Container gardening, as the name suggests, is done in pots and containers. And there are an abundance of choices as to what kinds of containers to use for your favorite herbs. There are square or rectangular shaped ones, round ones, square planters, square planter boxes, even triangle boxes with a bit of an odd shape. You can find all sorts of colors, too. This is a very flexible way of gardening as you can mix and match different colors, too.
When choosing a herb container, make sure that it’s big enough to allow for your herbs to grow healthy and happily. You can always use larger pots for more intense growing conditions, so be sure you choose a pot that’s proportioned to your plants’ needs. It should have plenty of drainage holes at the bottom. But don’t get ones with no ventilation holes as they aren’t good for long term use. Make sure you plant your herbs in soil that’s well-drained, too.
Herb containers also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you’re sure to find one that’s ideal for your garden and your taste buds. Some of the most popular container options include hexagonal planters, which are great for growing many herbs together; a square pot is very easy to care for; and even triangular planters are great for herbs such as mint and basil. Choose your herb container based on the size of your garden and the types of herbs you want to grow.
Basil is a lovely plant to have in a container. Plus, it’s full of flavor! If you’re thinking of planting basil in a container, you have several ways to protect it from damage while keeping it healthy. Keep an eye on the soil around your plant. If it’s full of rocks or trash, it will require more watering than other, less compacted soil.
Chives are another favorite for herb gardens. They’re small and look good in small containers. However, to get the most from chives, be sure to keep them in good soil conditions. Chives tend to do well in sunny areas, so if your garden gets little to no sunshine, plant chives in large pots.
If you’re planting cilantro, you have to be sure that it’s in excellent soil condition. If you live in an area where the weather is often hot, try planting mint early in the spring. You can keep cilantro green by supplementing it with garlic and onions when they’re not growing. When the plants start to get a little bit larger, you can add more garlic and onion. To improve cilantro flavor, you can season it with herbs like tarragon, sage, oregano, and thyme. All of these herbs are great for planting in a cilantro herb container garden.
Another perennial that you can grow in a container is mint. Mint thrives in sunny environments and is ideal for a perennial pot, because it doesn’t need to be replanted every year. However, the mint will also do very well in other types of containers, as long as it gets plenty of sun and never gets too close to frost. To keep mint looking fresh, you can turn it black with a few black growing shoots when it starts to die back. Mint can also thrive in other types of pots, but it does better in sunny areas and prefers limestone.
Many herbs like to have good drainage. For this reason, you should plan on putting a drainage hole in your container. Be sure to put the drainage holes at the bottom of your container and make sure they’re large enough for your plant to drain. Herbs like to have access to water and drainage holes allow them to do so, and the larger the holes are, the better.