.Use Companion Planting -best herbs to grow in pots together
Companion planting is a great way to put herbs with the same needs together. Here are a few suggestions.
🌞 Basil + Parsley + Chives
- These all enjoy moist soil and plenty of sun.
- Basil can repel aphids and enhance the growth of its companions.
- Great for culinary use—perfect pizza/herb trio!
🌿 Thyme + Oregano + Rosemary + Sage
- These herbs prefer drier soil and full sun.
- All are Mediterranean herbs and thrive together.
- They won’t mind being on the same watering schedule.
🍋 Lemon Balm + Mint (with a warning!)
- Both love moist soil and partial sun, but mint is super invasive.
- Keep them in separate containers, but they make a great duo for teas and insect-repellent benefits.
- Lemon balm can attract pollinators, mint deters pests.
🌱 Cilantro + Dill + Basil
- These are fast-growing herbs that do well in cooler temps and similar watering conditions.
- Good for spring/fall container planting.
- Dill and cilantro can also help attract beneficial insects.
10. Creative Container Herb Gardening Ideas
Think outside the box when creating garden spaces by using salvaged architectural pieces, like an old door or vintage window. Not only do they help define your garden and create vertical growing space, but they also add unique charm and character to your outdoor space.
This door had its original purple paint, but I wanted it to better match my garden while keeping that vintage charm. I layered a few different paint colors, adding crackle medium between the darker layers to create an authentically aged effect. Then, while the final coat was still wet, I scraped some of it off to reveal the colors beneath. The result is a beautifully weathered, textured look that blends perfectly with the garden.
Tip from wendy’s garden:
🪴 Use architectural salvage pieces as garden focal points—things like old iron gates, vintage windows, weathered doors, or even broken columns can instantly add charm and character to your garden.
Attaching the pots to the door
This was a simple process. First, we drilled a pilot hole in the door where we wanted to mount the container. Then, we drilled a hole in the container itself, placed a wood screw through it, and secured the pot directly to the door.
Lastly, we drilled a hole or two in the bottom of the containers for proper drainage.
II’ve always loved old picket fences and enjoy finding creative ways to repurpose them in my garden. Here are a couple of fun ideas to give that old fence new life: 1) Turn fence posts into a charming flower pot—perfect for herbs or seasonal blooms. 2) Build a rustic garden easel that can hold potted herbs or small planters right on the ledge.
I absolutely love gardening with all kinds of vintage and weathered containers. Whether it’s an old bucket, a rusty chair, or even a repurposed bathtub, there’s something incredibly charming about giving these pieces new life filled with beautiful plants. They add so much character and personality to the garden.
Other Spring Projects from WM Design House
If you love this gardening post enjoy some of my, you might also enjoy some of my other favorite seasonal arrangements.
Are Zinnias Perennials? How To Grow Beautiful Zinnias
How to Make A DIY Moss Frame Art Gallery
How to Upcycle a Picket Fence into a Creative Easel
Wrapping Up
Container gardening with herbs is a fun and rewarding way to bring fresh flavor to your doorstep. With the right soil, sunlight, and care, your herbs will thrive all season long.
That’s all from me, but there’s still plenty of container gardening inspiration to explore! Up next is my dear friend Michelle @ Thistlekeylane. You won’t want to miss the creative ideas she has for saving space with her container gardening.
Happy Gardening!
Did you make this craft?
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More about me!
Hello, I’m Wendy – a dedicated homemaker with a deep passion for decorating, gardening, cooking, and crafting. I find joy in harmonizing beautiful elements to fashion a space that is both comfortable and inspiring. I will help you create a beautiful home, one project at a time.
You nailed the challenge Wendy! The door makeover is fabulous, and the containers are brilliant. I love how you’re giving them a new purpose for your herbs too!
I wish you lived near me so we could chat for a long time about plants. I want so badly to be surrounded by a lush garden and have tried so many times with very little success. Actually, NO success. Thank you for the great tips! And I will mind the bullies. 😉 Love your planters. Your challenge looks fantastic! Each container is magnificent. Thank you for being with us today. pinned
What a treat that would be if you lived close to me. We would have so much fun together in the garden and crafting! I am glad to have been able to participate. I love these challenges.
Hi Wendy! I always plant basil, rosemary, and mint each year so this gives me some great ideas for making them look great! Love the containers that you used! Great post!
Does your mint come back every year, Missy? I am always afraid to plant it as it can get so out of control. Do you cut yours back?
So, so, so many great tips!!! You are brilliant my friend.
Thank you, Diane, it was an enjoyable project this month!