Herbs for Pots & Containers

Fine Leaved Chives Seeds (Allium schoenoprasum)

Add fresh, mild onion flavor to your dishes with Fine Leaved Chives, a classic herb with slender, dark green leaves and delicate edible flowers. Ideal for salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes, this perennial herb is easy to grow and provides harvests year after year. Its compact growth habit makes it perfect for garden beds, borders, and containers.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors in spring.

• Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade.

• Sow seeds 0.5 cm deep in rows 20–25 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 15 cm apart.

• Harvest leaves regularly to encourage bushy growth.

Key Features

• Perennial herb with fine, slender leaves

• Mild, fresh onion flavor for culinary use

• Compact and easy to grow in beds or containers

• Long-lasting harvest year after year

• Attractive edible purple flowers

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes

• Container and herb gardens

• Gardeners seeking perennial, low-maintenance herbs

• Adding flavor and ornamental interest to beds

Sowing

• Best time: Early spring indoors or direct sow outdoors

• Depth: 0.5 cm

• Row spacing: 20–25 cm

• Plant spacing: Thin to 15 cm apart

• Harvest: From 8–10 weeks after sowing

Quick Tip

• Trim leaves regularly to promote fresh, tender growth and prevent flowering if desired.

Mexican Tarragon – Seeds

(Tagetes lucida) – Perennial Herb / Ornamental

Mexican Tarragon, also known as Sweet Mace or Spanish Tarragon, is a versatile plant prized both as a culinary herb and a decorative flower. It produces bright golden-yellow blossoms and aromatic leaves with a distinctive anise-like flavor, often used as a substitute for French tarragon in cooking. Highly valued in traditional medicine and rituals, it is also a magnet for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Key Features

• Type: Tender perennial (often grown as annual in cooler climates)

• Height: 45–75 cm

• Spread: 30–40 cm

• Flowers: Clusters of golden-yellow blooms

• Blooming period: Summer to autumn

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil

• Other: Aromatic foliage; edible herb

Ideal For

• Herb and kitchen gardens

• Summer borders and cottage gardens

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Containers and pots

• Edible landscaping

Culinary & Herbal Uses

• Leaves used fresh or dried in soups, sauces, chicken, and fish dishes

• Herbal teas with calming properties

• Traditional medicinal and ceremonial uses

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in seed trays with light soil.

• Germination: 7–14 days at 18–22°C.

• Transplant: Harden off and plant outdoors after the last frost.

• Care: Prefers sunny, warm positions. Pinch young shoots to encourage bushiness. Harvest leaves before flowering for best flavor.

Sweet Marjoram – Seeds (Tender Perennial Aromatic)

Sweet Marjoram is a fragrant, tender perennial herb prized for its delicate, sweet flavor. Perfect for seasoning soups, sauces, salads, and roasted dishes, it adds a subtle aromatic touch to your culinary creations. Compact and easy to grow, Sweet Marjoram is ideal for garden beds, containers, and herb gardens.

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 soil and regular watering.

• Trim regularly to encourage bushy growth and prevent flowering.

Key Features

• Tender perennial aromatic herb

• Sweet, delicate flavor for culinary use

• Compact, bushy growth habit

• Ideal for garden beds, containers, and herb gardens

• Perfect for fresh use or drying

Ideal For

• Flavoring soups, sauces, and roasted dishes

• Gardeners seeking aromatic, easy-to-grow herbs

• Kitchen herb collections and container gardening

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: February to April

• Depth: Lightly covered

• Harvest: May to October

Quick Tip

• Regularly snip leaves to encourage fresh growth and prevent the plant from flowering too early.

Toothache Plant – Seeds (Spilanthes oleracea)

The Toothache Plant (Spilanthes oleracea) is an unusual and fascinating herb, known for its small, bright red flowers and unique tingling effect when chewed. Traditionally used for its medicinal properties, it adds interest to herb gardens, containers, and edible landscaping. Easy to grow and fast-maturing, it’s a conversation-starting plant that also attracts pollinators.

Why Grow "Toothache Plant"

• Bright red, cone-shaped flowers

• Unique tingling sensation when chewed

• Traditional medicinal and culinary uses

• Attracts bees and other pollinators

Key Features

• Type: Annual herb (Spilanthes oleracea)

• Height: 30–60 cm

• Flowering: Summer

• Position: Full sun, well-drained soil

• Uses: Herb gardens, containers, edible landscaping, pollinator-friendly plantings

Ideal For

• Herb and medicinal gardens

• Container and patio planting

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Educational or conversation-starting gardens

Sowing & Growing

• Sow indoors: February–April in seed trays

• Sow outdoors: April–May after frost

• Germination: 10–20 days at 18–22°C

• Transplant seedlings 25–30 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and moderately fertile soil

• Keep soil moist for best growth

Sorrel 'Bloody Dock' – Seeds (Rumex sanguineus)

Sorrel 'Bloody Dock' is a striking perennial herb known for its vibrant red-veined leaves and tangy, lemony flavor. Perfect for salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes, it adds both visual appeal and a refreshing zest to culinary creations.

Easy to grow and hardy, this variety thrives in garden beds, borders, or containers, providing both ornamental beauty and flavorful leaves throughout the growing season.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors: March – June

• Plant spacing: 20–25 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained soil

• Care: Water regularly; remove older leaves to encourage new growth

Key Features

• Perennial herb with striking red-veined leaves

• Tangy, lemony flavor perfect for salads, soups, and sauces

• Hardy and easy to grow

• Suitable for garden beds, borders, or containers

• Adds both ornamental and culinary value

Harvest

• Harvesting period: 50–70 days after sowing

• Pick young leaves regularly for the best flavor and tender texture.

Short Tip

Harvest leaves from the outer edges to encourage continuous growth and maintain vibrant color.

Summer Savory 'Midget' – Seeds (Satureja hortensis)

Summer Savory ‘Midget’ is a compact, fast-growing annual herb, prized for its spicy, peppery flavour that resembles thyme and oregano. This dwarf variety is especially suited for container growing, raised beds, and small herb gardens.

Traditionally used to season bean dishes, meats, soups, and stews, it is also excellent fresh or dried as a versatile culinary herb. With its neat, bushy growth habit and aromatic leaves, ‘Midget’ is both decorative and useful in the kitchen.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: March – April in pots or trays

• Sow outdoors: April – June, directly into prepared soil

• Depth: Lightly cover seeds with soil (approx. 0.5 cm)

• Spacing: 20–25 cm between plants

• Position: Sunny, well-drained spot

• Soil: Light, sandy, moderately fertile

Key Features

• Compact dwarf variety – ideal for pots and small spaces

• Distinct peppery flavour – a classic bean seasoning

• Culinary herb for meats, stews, soups, and sauces

• Can be used fresh or dried

• Hardy, quick-growing, and easy to maintain

Harvesting

• Harvest from: June – September

• Pick fresh leaves regularly to encourage new growth.

• For winter use, cut and dry whole sprigs just before flowering.