There’s something special about stepping outside and snipping a handful of fresh herbs for dinner. Whether you have a sprawling backyard, a sunny patio, or just a small balcony, potted herbs are an easy way to bring fresh flavour and a little more green into your everyday routine.
Easy to grow, beautiful to display, and useful in the kitchen, herbs are the perfect addition to any outdoor space.
Growing herbs in containers keeps things simple. Pots allow you to move your herbs around to find the best sunlight, keep fast-growing varieties under control, and grow several favourites even when garden space is limited.
They’re also a beautiful addition to patios and outdoor entertaining spaces. A collection of terracotta pots filled with fragrant herbs adds an effortless, garden-inspired feel while keeping fresh ingredients within reach.
Not sure where to start? A few tried-and-true favourites include:
Basil
A summer essential! Basil loves warmth and sunshine and is perfect for homemade pesto, pasta, pizza, salads, and fresh summer tomatoes.
Rosemary
Fragrant and flavourful, rosemary prefers plenty of sun and soil that drains well. Use it with roasted vegetables, potatoes, chicken, breads, and marinades.
Thyme
Compact and low-maintenance, thyme is a great choice for containers. Its earthy flavour works beautifully in soups, roasted vegetables, sauces, and savoury dishes.
Parsley
A kitchen staple that can be added to just about anything. Parsley appreciates consistent moisture and can be harvested throughout the season.
Oregano
Give oregano a sunny spot and it will reward you with plenty of flavour. It’s especially delicious in tomato sauces, pizza, grilled vegetables, and Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
Most herbs love lots of sunshine, so aim for a location that receives around six hours of sun each day. Always choose a container with drainage holes, as herbs generally don’t like sitting in wet soil.
Because containers dry out more quickly than garden beds, check the soil regularly—especially during hot summer weather. Water thoroughly when the top inch or so of soil feels dry, but avoid keeping the soil constantly soggy.
And don’t be afraid to harvest! Regularly snipping your herbs encourages many varieties to become fuller and produce even more fresh growth.
Try grouping a few pots together near your patio, outdoor kitchen, or back door for an easy-to-reach kitchen garden. You can keep things simple with individual pots or create a mixed herb planter with varieties that enjoy similar growing conditions.
Whether you’re starting with a single pot of basil or creating an entire collection of culinary favourites, a fresh herb garden is always worth making room for.
Pssst - When Anna's Club Members shop jams (from Wednesday, August 19th - Wednesday, August 26th) at the garden centre, they'll receive 30% OFF!
