There is simply no substitute for fresh herbs. Dried herbs are handy but they lack freshness and true flavor. Growing herbs in containers just outside the door will keep those flavors in easy reach and allow you to eliminate pesticides from your culinary herb garden.
Perennial herbs will provide you with season after season of delightful scents and tastes. Many of the most beautiful herbs also produce flowers that are magnets for beneficial insects.
The majority of perennial herbs are evergreen and may be used throughout the cold season for a touch of freshness unmatched by dried herbs.
Your container choice is critical to the success of a perennial herb garden. There are many fantastic herb garden planter ideas to explore, but whatever style you choose, ensure the container is big enough to accommodate the growing plant, and has ample drainage holes.
These perennial herbs will provide years of flavor to dishes, but check the plant is compatible with your USDA hardiness zone before investing. In colder areas, potted herbs may be overwintered indoors.
Grow your own heavenly herbs from seed with our top recommended varieties to enrich your recipes. Many herbs are easy to grow and low-maintenance, providing maximum reward with minimal effort.
1. Rosemary
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Rosemary adds such a lovely flavor to potatoes, soups, and stews. It has a floral scent and soft green needle-like leaves which are evergreen. The leaves can be used in cooking either whole or chopped.
When growing rosemary in containers, plant it in a peat-free soil mix that will drain freely. The herb does well in rich, well-draining soil. You can use any type of container, as long as it has adequate drainage holes. Plants need moisture during the warm seasons but do not allow the container to sit in water. A terracotta pot will help aid in the evaporation of excess moisture to prevent wet roots.
Rosemary may need a little attention after winter, pruning away dead or damaged stems. Plants can be pruned and shaped into a topiary if you wish.
Bring the plant under cover for added protection in the winter. Rosemary is hardy to USDA zone 6, where it should be heeled in or have the container wrapped in burlap or bubble wrap.
2. Mint
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Mint grows very well in the garden or in containers. In fact, you may prefer containers since mint can escape a garden site and colonize other spaces very readily.
The herb is hardy to USDA zones 4-11. It will grow in almost any soil, even sand, but it must be kept moist. When the top surface of the soil feels dry, water deeply.
Mint prefers full sun to partial shade. The plant will need to be repotted every couple of years. It may be pruned to keep it small if you desire.
The leaves can be frozen, used fresh, or dried. As well as adding freshness to food and drinks, mint is also a wonderful insect repellent.
3. Thyme
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Thyme is a dainty Mediterranean herb that is usually evergreen. Plants do not get very big and they have a shallow root system, making them ideally suited to growing in containers.
While thyme is hardy to USDA zone 4, it will appreciate some mulch or being brought under cover for winter in cooler zones.
The herb likes well-draining, almost gritty soil. A bit of sand or pebbles added to the potting mix will do nicely.
Thyme can withstand periods of drought but the best growth will occur with regular watering. Water deeply, but infrequently, and make sure there are plenty of drainage holes in the container.
Plants don’t really need fertilizer but will like some compost tea or other gentle nutrient solution in early spring.
Thyme leaves are a bit finicky to pull off but you can put the entire stem in soups and stews and fish it out after the leaves have cooked off.
4. Sage
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Sage is a perennial herb hardy to USDA zones 5-8. In cooler climates, it will partially defoliate in freezes, but will rapidly grow new leaves as the temperature warms up. There are many types of sage plants, in multiple sizes and with different flower hues.
When growing sage in pots, select a container that will allow the plant to grow a bit. It should have plenty of drainage holes since sage hates wet feet. The plant can be grown in purchased potting soil or in garden soil. If the soil is very heavy, add in some perlite, sand, or vermiculite.
Sage plants should be watered when the soil is dry to the touch. Water deeply and infrequently. In the winter, the plant needs about half as much water.
Overwinter the container in a hole dug in the ground or insulate the pot with burlap or other material. Fertilize the plant with diluted houseplant fertilizer once in spring.
5. Oregano
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What would pizza or spaghetti and meatballs be without oregano? This delightfully aromatic herb is native to warm climates and hardy in USDA zones 5-9. It will remain evergreen in all but the coldest regions.
The herb will not tolerate wet soil at the root zone and should have plenty of drainage holes in its container and well-draining soil. It is not fussy about the type of soil but heavy soils should be amended with some gritty matter.
There are many types of oregano from which to choose, each with a slightly different flavor profile. A mature plant will get quite tall and may need a cage or staking.
6. Marjoram
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Marjoram is a half-hardy perennial. That means it will be perennial in USDA zones 9-11 but will be half-hardy in temperate regions and an annual in very cold locations. However, when grown in a container, it may be brought indoors for winter to preserve the plant.
An aromatic stewing herb, marjoram adds a subtle flavor but incredible fragrance to food. It is a drought-tolerant plant that will need regular water as it establishes but can be allowed to dry out for longer periods once established.
Use good potting soil for marjoram containers and pinch the plant in the early spring to help it form more compact growth.
7. Bay
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Bay leaves come from a little tree called the bay laurel. Some cooks scoff at the usefulness of bay leaves in their soups and stews, but just leave it out and you will notice. Bay deepens flavors and matures the scent of a dish.
When growing bay laurel in a container, choose a large enough pot so it won’t need repotting in just a few months. Use a well-draining potting mix and plant the bay tree at the same level it was in its nursery pot. Place the container where the plant receives at least six hours of sun per day, and keep the soil moderately moist.
Bay is half hardy in USDA zones 7 and below. It will need to be moved indoors in cooler climates.
Bay leaves are best fresh but may also be frozen or dried to preserve their flavor.
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