9 Useful Herbs That You Can Grow In Containers

When you plant herbs indoors first, you have to ensure that you pick herbs during their growing season and they must be picked in the correct manner. Avoid pulling the stems from the base of the plants as this encourages lanky, tall plants. Instead, pick off an inch or two of the tops just above the leaves. The new shoots will start growing from the stems, creating fuller plants. Then, you must feed all the herbs in the containers with worm tea or liquid seaweed. This will ensure all the weak specimens grow into lush and robust plants. Liquid seaweed contains trace minerals and elements that will ensure the plants retain excellent flavor.

Chives

An excellent addition to salads, soups, or garnish for numerous dishes. The flowers are lovely and cheerful in spring; they taste delicious, and bees are attracted to them. This herb is natural to grow and only requires four to five hours of sun. Chives prefer damp soil, so make sure you are not drying them out.

Thyme, Rosemary, Bay, and Sage

All these herbs are easy to grow and have unique flowers. These ageless herbs are used in stocks, pasta, soups, and more. They are not fond of wet roots, therefore must be grown in well-drained soil and avoid overwatering them. Sage can be produced from the seed, but for the others, it is best to buy plants or grow them from cuttings (bay is not easily grown from cuttings though).

Parsley

Parsley grows slow from seed but once ascertained; you will have leaves for almost two years before it starts flowering and dies. Parsley is versatile and looks great in a window box. Visit Trotting Through Time for more educational herb articles.

Basil

Basil excels in warmth, and it is recommended for growing in a bright, warm and sheltered spot. They grow exceptionally well in greenhouses and are usually sown during June when the weather warms. It also does not respond well with wet roots. Therefore, they must be watered in the morning and grow in well-drained soil.

Sorrel

Sorrel is not a popular herb found on supermarket shelves. It has a potent, sour flavor with a tinge of lemon. When cooked, this herb forms classic groupings with salmon and eggs and can also be chopped up with fresh leaves for a tasty addition to salads. It grows quickly in containers. Plant 6-8 plants in a window box. They necessitate at least four hours of sun. It will keep producing new leaves when the outer leaves are picked, and they will give you flavor year-round.

Coriander

Generally planted in spring, coriander easily flowers and proceed to seed. The flowers attract hoverflies, and the green seeds they produce is delicious. The best time for sowing coriander is in August through to September. You will be able to get leaves throughout late autumn, and the plants can survive most winters. It will grow back lush and strong in spring.