The Best Herbs to Grow in Pots

Several aromatic and useful herbs grow easily in containers. Any pot with drainage holes in the bottom will do. Although most of these herbs fare well in pots as small as 6-inches, keep in mind the larger the pot, the larger the plant. Bagged organic potting soil is suitable for planting herbs in pots.

Although all the herbs listed call for full sun, containerized plants tend to dry out and heat up more than in-ground plants, so afternoon shade is welcome in hot summer climates.

Combine herb plants in a 20-inch diameter or larger container for an all-in-one potted herb garden.

A tender annual, sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is strongly aromatic and bears tender leaves used to flavor food -- perhaps most famously for pesto. Varieties of basil include Thai (Ocimum basilicum 'Thai Magic'), lemon (Ocimum basilicum x Ocimum americanum) and purple (Ocimum basilicum x Ocimum forskolei). A 10-inch pot, holding approximately 2 1/2 gallons of potting soil, can provide the ideal amount of space for basil plants to thrive.

Both Italian flat-leaf parsley (Petroselinum neapolitanum) and curly parsley (Petroselinum crispum) are biennial plants in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 11, though they are generally grown as annuals. Both varieties grow up to 1 foot tall and wide. With its exceptional flavor, Italian flat-leaf parsley is preferred for culinary use, while curly parsley is valued for its ornamental, but also edible, leaves.

Perennial in USDA zones 3 through 11, chives (Allium schoenoprasum) offer a very mild onion-like flavor. Growing up to 12 inches, a clump of grassy-looking chives is ideal for smaller pots. Lavender blossoms appear in spring. Harvest fresh chives by cutting at the base of the plant.

Because mint (Mentha spp.) spreads by runners and, in some cases, can take over the herb garden, it is a good choice for pot culture. Mint is a perennial herb hardy between USDA zones 5 through 11, depending on species, growing up to 2 feet. To encourage more crinkly, fragrant leaves, water daily, especially during hot spells, when pots can dry out quickly.

Thyme (Thymus spp.), including English or French thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus), grows well in pots small and large with well-drained soil. Growing up to 1 foot tall and wide, thyme plants have very small but aromatic leaves. Lemon thyme has attractive yellow and green variegated leaves and a lemony fragrance. Blooming with small pink or white flowers in the spring, USDA zones vary with cultivar but range from 4 through 9.

Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare hirtum) is perennial in USDA zones 5 through 11. A low-growing, creeping plant 6 inches to 8 inches high, it can spread up to 18 inches. Preferring well-drained soil, this herb has fuzzy, pungent green leaves used in cooking.