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4 Herb Container Gardens for Fabulous Global Cuisine
Tingle your taste buds with the unbeatable taste of fresh herbs in your Italian, Asian, Mexican or French fare
Do you have a flair for Asian cuisine? Or do your tastes lean Italian? Make cooking your favorite food easy by combining the herbs you use most often in one container or a grouping of pots. Having fresh herbs to season dishes with will make your meals even more amazing.
Many varieties of herbs work perfectly in containers. These handy kitchen gardens are easily accessed, allowing you to pick a handful of your bounty as the whim arises.
Many varieties of herbs work perfectly in containers. These handy kitchen gardens are easily accessed, allowing you to pick a handful of your bounty as the whim arises.
Terra-cotta pots work well for herbs, as most prefer the soil to be on the dry side. You may need to water plants in these pots a bit more if you live in a very dry climate. Small pots will need more frequent attention than larger pots.
To know how many plants to put in one pot, it’s best to check the mature size of the plant. If that’s not possible, you can follow these guidelines using 4-inch starter plants:
• Three to five plants for a 12-inch-diameter pot
• Six to nine plants for an 18-inch-diameter pot
The majority of herbs like well-draining soil, so it’s essential to use potting mix (not garden soil) specifically made for this.
• Three to five plants for a 12-inch-diameter pot
• Six to nine plants for an 18-inch-diameter pot
The majority of herbs like well-draining soil, so it’s essential to use potting mix (not garden soil) specifically made for this.
Herbs need at least of four hours of sun, and many require six to eight. If you plan to keep your kitchen garden indoors, be sure the pots are placed where they will get direct sunlight for the appropriate amount of time.
Once you have your containers ready, you can plant herbs that work together for a particular food or type of cuisine. Here are four of my favorites.
Oregano
Botanical name: Origanum vulgare
USDA zones: 4 to 9
Water requirement: Medium to dry, well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 12 to 18 inches high and wide
Botanical name: Origanum vulgare
USDA zones: 4 to 9
Water requirement: Medium to dry, well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 12 to 18 inches high and wide
Italian (Flat-Leaf) Parsley
Botanical name: Petroselinum crispum
USDA zones: N/A; treat as an annual
Water requirement: Medium to moist, well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 9 to 12 inches high and wide
Botanical name: Petroselinum crispum
USDA zones: N/A; treat as an annual
Water requirement: Medium to moist, well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 9 to 12 inches high and wide
Thyme
Botanical name: Thymus vulgaris
USDA zones: 5 to 9
Water requirement: Medium to dry, well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 6 to 12 inches high and wide
Botanical name: Thymus vulgaris
USDA zones: 5 to 9
Water requirement: Medium to dry, well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 6 to 12 inches high and wide
2. Asian Herb Garden
Lemongrass
Botanical name: Cymbopogon citratus
USDA zones: 10 to 11
Water requirement: Medium moisture; well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun; tolerates light shade
Mature size: 2 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide
Lemongrass
Botanical name: Cymbopogon citratus
USDA zones: 10 to 11
Water requirement: Medium moisture; well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun; tolerates light shade
Mature size: 2 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide
Spearmint
Botanical name: Mentha spicata
USDA zones: 5 to 9
Water requirement: Medium to moist, well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet high and wide
Planting note: This plant can be invasive, so it's best suited for containers.
Botanical name: Mentha spicata
USDA zones: 5 to 9
Water requirement: Medium to moist, well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet high and wide
Planting note: This plant can be invasive, so it's best suited for containers.
Cilantro
Botanical name: Coriandrum sativum
USDA zones: N/A; treat as an annual
Water requirement: Medium moisture; well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: Up to 2 feet high and 1 1/2 feet wide
Botanical name: Coriandrum sativum
USDA zones: N/A; treat as an annual
Water requirement: Medium moisture; well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: Up to 2 feet high and 1 1/2 feet wide
Chives
Botanical name: Allium schoenoprasum
USDA zones: 4 to 8
Water requirement: Medium moisture; well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 12 to 18 inches high and wide
Botanical name: Allium schoenoprasum
USDA zones: 4 to 8
Water requirement: Medium moisture; well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 12 to 18 inches high and wide
3. Mexican Herb Garden
Marjoram
Botanical name: Origanum majorana
USDA Zones: N/A; treat as an annual
Water requirement: Medium to dry, well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
Add cilantro, spearmint and oregano to your Mexican herb garden too, paying attention to their needs as listed in the Asian and Italian herb gardens above.
Marjoram
Botanical name: Origanum majorana
USDA Zones: N/A; treat as an annual
Water requirement: Medium to dry, well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
Add cilantro, spearmint and oregano to your Mexican herb garden too, paying attention to their needs as listed in the Asian and Italian herb gardens above.
4. French Herb Garden
Tarragon
Botanical name: Artemisia dracunculus
USDA zones: 5 to 8
Water requirement: Medium to dry, well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 1 1/2 to 3 feet tall and 1 1/2 to 2 feet wide
Tarragon
Botanical name: Artemisia dracunculus
USDA zones: 5 to 8
Water requirement: Medium to dry, well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 1 1/2 to 3 feet tall and 1 1/2 to 2 feet wide
Rosemary
Botanical name: Rosmarinus officinalis
USDA zones: 8 to 10
Water requirement: Medium to dry, well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 3 to 6 feet high and 3 to 4 feet wide
Include Italian parsley and thyme in your French herb garden, paying attention to their needs as listed in the Italian herb section.
How do you combine your herbs? Feel free to leave me a comment below. Happy gardening!
Botanical name: Rosmarinus officinalis
USDA zones: 8 to 10
Water requirement: Medium to dry, well-drained soil
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 3 to 6 feet high and 3 to 4 feet wide
Include Italian parsley and thyme in your French herb garden, paying attention to their needs as listed in the Italian herb section.
How do you combine your herbs? Feel free to leave me a comment below. Happy gardening!
The roots will need ample room for growth, so I recommend starting with a pot that’s at least 12 inches in diameter and at least 8 inches deep. Any material or shape will work; just keep in mind that metal and dark-colored pots heat up more quickly than others.