Best Pots for Growing Herbs on your Apartment Balcony: Make Sure You Get The Best Pots!

If you have an apartment balcony, or a patio apartment that you’re interested in growing herbs and other plants in, it’s time to find the best pots for growing herbs in your balcony or patio. These are just as important as what herbs you want to grow. Your balcony will be a focal point in the home, and you want it to look nice, even when you’re not using it.

You’ll need some pots to get started with growing herbs in your balcony or patio. The type of pots you choose is totally up to you. Most gardeners will go with some kind of plastic pot, which is easy to clean and keep clean. Other people will go for clay pots.

The best material for pots

I’m not talking about an expensive ceramic pot, although that has its own appeal to those looking to have an herb gardens in their living rooms or porches. I’m talking about pots that will allow you to grow herbs in your balcony or patio.

There are many types of these, including ones made from metal, plastic, glass, and plastic. They come in different shapes and sizes. There’s something out there to meet almost every growing need.

The main purpose of the pot is to hold the herbs and the water for the plants, and it must have holes in the bottom. You don’t want it to be too large so you can’t spread them all out.

The smaller the pot is, the less it will take to water and to keep the herbs hydrated. If you don’t have enough room for a larger pot, you may want to consider a small clay pot, one of the smallest pots available.

Pots with herb seedlings
Image by Hans Braxmeier from Pixabay

Optimal pot size

Some herbs do better in smaller pots, than others do. Thyme, basil, dill, chives, mint and parsley will do fine in a three or four-gallon pot. Lemon verbena, rosemary will do fine in a ten gallon pot.

Most herbs need at least one inch of space for them to grow. If you do have a huge area that you can use as a container, go ahead and use it.

Best soil mixture for growing herbs

Many herbs will grow in a variety of soil as well as being planted directly into the pot. You can use all natural, organic soil or buy one that contains fertilizer and additives to help the growth of the herbs. For the soil, you’ll need perlite, coarse sand or peat, or vermiculite.

Selecting the Best Pot Size for Growing Herbs

The best pot size for growing herbs is one that give you adequate space for growing, but also a reasonable amount of light. Some herbs are actually quite hardy and can handle all kinds of climate changes, so they don’t require any special pot size at all.

Herbs like basil and oregano can tolerate pretty much any pot, but it’s important to know the types of soil that will be suitable for your herb growing garden, and what type of container would work best for your specific needs. Here are some of the best pots to grow herbs in, and what kinds of pots you should be using if you plan to grow a lot of herbs.

Mini Pots 1 Gallon

Many people are surprised by the size of a wide pot. Most people think that these pots are made for only growing small plants, but you can grow pretty much any kind of herb in one of these.

The best thing about these is that they give you the opportunity to grow small amounts of herbs without having to spread your efforts out across a huge amount of space.

Regular Pots 3 – 5 Gallons

One of the simplest ways to plant herbs is with a regular pot. This doesn’t mean you have to buy the largest pot you can find – a regular pot can be just as effective as some larger ones if you just have a little extra room.

It’s important not to plant too many herbs in the same pot though, because it can cause them to overcrowd each other and crowd out the nutrients and water they need. If you don’t plan on growing too many herbs in the same container, then a regular pot is just fine.

One thing that can make a big difference when growing herbs in pots though, is to be sure you use the correct drainage holes on the bottom of the container. Some pots don’t have drainage holes, and those are the ones you want to avoid.

Plastic Pots
Image by Dave175 from Pixabay

Large Pots 10 Gallon

These are the most common sizes, because they’re extremely convenient and give you the space you need to grow your herbs. These pots are ideal if you plan to keep growing your herbs year after year, since they can grow relatively easily once they’ve been established.

The large pots also allow you to grow many types of herbs in one container, and if you have more than one type of herb, they’ll grow well together in the same pot.

Decorative Pots

Some people have decided to use their pots as a sort of art project, or as a place to put special things. Whatever the reason, a decorative pot is an excellent way to enhance your space in your home, so your herbs look great and smell delicious.

Tips

Other than just growing herbs in a regular pot, there are other ways to use your pots in your home. You can grow a few different kinds of herbs in one or two pots so you can make a nice little potpourri by grouping them in your kitchen.

There are plenty of ideas out there, if you’re ready to invest in one of these pots. With a little patience and research, you can make a very beautiful indoor herb garden on your balcony and grow all sorts of herbs!

Author

  • Vince S

    Hello, I'm Vince, and I bring over 25 years of dedicated experience in the world of herb gardening. From cultivating fragrant basil to nurturing hardy rosemary, my journey as a passionate herb enthusiast has allowed me to explore the wonders of these versatile plants. Through diyherbgardener.com, I'm thrilled to share my knowledge, tips, and insights to help you embark on your own herb gardening adventures. Let's grow together!