Putting herbs together in one pot is a beautiful way to keep them close at hand, but make sure the herbs you pick will grow well with each other.
Growing fresh herbs at home is a rewarding way to add flavor to home cooking. But herb plants like basil, rosemary, and thyme can take up a lot of space in the garden. An excellent solution is to plant multiple herbs together in one container. Combining compatible herbs allows you to maximize limited space while having a mini herb garden right at your fingertips!
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about successfully planting and growing different herbs together in the same pot.
Which Herbs Can Be Planted Together?
Not all herbs make good companions in one container. The key is choosing herbs with similar needs in terms of sunlight, water, soil, and nutrients.
Here are some classic herb pairings that grow well together:
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Basil, oregano, thyme – These Mediterranean herbs like full sun and drier soil.
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Parsley chives sage – This combo likes consistent moisture and partial sun to full sun.
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Cilantro, dill, lemon balm – These herbs enjoy moist soil and partial shade to full sun.
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Rosemary, lavender, tarragon – Drought-tolerant herbs for full sun and drier conditions.
Mint is too aggressive to plant with other herbs. Give it its own container unless combining different mints.
Companion Planting Benefits
Beyond saving space, planting herbs together provides additional benefits:
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Certain herbs can enhance each other’s growth and flavor when paired. For example, basil and oregano are said to taste better when grown together.
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Mixing herbs mimics nature and creates a mini-ecosystem in one pot with biodiversity.
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Different growth habits can utilize space efficiently, with taller back plants and lower front plants.
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Herbs with shallow roots help retain soil moisture for those with deeper roots.
Choosing the Right Container
Select a container large enough to house the mature herb plants, at least 10-12 inches wide and deep. Make sure it has drainage holes to prevent soggy soil. For indoor growing, choose an attractive pot that complements your decor. Outdoors, terracotta, wood, plastic, and metal pots all work well.
Match the container size to the number and size of herbs. For example, three sprawling basil plants need more space than three compact thyme plants.
Potting Mix for Herbs
Use a high-quality potting mix formulated for containers and herbs. The mix should contain:
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Peat or compost for moisture retention
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Perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage
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Nutrients like compost or organic fertilizer
You can make your own by mixing equal parts peat and perlite or vermiculite. For indoor pots, choose a sterile soilless mix to prevent fungus gnats.
How to Plant Herbs Together
Follow these simple steps for planting herbs together in one pot:
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Fill the container about halfway with moistened potting soil.
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Remove each herb plant from its nursery pot, gently loosen any circling roots, and position in the container. Group taller herbs in back and shorter ones in front.
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Plant herbs at the same level they were growing in their nursery pots. The soil should come to just below the lowest set of leaves.
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Pack soil firmly around each plant to anchor it. Leave 1-2 inches of space below the rim for watering.
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Water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom drainage holes.
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Place the pot in a sunny spot indoors or outdoors in appropriate hardiness zones.
Caring for Herbs in One Pot
Though herbs are generally low-maintenance, combined pots will require a bit more care. Here are some tips:
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Check soil daily and water when the top inch is dry. Don’t let pots completely dry out.
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Pinch back leggy growth to encourage bushiness, especially for basil.
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Turn the pot periodically so all sides get equal light exposure.
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Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during active growth.
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Monitor for pests like aphids and diseases, isolating affected plants.
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Re-pot into a larger container as needed if herbs become overcrowded.
Common Problems and Solutions
Growing different herbs together can introduce some potential issues. Here are solutions to common problems:
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Poor drainage and soggy soil – Add more perlite/vermiculite to potting mix.
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Leggy, weak growth – Pinch back plants, move to sunnier location.
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Yellowing leaves – Check for dry soil and underwatering.
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Wilting/drooping – Increase watering frequency.
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White mold on soil – Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
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Spider mites – Isolate affected plants and spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap.
Enjoying Fresh Homegrown Herbs All Season
With the right herb combinations, potting mix, and care, planting herbs together in one container is an easy way to grow and harvest homegrown herbs. Mix and match your favorites for a beautiful pot bursting with culinary flavors. Soon you’ll be clipping fresh herbs to add bold taste to all your recipes. Get creative with herb companions and containers – the possibilities are endless!
What Herbs Can You Plant Together?
There are a few herb combinations that have already been mentioned, but lemon verbena, dill, and cilantro look great together and also attract bugs that eat pests.
Sage and chives go well with parsley, but it also tastes good with basil, lavender, lemon balm, rosemary, and thyme, among other herbs.
Tips For Planting Herbs Together In One Container
Almost everyone has space for a potted herb or two or even container herb garden combinations. Herbs planted together not only make a planter look full, but it’s also a great way to make the most of a small space. The question is what herbs grow well together and what herbs work well in the same pot. Herbs that grow well together usually have similar needs. Read on to learn what herbs grow well together in the same container.
Herbs can be grown in pots inside, outside, or even together in a pot outside because they are pretty hardy. When growing herbs together in a pot, it’s important to put together herbs that are similar and have similar growing needs. This means that herbs planted together should have similar soil, water, light, and fertilizer needs.
It’s easy to get soil and light because all herbs need soil that drains well and at least four to six hours of sunlight a day. If you only have limited light, your best options are parsley, chives and mint. You can purchase a well-drained potting mix or create your own using equal parts peat moss and perlite.
When it comes to water needs, things get tricky because not all herbs need the same amount of water. Many are hardy and drought tolerant but not all of them. Pick groups of herbs that go well together, like basil, tarragon, and oregano, or lavender, rosemary, and thyme. Basil, tarragon, and oregano are tender herbs that need more water, while lavender, rosemary, and thyme can handle less water.
When it comes to fertilizing, extra nutrients are usually not needed, but a little light, watered-down fertilizer is good, especially for herbs that are grown in pots.
Planting Herbs in Containers for Beginners // Garden Answer
FAQ
What herbs cannot be planted together?
Is it OK to plant different herbs in the same pot?
Is it better to plant herbs together or separate?
Can you grow more than one herb in a pot?
You can grow as many types of herbs in one container as you want if they share the same sun, water, and soil preferences. For example, rosemary likes hot and dry conditions while parsley needs steady moisture. Therefore, they would not work well together in the same pot.
Can you plant herbs in a pot?
And for those who garden on a balcony or patio, planting pots of herbs is convenient and the answer to gardening in a small space. In general, choose herbs to grow in one container requiring the same amount of light, water, and soil nutrition.
Can you grow two herbs in the same container?
The best thing to do when planning to grow two herbs in the same container is to use a separate container for each herb. When planting companion herbs together, it can be a little challenging to separate them so that they can grow away from one another. This is especially true if you want to grow more than one herb at a time.
Can you grow herbs in a planter?
Plant small upright-growing herbs to grow in the top, such as parsley, chives, short varieties of basil, or savory. Your plants will thrive in these planters because of the excellent drainage that the multiple pockets provide. Planting herbs to grow indoors lets you enjoy fresh-picked herbs year-round.