For a planter herb garden, choose a wide pot with drainage, fill with peat-free mix, set herbs at soil level, water deeply, and feed lightly.
Container herbs thrive when the pot is roomy, the mix drains well, and the routine stays steady. This guide shows the full setup: the planter size that works, the right mix, easy planting steps, and a care plan you can keep up on a busy week.
What You Need Before You Start
Gather a 12–24 inch wide planter with holes, saucer or plant stand, peat-free potting mix with perlite, slow-release granules, hand trowel, pruners, and a watering can. Pick 3–5 herbs that like the same sun and moisture. Mediterranean types (thyme, rosemary, oregano, sage) like it drier. Leafy cooks’ picks (basil, parsley, cilantro, chives) like more even moisture. Keep mint on its own to stop spreading roots.
Herb Grouping Guide For One Planter
Use this quick table to plan one mixed container. Solo pots still follow the same sun and water lines.
| Herb | Sun & Water | Planter Width |
|---|---|---|
| Basil | Full sun; steady moisture | 14–18 in with leafy herbs |
| Parsley | Sun to light shade; even moisture | 12–18 in with basil/chives |
| Cilantro | Sun; cool roots; even moisture | 12–16 in with parsley/chives |
| Chives | Sun; likes regular water | 12–18 in mixed leafy pot |
| Dill | Sun; even moisture | 14–18 in near parsley |
| Mint | Sun to part shade; moisture-loving | 10–14 in alone |
| Oregano | Full sun; drier side | 12–16 in with thyme/sage |
| Thyme | Full sun; drier side | 12–16 in with oregano |
| Rosemary | Full sun; drier side | 14–20 in with thyme/sage |
| Sage | Full sun; moderate water | 14–20 in with rosemary |
Planting A Herb Garden In A Planter Box: Step-By-Step
Follow these steps once and you’ll set yourself up for months of cut-and-come-again harvests.
Step 1: Pick A Pot That Breathes And Drains
Choose a wide planter so roots can spread and the mix stays cooler. Clay breathes and sheds moisture faster; resin keeps moisture longer and weighs less. The base needs holes. A saucer is fine if you tip out standing water after each soak. In hot regions, a wider, deeper pot helps buffer heat and cuts how often you water.
Step 2: Blend A Free-Draining Mix
Use a quality peat-free potting mix. Stir in perlite or grit to open the texture, especially for rosemary, oregano, thyme, and sage. Mixed leafy pots can keep more organic matter for water holding. A small dose of slow-release granules in the top half of the mix gives a gentle feed over weeks.
Step 3: Map The Layout
Set the tallest plant near the back or center. Trail the shortest near the rim so they spill and stay airy. Group herbs that like the same watering rhythm. Keep mint in its own container to avoid root takeover.
Step 4: Plant At The Right Height
Fill two-thirds with mix, set each herb at the same depth it grew in its nursery pot, and backfill. Firm lightly with your fingers to remove air pockets without compacting. Leave a one-inch gap under the rim for easy watering. Water until you see a steady trickle from the base.
Step 5: Water Well, Then Set A Rhythm
Right after planting, give a slow, deep soak. Then switch to a simple check: push a finger into the mix to the second knuckle. If it feels dry at that depth, water. In sunny spells, daily water may be needed. In cooler spells, two to three times a week can be enough. Even moisture keeps leafy herbs tender, while the woody crew prefers a brief dry spell between drinks. University guidance notes that container herbs often need frequent, even daily water in heat; see the fertilizing and watering container plants page for ranges and tips.
Step 6: Feed Light And Regular
Leafy herbs taste best with modest feeding. Use a diluted liquid feed every 2–4 weeks in growing months, or rely on a slow-release blend scratched into the top inch. Avoid heavy high-potash feeds that push flowers at the expense of leaves.
Step 7: Top With A Thin Mulch
Add a half-inch of fine bark or composted leaves to cut evaporation. Keep mulch a finger’s width from stems so crowns stay dry. For the drier herbs, use a sprinkle of grit as a cap to keep stems free and reduce splash on leaves.
Step 8: Start Harvesting Early
Begin light snips once each plant shows fresh growth. Pinch basil tips to keep it bushy. Trim parsley and cilantro by cutting outer stems at the base. For rosemary and thyme, take small sprigs from multiple points so the shape stays full.
Sun, Water, And Spacing Rules That Work
Most culinary herbs like 6–8 hours of direct light outdoors. Leafy types can handle light shade in hot zones. Space transplants so mature leaves just touch; crowding reduces airflow and invites mildew. Let water run through the pot at each session. Empty any standing water from saucers to keep roots from sitting in a puddle. The Royal Horticultural Society also recommends a gritty, well-drained mix and balanced feeding for containers; see the RHS herbs in containers guide for mix tweaks and aftercare.
Mixes That Match Herb Needs
Mediterranean Group (Drier Side)
Blend two parts potting mix, one part fine grit or perlite. Water when the top inch dries. Keep crowns slightly proud to avoid rot. This group handles wind and heat better when the pot is wide and not black.
Leafy Group (Even Moisture)
Blend three parts potting mix to one part compost. Add a handful of perlite to prevent compaction. Shade the pot wall in peak sun to protect roots. Keep harvests steady to drive fresh leaves.
Common Planting Layouts That Fit A Patio
One-Pot Pasta Bowl
Basil at the center, parsley and chives around, and a small dill near the back corner. Use a 16–20 inch pot, even moisture, and fortnightly light feed.
Mediterranean Trio
Rosemary as the anchor, with thyme and oregano at the rim. Use a 14–18 inch pot, gritty mix, and a deeper dry-down between watering.
Tea Time Duo
Mint alone in a 12–14 inch pot; lemon balm in a second pot. Keep both evenly moist and snip often to prevent legginess.
Weekly And Seasonal Care
Set a weekly sweep: deep water, quick prune, and a light check for pests. Rotate the planter a quarter turn for even light. In heat waves, shift the pot to a breezy spot with late-day shade. In cool spells, reduce watering and ease off liquid feed.
Quick Care Calendar For Planter Herbs
| Time | Task | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1–2 | Deep water; light tip snips | Helps branching and root set |
| Week 3–6 | Feed lightly; steady harvest | Keep mix moist, not soggy |
| Midsummer | Trim back by one-third | Prevents woody, leggy growth |
| Late Season | Final tidy; dry extra sprigs | Air-dry bunches out of sun |
| Cold Snap | Move to shelter | Group pots; cover on frosty nights |
Smart Combos And What To Separate
Match plants by thirst. Basil, parsley, cilantro, and chives play well together. Rosemary, thyme, oregano, and sage form an easy trio. Keep mint solo in a pot with a clean rim inside the planter, or give it its own container nearby. If one plant needs more water than its neighbors, tuck a small self-watering insert near its root zone to localize moisture.
Pruning And Harvest Tips For Flavor
Short, frequent snips keep herbs compact and tasty. Take the top third of stems, not tiny single leaves. Cut just above a leaf pair to trigger branching. Avoid stripping one side of a plant. If a plant throws flower buds and you want leaves, pinch buds at sight. For seeds from dill or cilantro, let a few umbels mature and bag them to catch dry seed.
Soil Health In A Pot
Container mix loses nutrients with each watering. Top-dress every month with a thin layer of compost, then water in. If growth fades midseason, refresh by teasing out a few root-bound sections at the rim and sliding in fresh mix. Do this in the cool part of the day and water well.
Watering Gear That Makes It Easy
A rose-tip watering can gives a gentle shower that settles mix without splash. For set-and-forget peace of mind, a small drip line on a timer delivers slow, even moisture right at the surface. If you use a saucer, lift the pot on feet so the drain holes stay clear, and tip any leftover water after each session.
Fixes For Common Problems
Use this table to diagnose issues fast and get back to steady growth.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow, soft leaves | Waterlogged mix | Tip saucer, add more perlite, space waterings |
| Wilting at midday | Heat stress | Move to late-day shade; deep soak in morning |
| Leggy basil | Low light; missed pinching | Pinch tips weekly; rotate pot for sun |
| Woody thyme stems | Old growth, light cuts | Shear by one-third; let regrow |
| Mint invading neighbors | Spreading roots | Pot mint alone or in a root barrier |
| Spots on leaves | Wet foliage, poor air | Water at soil line; thin stems; give space |
| Slow growth | Nutrients leached | Apply light liquid feed or refresh top mix |
| Bitter cilantro | Heat; plant too old | Succession plant; give part shade in heat |
| Droop after planting | Transplant shock | Shade for two days; keep evenly moist |
Winter And Shoulder Season Moves
Where winters bite, slide pots against a wall and group them to share warmth. Wrap the planter with burlap on cold nights. Trim lightly and pause feeds. Bring tender picks like basil indoors to a bright window or under a small grow light. Water less, only when the top inch goes dry.
Flavor Boosts From Smart Harvesting
Harvest early in the day once dew dries. That’s when leaves are crisp and aromatic oils are high. Rinse, pat dry, and store in a loose, vented container in the fridge, or air-dry small bundles in shade. Freeze chopped herbs in olive oil in an ice tray for long-lasting flavor bombs you can pop into a pan.
When To Repot Or Refresh
If roots circle the pot or water runs off fast, it’s time to repot. Step up one size and refresh at least half the mix. For woody herbs, trim the root ball by a half-inch all around and replant in the same pot with fresh mix. Water well and skip feed for two weeks while new roots set.
Simple Design Touches
Use a neutral, wide planter so leaves shine. Tuck a few stones on the surface to hold mulch. Pair green herbs with a terracotta pot for a classic look, or a light resin pot to keep roots cooler in peak sun. Add plant labels so you can track harvest dates and note which combo you loved this season.
Your First Weekend Project Plan
Day one: buy a 16–20 inch pot, quality peat-free mix, and five herbs that share sun needs. Day two: blend mix, plant at soil level, water to drain, and set a reminder for a mid-week moisture check. By next weekend, start light snips and you’ll taste the payoff in a pan sauce, salad, or skillet eggs.
Extra Reading From Trusted Guides
For detailed watering ranges, feeding ideas, and container tips backed by trials, review the University of Minnesota container plants guide. For mix tweaks and herb-by-herb notes tailored to pots, see the RHS container herbs page. Use both to fine-tune your local setup.