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.

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.

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.

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.

Dwarf Dill 'Forrest' – Seeds

(Anethum graveolens) – Compact, Aromatic Herb

Dwarf Dill 'Forrest' is a compact, slow-bolting variety ideal for small gardens, pots, and window boxes. Its fragrant, feathery leaves are perfect for seasoning salads, soups, pickles, and fish dishes. This variety produces consistent, tender foliage and is easy to grow even in limited space.

Key Features

• Type: Annual herb

• Height: Dwarf, 25–35 cm

• Flavor: Classic aromatic dill, mild and fresh

• Harvest: Leaf harvest from 40–50 days after sowing

• Use: Culinary seasoning, pickling, fresh salads

Ideal For

• Small gardens, balconies, and containers

• Culinary use in salads, soups, and sauces

• Companion planting in vegetable beds

• Homegrown, fresh herb supply

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March–June, thin seedlings to 10–15 cm apart.

• Sow indoors: February–April, transplant seedlings carefully.

• Soil: Light, well-drained, moderately fertile.

• Sunlight: Full sun preferred.

• Harvest: Cut leaves as needed; avoid cutting entire plants for continuous growth.

Care Tips

• Keep soil evenly moist for tender leaves.

• Regular harvesting encourages bushier growth.

• Protect young plants from strong wind or heavy rain.

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.

Lemongrass – Seeds (Cymbopogon flexuosus)

Lemongrass is a wonderfully fragrant herb, widely used in Asian cuisine for its fresh citrus flavor. This versatile plant can be grown in containers, kitchen gardens, or even indoors on a sunny windowsill. Both the leaves and stems are edible, perfect for curries, teas, marinades, and stir-fries. An attractive, clump-forming grass, it also adds a decorative touch to herb borders.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April in trays or pots of seed compost with gentle heat.

• Transplant: When seedlings are large enough, pot on or plant outdoors after the last frost.

• Soil: Fertile, free-draining soil in full sun.

• Spacing: 30–40 cm apart.

• Keep soil moist and protect from cold.

Key Features

• Fragrant herb with citrus aroma

• Essential for Asian cooking

• Edible stems and leaves

• Can be grown in pots, containers, or beds

• Attractive clump-forming grass

Ideal For

• Asian-inspired dishes, teas, and marinades

• Herb gardens, borders, and container growing

• Indoor growing on sunny windowsills

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February – April

• Harvest: July – October (leaves and stems when mature)

Quick Tip

For a continuous harvest, cut stalks at the base while leaving the plant to regrow. In cooler climates, grow in pots and overwinter indoors.

Winter English Thyme – Seeds

(Thymus vulgaris)

Winter English Thyme is a hardy, aromatic perennial herb prized for its culinary and medicinal uses. Its evergreen foliage adds fragrance to the garden, while tiny, delicate flowers attract pollinators. Ideal for herb gardens, rockeries, or container planting, this versatile thyme provides year-round flavor and garden interest.

Why Grow Winter English Thyme?

• Aromatic evergreen foliage for culinary and medicinal use

• Hardy perennial suitable for year-round growth

• Attracts bees and pollinators

• Versatile for herb gardens, rockeries, and containers

Key Features

• Type: Perennial herb

• Height: 15–30 cm

• Flowers: Summer, small pink or purple blooms

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile

Ideal For

• Herb gardens and culinary use

• Rockeries and container planting

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Evergreen groundcover and edging

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in seed trays

• Sow outdoors: April–May directly in prepared soil

• Germination: 14–21 days at 18–20°C

• Spacing: 20–30 cm between plants

• Care: Low maintenance; trim regularly to maintain shape and encourage new growth

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.