7 Perennial Herbs Perfect For Pots – Enjoy Aromatic Patio Harvests Year After Year
Discover the best perennial herbs to grow in pots. Ideal for small spaces, these low-maintenance plants offer year-round flavor and greenery on your patio.
There is simply no substitute for fresh herbs. Dried herbs are handy but they lack freshness and true flavor. Growing herbs in containers just outside the door will keep those flavors in easy reach and allow you to eliminate pesticides from your culinary herb garden.
Perennial herbs will provide you with season after season of delightful scents and tastes. Many of the most beautiful herbs also produce flowers that are magnets for beneficial insects.
The majority of perennial herbs are evergreen and may be used throughout the cold season for a touch of freshness unmatched by dried herbs.
Your container choice is critical to the success of a perennial herb garden. There are many fantastic herb garden planter ideas to explore, but whatever style you choose, ensure the container is big enough to accommodate the growing plant, and has ample drainage holes.
These perennial herbs will provide years of flavor to dishes, but check the plant is compatible with your USDA hardiness zone before investing. In colder areas, potted herbs may be overwintered indoors.
Grow your own heavenly herbs from seed with our top recommended varieties to enrich your recipes. Many herbs are easy to grow and low-maintenance, providing maximum reward with minimal effort.
1. Rosemary
Rosemary adds such a lovely flavor to potatoes, soups, and stews. It has a floral scent and soft green needle-like leaves which are evergreen. The leaves can be used in cooking either whole or chopped.
When growing rosemary in containers, plant it in a peat-free soil mix that will drain freely. The herb does well in rich, well-draining soil. You can use any type of container, as long as it has adequate drainage holes. Plants need moisture during the warm seasons but do not allow the container to sit in water. A terracotta pot will help aid in the evaporation of excess moisture to prevent wet roots.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
Rosemary may need a little attention after winter, pruning away dead or damaged stems. Plants can be pruned and shaped into a topiary if you wish.
Bring the plant under cover for added protection in the winter. Rosemary is hardy to USDA zone 6, where it should be heeled in or have the container wrapped in burlap or bubble wrap.
2. Mint
Mint grows very well in the garden or in containers. In fact, you may prefer containers since mint can escape a garden site and colonize other spaces very readily.
The herb is hardy to USDA zones 4-11. It will grow in almost any soil, even sand, but it must be kept moist. When the top surface of the soil feels dry, water deeply.
Mint prefers full sun to partial shade. The plant will need to be repotted every couple of years. It may be pruned to keep it small if you desire.
The leaves can be frozen, used fresh, or dried. As well as adding freshness to food and drinks, mint is also a wonderful insect repellent.
3. Thyme
Thyme is a dainty Mediterranean herb that is usually evergreen. Plants do not get very big and they have a shallow root system, making them ideally suited to growing in containers.
While thyme is hardy to USDA zone 4, it will appreciate some mulch or being brought under cover for winter in cooler zones.
The herb likes well-draining, almost gritty soil. A bit of sand or pebbles added to the potting mix will do nicely.
Thyme can withstand periods of drought but the best growth will occur with regular watering. Water deeply, but infrequently, and make sure there are plenty of drainage holes in the container.
Plants don't really need fertilizer but will like some compost tea or other gentle nutrient solution in early spring.
Thyme leaves are a bit finicky to pull off but you can put the entire stem in soups and stews and fish it out after the leaves have cooked off.
4. Sage
Sage is a perennial herb hardy to USDA zones 5-8. In cooler climates, it will partially defoliate in freezes, but will rapidly grow new leaves as the temperature warms up. There are many types of sage plants, in multiple sizes and with different flower hues.
When growing sage in pots, select a container that will allow the plant to grow a bit. It should have plenty of drainage holes since sage hates wet feet. The plant can be grown in purchased potting soil or in garden soil. If the soil is very heavy, add in some perlite, sand, or vermiculite.
Sage plants should be watered when the soil is dry to the touch. Water deeply and infrequently. In the winter, the plant needs about half as much water.
Overwinter the container in a hole dug in the ground or insulate the pot with burlap or other material. Fertilize the plant with diluted houseplant fertilizer once in spring.
5. Oregano
What would pizza or spaghetti and meatballs be without oregano? This delightfully aromatic herb is native to warm climates and hardy in USDA zones 5-9. It will remain evergreen in all but the coldest regions.
The herb will not tolerate wet soil at the root zone and should have plenty of drainage holes in its container and well-draining soil. It is not fussy about the type of soil but heavy soils should be amended with some gritty matter.
There are many types of oregano from which to choose, each with a slightly different flavor profile. A mature plant will get quite tall and may need a cage or staking.
6. Marjoram
Marjoram is a half-hardy perennial. That means it will be perennial in USDA zones 9-11 but will be half-hardy in temperate regions and an annual in very cold locations. However, when grown in a container, it may be brought indoors for winter to preserve the plant.
An aromatic stewing herb, marjoram adds a subtle flavor but incredible fragrance to food. It is a drought-tolerant plant that will need regular water as it establishes but can be allowed to dry out for longer periods once established.
Use good potting soil for marjoram containers and pinch the plant in the early spring to help it form more compact growth.
7. Bay
Bay leaves come from a little tree called the bay laurel. Some cooks scoff at the usefulness of bay leaves in their soups and stews, but just leave it out and you will notice. Bay deepens flavors and matures the scent of a dish.
When growing bay laurel in a container, choose a large enough pot so it won’t need repotting in just a few months. Use a well-draining potting mix and plant the bay tree at the same level it was in its nursery pot. Place the container where the plant receives at least six hours of sun per day, and keep the soil moderately moist.
Bay is half hardy in USDA zones 7 and below. It will need to be moved indoors in cooler climates.
Bay leaves are best fresh but may also be frozen or dried to preserve their flavor.
This article features products available from third-party vendors on the Gardening Know How Shop.
Bonnie Grant is a professional landscaper with a Certification in Urban Gardening. She has been gardening and writing for 15 years. A former professional chef, she has a passion for edible landscaping.
- Amy DraissDigital Community Manager
-
5 Plastic Products To Avoid In Your Garden – And How You Can Embrace Plastic Reduction
The less plastic we use, the healthier our planet will be. Here are some big plastic gardening products to avoid, plus some alternatives.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
8 Small Trees For Front Yards – Boost Curb Appeal Without Dominating The House
Discover the best small trees for front yards, which make an impact in multiple seasons without overshadowing the rest of the yard.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
When To Plant Lavender For Happier And Healthier Plants Guaranteed!
You may be surprised to learn that the best times to plant lavender seeds are the cooler months. Knowing when to plant lavender correctly gives these fragrant herbs the best start, as this guide explains
By Tonya Barnett
-
Growing Tomatoes In Containers For Beginners
Nothing says summer like homegrown tomatoes! Did you know you can grow tomatoes in pots? Click to learn how to grow tomatoes in containers.
By Laura Walters
-
Do-It-Yourself Floral Pumpkin Centerpiece
Can you believe this pretty pumpkin centerpiece was made with just $13 worth of supplies? Plus, it was quick and easy.
By Amy Draiss
-
How And When To Harvest Vegetables For The Freshest Flavor Ever
Vegetable harvesting at the correct time can make the difference between flavorful and unpalatable produce. Here are some garden harvest tips to follow.
By Amy Grant
-
Tomato Verticillium Wilt Control – How To Treat Tomatoes With Verticillium Wilt
Verticillium wilt can be a devastating infection for a tomato crop. The best way to avoid it is to use resistant tomato varieties. It is also important to know the signs of the disease to avoid spreading it from one area of your garden to another. Learn more in this article.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
How And When To Pick Hot Peppers For Peak Spiciness – Top Tips For A Hot Harvest
So you have a lovely crop of hot peppers thriving in the garden, but when do you pick them? There are several things to consider before you begin harvesting hot peppers. The following article discusses options for harvest and storage of hot peppers.
By Amy Grant
-
Tomato Fusarium Wilt: How To Control Fusarium Wilt On Tomato Plants
Tomato fusarium wilt can be very destructive to home gardens. It is a fungal infection that invades the roots but causes yellowing and wilting in the plant above the soil line. With severe infections, you can lose a lot of tomato yield. Learn more in this article.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Tomato Anthracnose Information: Learn About Anthracnose Of Tomato Plants
Anthracnose of tomato plants has a particular set of symptoms that affects the fruits, often after they have been picked. To learn more about tomato anthracnose symptoms and how to control tomato anthracnose disease, click this article for additional information.
By Liz Baessler