Top 5 Best Herbs To Grow In Pots - Low Maintenance Perennials

We have curated a list of the best herbs to grow in pots - which are of course low maintenance, multiuse perennials!  We have selected plants geared towards regenerative wellness - meaning they will provide you with many holistic benefits (think immune system!)

Regularly adding fresh herbs to your daily routines can be a gentle yet powerful way to support your body. While dried herbs from the grocery store can provide value in their own right, it is truly the fresh herbs that offer the strongest medicinal value. These herbs are multifunctional, easy to grow, and can live in raised beds, container gardens, and even window sills - don't feel limited to a pot. We hope you enjoy our list of the best herbs to grow in pots!

Why we chose perennials as the best herbs to grow in pots:

⚘ For the environment’s sake ~ Perennials are our best shot at reversing climate change! They sequester carbon from the atmosphere and draw it back down into the Earth’s soil. This restores a healthy carbon cycle.

⚘ For your sake ~ Once established, perennial plants generally need little care. Besides watering and light pruning, they take care of themselves!

⚘ For the soils sake ~ Perennial roots give structure to the soil. This reduces the likelihood of soil erosion, and increases the soil’s micro-biodiversity and ability to retain moisture.

What you will get out of growing these herbs in pots:

⟡ A healthy hobby ~ A wonderful excuse to get outside, care for something other than yourself, and be around their gentle and healing nature. 

⟡ Companionship ~ Yes - they will be your babies and you will love them!

⟡ Food ~ Add these herbs to savory or sweet dishes.

⟡ Medicine ~ Make teas, tinctures or infused vinegars! These herbs all of wonderful benefits for the immune system, and more. Find out in this free guide.

⟡ Body Care ~ Infuse these plants into oils for massage with added benefits. Or check out our Forest to Face skincare line for already infused 

⟡ Inspiration & creativity ~ paint a portrait of them, take a photograph, press their flowers for crafts, etc. etc. etc!

⟡ Reduced stress ~ Gardening has been shown to reduce stress levels.

We hope you are inspired to get your hands in the dirt! 

 Lemon Balm 

This delicious lemony perennial is actually in the mint family! Mints are infamous for being persistent growers in the garden - meaning they want to grow well and thrive. Mint family plants growing in a garden bed are known to take over the whole bed - making them one of the best herbs to grow in pots so that you can keep them in their place. Be wary of too much heat, as these babies can wilt easily. Preventatively, keep your lemon balm hydrated with regular watering. It will grow to be about one to two feet tall. Harvest the tops of the plants by cutting right at a node. Late winter or early spring cut back the dead stalks and you will see fresh new growth at the base.

 Rosemary 

This sturdy Mediterranean perennial grows as a shrub when planted in a large pot, or a small plant in a smaller pot. Rosemary is one of the best herbs to grow in a pot because in the cold winter months, you can take it inside and place it by a warm sunny window. The small yet beautiful blue flowers, and its aromatic leaves, make it a wonderful plant to keep around. It will thrive in ideal conditions - which is somewhere warm with mild humidity. Make sure not to over water your rosemary. Harvest the soft tips of the plant, just before it flowers, for the most potent leaves. An extra bonus of growing this perennial: it is a wonderful pollinator for bees.

Oregano

Hailing from Italy, this is an easy-going yet zesty perennial for your home garden. It likes a sunny, warm location and can dry out between waterings - a bit. When your oregano reaches about 4 inches in height, you can start harvesting by clipping the tops off and using it in your dishes. On hotter days, make sure to water to prevent drooping.

 Thyme 

A super low maintenance perennial herb! Beyond a bit of pruning after it flowers, and the occasional yet consistent watering, thyme will thrive and be able to tolerate drought conditions. Harvest the tops and throw in your dishes for an added boost of immune strengthening. Thyme is a great addition to a lifestyle based on regenerative wellness. 

 Lavender 

A beautiful and hardy plant for beginner gardeners. As an antimicrobial, lavender not only wards off germs for us humans, but it is great at warding off pests and unwanted microbes from itself! This plant really does not like to be overwatered, making it a pretty hands-off plant to grow. Its preferred environment is warm and dry. As long as it is planted in soil with good drainage, and in a spot with full sun to part shade, it should thrive. The part of the plant that most people use for culinary uses, teas, and body care is the unopened flower buds. The leaves, however, are also aromatic and valuable.

 What can you do with these perennial herbs? 

🌿 Read more about these herbs and their benefits for the immune system in our holistic guide to immunity. This free downloadable guide is packed with recipes, tricks and tips for a truly plant-based approach to a strong and vibrant immune system.

🌿 Make a tea blend out of your herbs grown in pots. Check out this spring renewal tea.

🌿 Learn how to make your own herbal remedies with Anato's founder, Celine, in her workshop, "Herbal Remedies 101 & DIY First Aid Balm"

Learn to cook with perennial plants