Herbs for Pots & Containers

Basil 'Italian Sweet Genovese' – Seeds (Ocimum basilicum)

Basil 'Italian Sweet Genovese' is the classic culinary herb prized for its aromatic, glossy green leaves and sweet, slightly spicy flavor. Perfect for pesto, salads, sauces, and garnishing, this variety grows vigorously and produces abundant foliage throughout the growing season. Ideal for home gardens, pots, and herb beds.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors from February to April, lightly covering with soil.

• Maintain 18–22°C until germination.

• Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost in a sunny, sheltered spot.

• Prefers well-drained, fertile soil and regular watering.

• Pinch off flower buds to encourage bushy growth and prolonged leaf production.

Key Features

• Aromatic, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor

• Classic Italian basil variety for culinary use

• Fast-growing and productive

• Suitable for garden beds, containers, and patios

• Ideal for pesto, salads, sauces, and garnishing

Ideal For

• Fresh culinary use in Italian and Mediterranean dishes

• Herb gardens, raised beds, and container planting

• Gardeners seeking high-yield, flavorful basil

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February to April

• Depth: Lightly covered

• Harvest: May to October

Quick Tip

• Regularly pinch young shoots to encourage bushy growth and prevent flowering, which can reduce leaf flavor.

Chives ‘Bohemia’ – Seeds (Allium schoenoprasum) – Hardy Perennial

Chives ‘Bohemia’ is a hardy perennial herb, perfect for overwintering and providing fresh growth year after year. Known for its fine, hollow green leaves and mild onion flavor, it’s a versatile kitchen herb ideal for salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes. In summer, attractive purple-pink flowers appear, loved by bees and pollinators, making this a decorative as well as useful garden plant.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April in pots or trays at 15–20°C.

• Sow outdoors: April – July in finely prepared soil.

• Thin or transplant seedlings to 20 cm apart.

• Prefers full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil.

• Cut regularly to encourage fresh growth.

Key Features

• Hardy perennial herb with overwintering growth

• Fine, mild onion-flavored leaves

• Decorative purple flowers attract pollinators

• Easy to grow in pots, borders, or herb gardens

• Reliable year-round harvests

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes

• Herb gardens, borders, and containers

• Attracting bees and pollinators

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February – July

• Harvest: May – October, with regrowth in spring

Quick Tip

Divide clumps every few years to maintain healthy growth and extend the lifespan of your chive plants.

German Chamomile – Seeds (Matricaria recutita)

Bring calm and fragrance to your garden with German Chamomile, a charming annual herb prized for its daisy-like white flowers and soothing aroma. Traditionally used for herbal teas and natural remedies, this variety is easy to grow, highly productive, and also attracts pollinators to your garden. A perfect choice for herb beds, borders, and pots.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors from February to April, lightly pressing seeds onto the surface of moist compost – do not cover as they need light to germinate
. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost, spacing 20–25 cm apart
. Alternatively, sow outdoors directly in April to May in well-drained soil
. Prefers a sunny position with average to light soil
. Water sparingly, as chamomile thrives in slightly dry conditions

Key Features

. Delicate white blooms with yellow centers
. Traditional herb for calming teas and remedies
. Attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects
. Easy to grow, tolerant of poor soils
. Ideal for borders, herb gardens, and containers

Ideal For

. Herbal tea lovers and home remedies
. Pollinator-friendly gardens
. Cottage gardens and borders
. Container growing

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow: February – May
. Harvest: June – September

Quick Tip

Harvest flowers on warm, dry days and dry them for homemade chamomile tea with the best flavor and aroma.

Watercress – Seeds (Nasturtium officinale)

Watercress is a fast-growing, nutrient-packed leafy green with a peppery, fresh flavor. Perfect for salads, sandwiches, soups, and garnishes, it thrives in moist soil or near water and adds a vibrant, tangy taste to your dishes. Easy to grow, it’s an ideal addition to kitchen gardens, herb beds, or containers.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds in shallow trays or directly in moist soil from March to July.

• Keep seeds lightly covered and consistently damp.

• Prefers partial shade and consistently moist or wet conditions.

• Transplant or thin seedlings to allow 10–15 cm spacing.

• Harvest leaves when young for the best flavor.

Key Features

• Fast-growing, nutrient-rich leafy green

• Fresh, peppery flavor perfect for salads and garnishes

• Thrives in moist soil or water-adjacent beds

• Ideal for continuous cut-and-come-again harvesting

• Easy to grow in containers, garden beds, or water troughs

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, sandwiches, soups, and garnishes

• Kitchen gardens, herb beds, and small spaces

• Health-conscious and culinary gardeners

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March to July

• Depth: Lightly covered

• Spacing: 10–15 cm

• Harvest: April to October

Quick Tip

• Keep soil or growing medium consistently wet to maintain crisp, flavorful leaves.

Coriander Seeds (Coriandrum sativum)

Grow fresh, aromatic herbs with Coriander (Coriandrum sativum). This versatile herb produces feathery green leaves and aromatic seeds, perfect for salads, cooking, and spice blends. Fast-growing and easy to cultivate, it’s ideal for herb gardens, kitchen beds, and containers.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds directly outdoors from early spring to late summer.

• Use fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade.

• Sow seeds 0.5–1 cm deep and thin seedlings to 15–20 cm apart.

• Keep soil consistently moist for best germination (7–14 days).

• Harvest leaves when young and tender; collect seeds when fully mature.

Key Features

• Feathery, aromatic green leaves and flavorful seeds

• Fast-growing and easy to cultivate

• Ideal for fresh salads, cooking, and spice blends

• Suitable for outdoor and container growing

• Hardy and versatile culinary herb

Ideal For

• Herb gardens, kitchen beds, and containers

• Fresh salads, cooking, and seasoning

• Homegrown spice production

• Companion planting to attract beneficial insects

Sowing

• Best time: Early spring to late summer outdoors

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: Thin to 15–20 cm apart

• Prefers full sun to partial shade and fertile, well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Sow in succession every 2–3 weeks for a continuous supply of fresh leaves and seeds.

Lemon Balm – Seeds (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon Balm is a hardy perennial herb valued for its refreshing lemon-scented leaves. Perfect for teas, desserts, and savory dishes, it also makes a soothing herbal remedy often used to promote relaxation. Its fragrant foliage attracts bees and pollinators, while its resilience makes it an easy-to-grow choice for gardens, pots, or borders.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: March – May in trays at 18–20°C.

• Sow outdoors: May – July in a sunny or lightly shaded spot.

• Thin or transplant seedlings to 30 cm apart.

• Prefers fertile, well-drained soil.

• Cut back after flowering to encourage fresh growth.

Key Features

• Hardy perennial with refreshing lemon scent

• Aromatic leaves for teas, salads, and cooking

• Excellent for herbal remedies and relaxation

• Attracts bees and pollinators

• Easy to grow in borders or containers

Ideal For

• Herbal teas and drinks

• Culinary use in sweet and savory dishes

• Herb gardens, borders, and patio pots

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March – July

• Harvest: May – October

Quick Tip

Pick leaves early in the morning for the best flavor and fragrance.

Wild Marjoram – Oregano – Seeds (Origanum vulgare)

Wild Marjoram (Oregano) is a hardy perennial herb cherished for its fragrant leaves and delicate pink-purple flowers. A staple of Mediterranean cooking, oregano adds a rich, earthy flavor to pizzas, pasta, sauces, and roasted vegetables. Beyond the kitchen, its nectar-rich flowers are a magnet for bees and butterflies, making it a wonderful addition to herb gardens, borders, and pollinator-friendly spaces.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: March – May in seed trays or pots.

• Transplant outdoors: After the last frost in a sunny, well-drained spot.

• Spacing: 25–30 cm apart.

• Oregano prefers light, well-drained soil and thrives in warm, sunny conditions.

Key Features

• Aromatic herb essential for Mediterranean cuisine

• Hardy perennial, easy to grow

• Attracts bees and butterflies with summer blooms

• Suitable for pots, containers, or borders

• Drought-tolerant once established

Ideal For

• Culinary herb gardens

• Fresh or dried use in cooking

• Pollinator-friendly borders

• Container growing on patios or balconies

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March – May

• Harvest: June – October (leaves can be harvested fresh or dried)

Quick Tip

For the most intense flavor, harvest oregano leaves just before flowering, and dry them in a cool, airy place.

Pot Marigold Dwarf ‘Sunset Buff’ – Apricot – 1,000 Seeds (Calendula officinalis)

The Dwarf Pot Marigold ‘Sunset Buff’ is a charming, compact variety producing apricot-peach blooms with soft golden undertones. Its warm pastel shades bring a unique elegance to beds, borders, and cottage gardens. Easy to grow and long-flowering, this hardy annual is also edible, with petals traditionally used to decorate salads or for natural dye.

Highlights

• Distinctive apricot–buff blooms with golden tones

• Compact, dwarf habit – perfect for pots and borders

• Long flowering season from early summer to autumn

• Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects

• Edible petals for salads and herbal uses

Key Features

• Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis

• Variety: Dwarf ‘Sunset Buff’ (Apricot)

• Seed Count: 1,000 seeds per pack

• Height/Spread: 25–30 cm tall, compact growth

• Position: Full sun, well-drained soil

• Flowering Period: June – October

Perfect For

• Bedding, borders, and cottage gardens

• Patio pots and containers

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Edible flower displays and herbal uses

Sowing Instructions

• Sow outdoors March–May or August–September for overwintering

• Sow directly into soil, lightly cover seeds

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart

• Deadhead regularly for prolonged flowering

Parsley 'Festival 68' – Seeds (Petroselinum crispum)

Bring fresh, aromatic flavor to your kitchen with Parsley 'Festival 68', a robust, curly-leaf variety known for its high yield and exceptional flavor. Ideal for soups, salads, sauces, and garnishes, this versatile herb thrives in home gardens and containers. Easy to grow and slow to bolt, 'Festival 68' ensures a long-lasting supply of fresh parsley throughout the season.

How to Grow

. Sow indoors: February – April, 0.5–1 cm deep in pots or trays
. Sow outdoors: March – June in fertile, well-drained soil
. Thin seedlings to 15–20 cm apart
. Prefers full sun or partial shade and regular watering
. Harvest leaves continuously to encourage new growth

Key Features

. Curly-leaf parsley with strong flavor
. High-yielding and slow to bolt
. Suitable for beds, borders, and containers
. Long-lasting harvest for fresh cooking
. Easy to grow, versatile culinary herb

Ideal For

. Soups, salads, sauces, and garnishes
. Home gardeners and container cultivation
. Continuous fresh herb supply throughout the season
. Companion planting with tomatoes, carrots, or asparagus

Sowing & Harvest

. Sow: February – June
. Harvest: April – October

Quick Tip

Regularly snip outer leaves instead of cutting the entire plant to promote continuous growth.