Fresh herbs are some of the most rewarding plants you can grow, and you don’t need a yard to do it.
A few containers on a patio, porch or sunny windowsill can keep your kitchen stocked with basil, thyme, mint and more for most of the year.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best herbs to grow in pots, which ones like sun and which handle some shade, and how to pair them so they thrive.
I’ll also cover pot sizes, potting mix, watering and winter care, so you can skip the common mistakes.
What Makes an Herb Good for Pots
A good container herb stays fairly compact, handles regular trimming and doesn’t need deep, wide-ranging roots. Most culinary herbs fit that description, which is why they’re such a natural match for pots.
Compact Growth and Shallow Roots
Herbs like thyme, chives, parsley and basil grow happily in a modest amount of soil. Their roots don’t need to travel far, so a pot gives them everything they need.
Some herbs get bigger over time. Rosemary and sage can turn woody and shrubby, so they need a larger pot as they mature.
They Thrive on Regular Harvesting
Many herbs actually grow better when you cut them often. Snipping the tips encourages branching, which gives you a bushier plant and more leaves.
That makes pots ideal. When your herbs sit right outside the kitchen door, you’ll harvest more often, and the plants will reward you for it.
The Right Container and Mix Matter
Herbs are only as good as the pot they’re planted in. My advice is to start with terracotta herb pots, since the porous clay lets soil breathe and dry out evenly. That’s a big plus for rosemary, thyme and other herbs that hate wet roots.
Pair those pots with a fast-draining potting mix. Never use garden soil in containers, because it packs down, drains poorly and can smother roots. If you’re brand new to this, my guide to starting an herb garden covers the basics from seed to harvest.
Best Herbs for Sunny Spots
Most popular kitchen herbs want full sun, which means at least 6 hours of direct light a day. If you have a south- or west-facing patio or balcony, these nine are among the best herbs to grow in pots.
Mediterranean Sun Lovers
These herbs come from hot, dry hillsides. They like lots of sun, a gritty fast-draining mix, soil that dries out between waterings and very little fertilizer.
- Rosemary: A woody perennial with a piney flavor. Hardiness varies by variety, and many types are perennial in zones 7 to 10. Give it a roomy pot, since it grows into a small shrub.
- Thyme: Low and spreading, with tiny leaves packed with flavor. It’s one of the toughest herbs for a pot and is perfect near the edge of a container.
- Oregano: A vigorous perennial that fills out quickly. Trim it often to keep it bushy and to stop it from getting leggy.
- Sage: Soft, gray-green leaves on a sturdy perennial plant. It’s drought tolerant once established and dislikes soggy soil.
- Lavender: Prized for its fragrance and flowers, plus it has culinary uses. It needs excellent drainage and does best with a dry, lean mix.
- Marjoram: A milder, sweeter cousin of oregano. It’s tender to cold, so many gardeners grow it as an annual in pots.
Sun-Loving Herbs That Like Moisture
Not every sun lover wants to dry out. These herbs need full sun but prefer evenly moist soil.
- Basil: The classic summer herb, and an annual. It loves heat and steady moisture, so it often struggles if it dries out or gets chilled. If yours is wilting or yellowing, here’s my guide on why a basil plant is dying.
- Dill: A feathery annual that grows tall and has a long taproot. Give it a deeper pot and stake it in windy spots.
- French tarragon: A perennial with a light licorice flavor. It likes sun and moderate moisture, and it’s usually grown from plants rather than seed.
Sunny Herbs at a Glance
| Herb | Life Cycle | Sun | Water Preference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosemary | Perennial | 6+ hours | Dry between waterings |
| Thyme | Perennial | 6+ hours | Dry between waterings |
| Oregano | Perennial | 6+ hours | Dry between waterings |
| Sage | Perennial | 6+ hours | Dry between waterings |
| Lavender | Perennial | 6+ hours | Dry between waterings |
| Marjoram | Tender perennial | 6+ hours | Dry between waterings |
| Basil | Annual | 6+ hours | Evenly moist |
| Dill | Annual | 6+ hours | Evenly moist |
| French tarragon | Perennial | 6+ hours | Moderate |
Best Herbs for Part Shade
Several herbs grow well with about 4 to 6 hours of sun, so a partly shaded porch or east-facing spot can still give you a good harvest. Mint, parsley, cilantro and chives are the stars here.
Leafy Herbs That Tolerate Less Light
These six herbs handle part shade and often appreciate a break from harsh afternoon sun in hot climates.
- Mint: Very forgiving and fast growing. It handles part shade well but spreads aggressively, so it always gets its own pot.
- Parsley: A biennial usually grown as an annual. Both flat-leaf and curly types do well in pots with evenly moist soil.
- Cilantro: A quick-growing annual that bolts, or goes to seed, in hot weather. A little afternoon shade can slow that down.
- Chives: A tough perennial with mild onion flavor. It comes back year after year, and its purple flowers are edible.
- Lemon balm: A mint-family perennial with a bright lemon scent. Like mint, it spreads and self-seeds freely.
- Chervil: A delicate annual with a subtle anise flavor. It prefers cool weather and some shade, and it bolts quickly in heat.
Getting the Most From a Shady Spot
Less sun means slower growth. Harvest a bit more lightly so plants can keep up.
Turn your pots every week or so, since herbs lean toward the light. If you’re working with limited space, my guide to a balcony herb garden explains how to use every bit of sun you have.
Keep in mind that north-facing balconies and windows are usually too shady for these herbs. Aim for spots with at least 4 hours of direct light.
Growing Herbs Indoors
Indoor light is weaker than you might think. Herbs need a south-facing window with 6 or more hours of light, or a grow light running about 12 to 16 hours a day.
Part-shade herbs like parsley, chives and mint tend to cope best indoors. Basil and rosemary often get leggy without strong light, so a grow light makes a big difference for them.
Herbs That Need Their Own Pot
A few herbs either spread too aggressively or grow too large to share space. Mint is the main one, but lemon balm, rosemary and dill also do best on their own.
Mint and Its Spreading Relatives
Mint sends out runners that take over any pot it shares. Within a season, it can crowd out basil, parsley or anything else nearby.
Give every type of mint its own container. That includes spearmint, peppermint and chocolate mint. Lemon balm belongs in the same category, since it’s a mint relative that spreads and seeds freely.
Even in its own pot, mint can escape through drainage holes if the pot sits on soil. Set it on a patio, deck or saucer to keep the roots contained.
Large and Woody Herbs
Rosemary can grow into a sizable shrub. Over time, its roots fill a pot and compete with smaller neighbors, so a solo container works best.
Sage and lavender also get bigger with age. They can share a large pot for a season or two, but they eventually prefer their own space.
Tall Herbs With Deep Roots
Dill grows tall and has a long taproot, so it needs a deeper pot. It can also shade shorter herbs nearby.
Dill is also a host plant for swallowtail caterpillars. If you spot them, consider letting them munch, since a dedicated pot makes sharing easier.
Pot Sizes and Potting Mix
Most herbs need a pot at least 6 to 8 inches wide with drainage holes, filled with potting mix. Larger herbs and mixed plantings need bigger containers.
Choosing the Right Pot Size
Bigger pots hold more soil, which means more moisture and less stress. Small pots dry out quickly, especially in summer.
| Planting | Minimum Pot Width | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single small herb (thyme, chives, parsley) | 6 to 8 inches | Works for windowsills |
| Single basil or cilantro | 8 inches | Basil grows bushy |
| Mint or lemon balm | 8 to 10 inches | Always solo |
| Rosemary, sage, lavender | 10 to 12 inches or more | Size up as they grow |
| Dill | 10 to 12 inches, deeper pot | Allows for taproot |
| Mixed herb planter (3 herbs) | 12 to 16 inches | Group by water needs |
Every pot needs drainage holes. Without them, water pools at the bottom and roots rot. If you love a pot with no holes, use it as a decorative cover for a plastic pot that drains.
Picking a Potting Mix
Use a quality potting mix made for containers. It’s light, holds moisture and air, and drains well.
For Mediterranean herbs, I like to make the mix grittier. Blend in some perlite or coarse sand so water runs through quickly.
Moisture lovers like basil, parsley and chives do well in a standard potting mix. Adding a little compost helps it hold water a bit longer.
Terracotta, Plastic or Fabric
Each pot material behaves differently. Choose based on what your herbs like.
- Terracotta: Breathes and dries out fast. Great for rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage and lavender.
- Plastic: Lightweight and holds moisture l