Herbs for Pots & Containers

Lavender ‘Hidcote’ Blue – Seeds (Lavandula angustifolia)

Lavender ‘Hidcote’ Blue (Lavandula angustifolia) is a classic compact variety prized for its deep violet-blue flower spikes and aromatic foliage. Ideal for borders, herb gardens, and containers, it attracts bees and butterflies while providing fragrant blooms for cutting and drying. Hardy and low-maintenance, it’s perfect for sunny, well-drained locations.

Why Grow "Hidcote Blue"

• Deep violet-blue fragrant flower spikes

• Compact, tidy growth ideal for borders and containers

• Attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies

• Excellent for cutting, drying, and culinary use

Key Features

• Type: Hardy perennial (Lavandula angustifolia)

• Height: 30–45 cm

• Flowering: June–August

• Position: Full sun, well-drained soil

• Uses: Borders, herb gardens, containers, pollinator-friendly planting

Ideal For

• Herb and cottage gardens

• Pollinator-friendly borders

• Container planting and edging

• Fragrant bouquets and dried arrangements

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in seed trays

• Germination: 14–28 days at 18–22°C

• Transplant seedlings into pots or borders after last frost

• Space 25–30 cm apart for compact growth

• Prefers sunny, well-drained soil; avoid overwatering

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.

Holy Basil Herb Seeds (Ocimum sanctum)

Sacred in Ayurvedic tradition, Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum), also known as Tulsi, is a fragrant and highly valued herb cherished for its medicinal and culinary uses. With its spicy, clove-like aroma and lush green foliage, it adds beauty to the garden and wellness to your kitchen. A must-have for herb lovers and holistic gardeners.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors in early spring or directly outdoors after the last frost.

• Use light, well-drained soil in a sunny location.

• Sow 0.5 cm deep and keep soil moist until germination.

• Thin seedlings to 25–30 cm apart.

• Regular harvesting encourages bushy growth.

Key Features

• Sacred Ayurvedic herb known as Tulsi

• Distinct clove-like aroma and flavor

• Rich in antioxidants and medicinal properties

• Attractive green foliage with purple flowers

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

Ideal For

• Herbal teas and remedies

• Traditional and modern cooking

• Home apothecaries and wellness gardens

• Indoor pots or sunny outdoor spots

Sowing

• Best time: Spring after frost

• Depth: 0.5 cm

• Spacing: 25–30 cm apart

• Prefers sunny, warm conditions with well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Pinch back growing tips to encourage bushiness and a longer harvest season.

Dwarf Spearmint – Seeds (Mentha spicata)

The Dwarf Spearmint is a compact and aromatic herb, prized for its refreshing flavor and versatility. With its smaller, bushy growth habit, it’s perfect for container gardening, herb borders, and kitchen windowsills. Its bright green leaves bring a cool, sweet taste to teas, salads, desserts, and savory dishes, while also offering natural health benefits.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors in early spring or directly outdoors after frost.

• Scatter seeds thinly on the surface of moist soil and lightly press down.

• Keep in a sunny to partly shaded spot with regular watering.

• Harvest young leaves as needed to encourage fresh growth.

Key Features

• Compact, bushy spearmint variety

• Refreshing sweet-mint flavor

• Excellent for containers, windowsills, and small spaces

• Perennial herb with continuous harvests

• Culinary and medicinal uses

Ideal For

• Fresh teas, cocktails, and infused water

• Salads, sauces, and desserts

• Small gardens, pots, and indoor growing

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: March to June

• Harvest: May onwards, throughout the season

Quick Tip

• Regular trimming keeps plants compact and prevents them from spreading too aggressively.

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.

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

Giant Hyssop Blue – Seeds (Agastache mexicana)

Giant Hyssop Blue (Agastache mexicana) is a striking perennial producing tall spikes of fragrant blue-purple flowers from summer to early autumn. Its aromatic foliage and nectar-rich blooms make it highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, ensuring a lively pollinator-friendly garden. Easy to grow and drought-tolerant once established, it adds height, color, and fragrance to borders, herb gardens, and cottage-style beds.

Why Grow "Giant Hyssop Blue"

• Tall spikes of vibrant blue-purple flowers

• Aromatic foliage with a long flowering season

• Hardy, drought-tolerant, and easy to grow

• Excellent pollinator magnet

Key Features

• Type: Perennial (Agastache mexicana)

• Height: 60–100 cm

• Flowering: Summer to early autumn

• Position: Full sun

• Uses: Borders, herb gardens, cottage gardens, pollinator planting

Ideal For

• Adding vertical height and fragrance to borders

• Pollinator-friendly and wildlife gardens

• Cottage and herb garden displays

• Drought-tolerant, low-maintenance planting

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in trays or pots

• Sow outdoors: April–May after frost

• Germination: 14–21 days at 18–22°C

• Thin seedlings 25–30 cm apart

• Prefers well-drained soil in full sun

• Water sparingly once established

Rosemary – Seeds (Rosmarinus officinalis)

The classic Rosemary is a hardy, evergreen perennial herb valued for its aromatic needle-like leaves and unmistakable flavor. Loved in Mediterranean cooking, it adds depth to roasted meats, potatoes, bread, and sauces. Its strong fragrance also makes it a natural companion plant, helping deter pests in the garden.

Not only culinary, rosemary is also prized for its decorative qualities – perfect for herb gardens, containers, and borders. With its resilience and longevity, rosemary is a must-have for any kitchen garden.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April in seed trays or pots

• Transplant outdoors: After last frost in a sunny spot

• Soil: Light, well-drained, sandy soil

• Position: Full sun

• Care: Water sparingly, avoid waterlogged soil, prune regularly for bushy growth

Key Features

• Aromatic, evergreen perennial herb

• Classic Mediterranean flavor for cooking

• Hardy and drought-tolerant once established

• Excellent for borders, pots, or herb gardens

• Natural companion plant with pest-repelling properties

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February – April

• Harvest: All year once established

Clary Sage – White Swan Seeds (Salvia horminum)

Bring elegance and fragrance to your garden with Clary Sage – White Swan (Salvia horminum). This striking annual herb is prized for its large, pure white bracts that surround tiny flowers, creating a dramatic, eye-catching display. Both ornamental and aromatic, it’s an excellent choice for garden beds, borders, and cut flower arrangements.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors in early spring or directly outdoors after the last frost.

• Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil.

• Lightly cover seeds with fine soil and keep moist until germination (10–20 days).

• Thin seedlings once large enough to handle, spacing them about 20–25 cm apart.

• Water regularly but avoid waterlogging.

• Deadhead spent blooms to encourage prolonged flowering.

Key Features

• Pure white bracts that create a bold floral display

• Easy-to-grow annual, fast to flower in a single season

• Aromatic foliage, often used in traditional remedies and crafts

• Excellent as a cut flower for fresh or dried arrangements

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

Ideal For

• Cottage gardens and flower borders

• Cutting gardens and bouquets

• Pollinator-friendly landscapes

• Containers and decorative pots

Sowing

• Best time: Early spring indoors or outdoors after frost

• Germination: 10–20 days

• Sow thinly, cover lightly, and keep soil consistently moist

• Prefers full sun and well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• For a longer display, stagger sowings every few weeks during spring and early summer.