What herbs grow best in window boxes?
Written by
Michael Sullivan
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Growing herbs in window boxes provides you with fresh flavors a short distance from your cooking area. Some taxa do better in confined spaces than others. Basil and mint are the leaders in terms of growth rate and culinary use. Given proper attention, these plants adapt well to life in containers.
Rosemary and thyme, which are herbs from the Mediterranean region, thrive well in a window box with good drainage. Drought tolerance is a natural characteristic of these herbs, making them suitable for container gardening. They prefer to be located in the sunniest part of your home, preferably on a south-facing window, where at least six hours of direct sunlight are available daily for optimal production of essential oils.
Varieties that benefit from moisture, such as chives and parsley, flourish in partial shade. They are perfect for your window that faces east. These herbs prefer consistent watering but dislike having their roots in soggy soil. Their root systems are shallow enough that a standard container, 6 inches deep, will work well.
Sunlight Champions
- Basil: Requires full sun for maximum leaf production
- Rosemary: Needs direct light for essential oil development
- Oregano: Thrives with 6+ hours of sunlight daily
Shade Tolerant Choices
- Mint: Prefers morning sun and afternoon shade
- Parsley: Grows well with only 4 hours of light
- Chives: Produces reliably in partial shade conditions
Soil Specialists
- Lavender: Demands alkaline, well-draining soil mixes
- Cilantro: Requires moist but not soggy conditions
- Thyme: Prefers gritty soil with excellent drainage
Proper drainage is essential to keep the roots of all window box herbs from rotting. Drill holes at four-inch intervals along the bottoms of the containers used. Use coarse sand in the soil mixtures to promote better moisture flow through the soil. The moisture content should be checked before watering to encourage ideal conditions.
Understanding your situation and selecting the right varieties to match is the first step toward success. Mediterranean herbs are sun-loving plants, and a south-facing window will provide optimal support for their growth. Alternatively, north-facing locations can accommodate a shade-tolerant herb, such as mint or parsley. The key takeaway is to select plants that match the available light for your container garden to ensure its success.
Frequent harvesting encourages bushier herbs in window boxes. Snip mint and basil every week to prevent flowering. Cut rosemary and thyme with scissors at the stems just above the leaf nodes. Frequent selections result in more foliage during the growing season.
Read the full article: 10 Best Window Box Herbs for Your Kitchen
