We are huge fans of growing herbs in containers both outdoors and indoors. Depending on the herbs you want to grow, you can group them in containers according to water needs, so you can water less and grow more. Some herbs even taste better when "stressed" a little so they produce more oils. Not that you want to stress all of your herbs- but you can plan for harvesting the best tasting herbs that way.

How to choose which container to grow herbs in outdoors.

You can "plant" herbs in almost anything that is large enough to hold soil and the herb. I've seen everything from the whimsical old boots, old bbq, old wash tubs to more common traditional flower pots. Most gardeners, want to not just decorate the yard by panting herbs, you want to select a container that you herb will actually grow in.

Types of containers:

Self-watering containers

They provide a consistent source of water as long as you keep the reservoir full.
Water comes to the herb through the roots not by above the plant.

Herbs that grow well in self-watering containers: Basil, chives, lemon balm, oregano, mint, thyme, rosemary, sage, marjoram, tarragon, garlic.

Herbs to avoid growing in self-watering containers: Dill, Cilantro.

Most popular Self-Watering Containers

Traditional plant pots

Have holes in the bottom so the excess water can drain out, so the plant does not get water-logged. However, the holes can also allow for nutrients to be lost also.
Ideal for herbs that like the wet-dry cycle. Many herbs thrive when the soil dries between watering.

Where to place the containers in your yard- Full sun herbs, basil, celery, cilantro (for seeds), dill, fennel, marjoram, peppers (dried to make spices), tarragon. Sun/shade herbs arugula, cilantro (for leaves), oregano, parsley, sage. You might consider grouping them by water requirements.

What type of soil and fertilizer to use:

Soil or growing medium: Use a commercial "container" mix or make your own from potting mix, potting soil, peat, vermiculite or pearlite and some lime stone, humace and or compost

Fertilizer: Be cautious about using too much fertilizer. When growing flowers fertilizer produced larger flowers and bushier plants, however with herbs it produces bushier plant too but not flavorful ones. In the herb world- bigger is not necessarily better! If you do want to use some fertilizer, make sure the three elements are the same (5-5-5 or 10-10-10), please remember that a little goes a long way.

Tips for growing Basil in containers-For the best tasting basil, allow it to dry between watering. I am not talking about a full dry and wilt, just not constantly moist. Basil likes the sun and hot weather so once it drops to 50 outside- bring your basil plant indoors or harvest all the leaves. Also, choose a container that is probably a little larger than you might think, especially if growing purple basil. We grew some last year that was larger then the shrubs under the windows. Other basil that grows well: Genovese, osmin purple (my favorite), spicy bush basil, lime basil and cinnamon basil.

Tips for growing borage in containers- This is our first year to grow borage, not sure really if it's technically an herb or edible flower- either way, its pretty and tastes like cucumbers. Can grow two-three feet so choose a large self-watering pot. Do not fertilize and make sure it gets its fair share of water. We pick the flowers and freeze into ice cubes for pretty additions to summer drinks.

Borage Certified Organic Seeds

Tips for growing Chives in containers-hardy perennial, will grow from seed but takes one year to be able to harvest. Keep watered and in sunny location.

Tips for growing cilantro in containers-Cilantro is one of our favorite herbs to grow, not only it is easy but you can harvest the leaves and use the seeds-coriander (full sun) in baking and cooking. Perfect for growing in Texas since it likes to be on the dryer side- not for self watering pots (root rot). Depending on if you want to harvest leaves or seeds place the pot in the shade or sun.

Seeds of Change Certified Organic Santo Cilantro Seeds

Tips for growing dill in containers-Photo shows our dill that just went to seed. Perfect timing for 4th of July pickles. We grow dill in plant pots, the self watering containers provide too much water. Dill has a long root so if you are transplanting into pots outdoors, make sure you do it while its still small. Dill likes warm weather and soil on the dryer side. We plant dill in pots of three each year. One for us, one for the beneficial insects who eat aphids and one for the butterflies. Depending on what type of dill you like to eat- leaves or seeds plant bouquet or fern leaf dill.

Tips for growing fennel in containers-Grow in traditional flower pot to keep from getting water logged. Can grow to a large herb about 2 feet high. Likes warm weather, plant in full sun, allow soil to dry between watering. No fertilizer but does like a little lime in the potting mix. If you like to have butterflies in your garden- plant extra fennel. The "parsley worm" likes to use at its host plant. Last year we planted a garden full of fennel- you have never seen more butterflies or happy children!

Our fennel growing currently.

Parsley "worm" its a beautiful caterpillar looks similar to the one that makes monarch butterflies.

Butterfly shortly after it came out of the cocoon. Picture does not do it justice.

Maddie holding one of the many butterflies from fennel plants.

Tips for growing Lemongrass in containers-Best grown in self watering pots, outdoors when warm in a sunny location and move inside during the winter. If you can't find lemongrass at your local nursery, look at an Asian market in the produce dept. You can plant the "stubs" or stems in a rich soil. There are two types of lemongrass : Cymbopogon citratus- culinary herb and C. flexxuosis for oil in soap, and perfumes.

Tips for growing Lemon Verbena in containers- Opt for a traditional pot, does not like too much water on roots. Unlike most herbs, this one does like seaweed fertilizer every 6 weeks. Likes warm weather, bring in before first frost. Goes dormant in winter, provide sunlight, little water- will "come alive" again in the spring. Loved by spider mites and white flies- can use insecticidal soap to kill them.

Tips for growing marjoram in containers-Can grow in either self-watering or traditional pot. Likes warm weather.

Tips for growing mint in containers-We love mint. It grows well and has so many uses. It can be invasive so planting in pots keeps your mint growing where you want it. Mint is one of those plants that all you have to do is give it basic care. That's it. Perennial in zone 8. Easy to start new plants with cuttings. Types of mint we like best-Apple mint, chocolate mint, peppermint and pineapple mint.

Tips for growing Oregano in containers-Best for traditional plant pot does not like wet feet. Place container in full sun. Grows from seeds or cuttings. Can overwinter indoors. Best feature of this plant is the less you love it...the more it grows. We have some oregano that someone gave us and we planted it into the side of our patio into the holes in cement blocks. Not only did it come back from last year but it is almost 2 feet tall. Types of oregano-golden oregano and greek oregano we have grown successfully.

Tips for growing parsley-Will grow in either self watering or traditional pot. Does like water but not so much that it will be difficult to manage in a plant pot. Seed can take a long time to germinate, might want to start with plant.

Tips for growing rosemary in containers-Likes the soil on dryer side. In zone 8 our rosemary has been a perennial (knock on wood) it has some back in our herb garden and in the pot for two years now.

Resources for growing herbs in containers:

University of Minnesota Extension Office Herb Container Growing Guide