Can You Plant Multiple Herbs in One Pot? Here's the Answer

So we hear you want to start growing your own herb garden? Well, it’s about thyme! Planting herbs is one of the best ways to start as a beginner gardener because you can easily grow them inside. We often hear people ask us, “Can I plant multiple herbs in one pot?,” and the answer is yes, you can! You can grow as many types of herbs in one container as long as they require the same amount of light, water, and soil nutrition. In this blog, we’ll tell you more about what herbs you can grow together in the same pot and how to keep them thriving for as long as possible.

Benefits of Companion Planting

Aside from saving space, did you know that planting herbs in one pot can also benefit the plants’ health? Companion planting is one of the simplest ways to create a mini-ecosystem where different herbs help each other grow to their full potential. Here are a couple of awesome advantages to companion planting:

Companion Planting Saves Space

Well, duh! This one is a no-brainer. The first and most apparent benefit of planting herbs in the same pot is that it saves up tons of space, which is perfect for those living in urban areas trying to make the most out of their tiny gardens.

Companion Planting Improves Moisture Retention

When you bundle up herbs together in one pot, this means you will have less open soil. And when you have less open soil, it will become more difficult for the sun to dry up the moisture. That means less watering per plant and less maintenance for you.

Companion Planting Reduces Disease Issues

When plants of the same species are planted next to each other, diseases spread quicker. But when you plant different kinds of herbs beside each other, it can help break up your garden and slow down the spread of the disease. More importantly, countless testimonies have noticed that planting certain crops together can make them healthier and taste better. 

What Herbs Can You Plant Together?

Moisture-loving Herbs

Like we said earlier, you can plant herbs together as long as they have the same needs, so if you’ve got some basil, parsley, and lemon balm seeds lying around your home, don’t hesitate to plant them all in one container, given that they’ve got the proper spacing, of course. Although these herbs like their H2O, remember that they also don’t want to be drowning in it. The soil should only be moist and not overflowing. Basil, parsley, and lemon balm also thrive under a good amount of sunlight and proper drainage, so be sure to put your well-drained container in a sunny spot. Oh, and to make your life easier, did we mention we’ve got a Culinary Garden Kit that contains these herbs, too?

Mediterranean Herbs

Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary, cilantro, thyme, oregano, sage, chives, dill, and lavender love lots of sunlight and generally drier soil. These herbs also enjoy being given fertilizer, and ideally, the soil in the container should be rich, dark, and crumbly when you touch it. Unlike the moisture-loving herbs mentioned above, rosemary, cilantro, thyme, oregano, sage, chives, dill, and lavender prefer to have their soil dry out in between bouts of watering. You can also have a look at our Mediterranean Garden Kit for a no-fuss mini herb garden right on your kitchen counter.

Mints

Mint herbs are notorious for being invasive and overtaking your whole garden when planted on the ground. That’s why gardening experts recommend planting mint in a separate container from other herbs and plants. However, you can plant different varieties of mint together. Mints such as spearmint, peppermint, catmint, orange mint, and lemon balm can all be grown together in a long container when evenly spread out. An ideal spot to put your mint garden would be by a sunny, north-facing window that receives sunlight through a good chunk of the day. If this is unavailable to you, consider buying a small grow light to install over your mint herbs.

Best Tips for Planting Multiple Herbs in One Pot

You didn’t think we were going to leave you without any tips on growing herbs in a pot, did you? Here are some valuable reminders for when you decide to grow an herb garden indoors.

What Herbs to Plant?

If you’re still undecided about what to grow, we recommend planting herbs that you like to cook with or have sprinkled on top of your dish as a fancy garnish. Basil is always a crowd favorite that can liven up any pasta dish, and it grows well with parsley (the universal garnish) too. If you’re a meat-lover, then rosemary, thyme, and oregano are perfect for flavoring juicy steaks, roast chickens, and hearty stews. Remember the golden rule: you can only plant herbs together if they have the same growing needs. Otherwise, get another pot.

What Type of Planter and Soil Should You Use for Your Herbs?

We highly recommend using ceramic self-watering together with High-N nutrients. For soil, we recommend using a potting mix if you’re growing moisture-loving herbs or mint herbs and bonsai mix if you’re growing Mediterranean herbs. Of course, if you don’t have a ceramic self-watering planter, then you can use whatever pot you have that’s big enough (at least 18 inches in diameter) to fit multiple herbs. If you need more guidance on choosing a suitable planter, check out our detailed guide on selecting planters for herbs.

How Much Light Do You Need for Your Herbs?

You need six hours of direct sunlight to grow herbs, although some - especially the Mediterranean herbs - prefer even more. While many homes have a bright windowsill that will work just fine, most people don’t get quite enough sunshine for herbs to thrive. Grow lights can provide ideal conditions if you’re in this second group or just want faster growth with year-round consistency. If you’re not sure about your lighting situation, our lighting for herbs blog has a straightforward guide to getting you all set up. 

How Much Water Do You Need for Your Herbs?

Water needs are incredibly tricky to get right, especially as a novice gardener. That’s why we recommend using self-watering planters because it just makes your life so much easier. However, some tips to keep in mind are to let the soil dry slightly in between waterings for the Mediterranean herbs and maintain moisture in the soil at all times for the moisture-loving herbs.

For a more in-depth tutorial, check out our blog on understanding how to water your indoor plants.

Pinching and Pruning Your Herbs

Of course, we can’t forget about pinching and pruning our herbs. Pinching and pruning are more than just maintaining aesthetic purposes and keeping your plants looking nice and clean. Snipping your herbs at the right time will enable you to continually produce all the herbs you need and maximize your tiny herb garden. If you want to know more about pruning your herbs, read this detailed guide on pruning.

Growing herbs in the comfort of your own space isn’t that complicated if you’re equipped with the right knowledge. If you'd like to learn more about how to grow edible plants indoors, consider grabbing a FREE copy of our eBook below.