What Herbs Do I Plant in a Container?

Sun-loving Herbs

• Fill sunny windowsills with hanging planter boxes packed with small herbs, such as thyme, marjoram and golden oregano. Plant taller herbs, such as basil, fennel and cilantro, in individual pots or use a large container to fashion an informal arrangement. To create an eye-catching display, place tall, upright herbs such as dill, at the back of an arrangement and smaller, flowering herbs, such as chamomile, at the front.

Herbs for Shady Places

• Dark corners are the ideal place to use herbs to create texture and color, filling in a spare piece of ground where nothing else seems to grow. Choose an elegant container and add chives for seasonal interest; the lovely lavender-pink blossoms will add a bright splash of color in the early days of summer. Surround the chives with parsley and enjoy the beauty of its curly, emerald green foliage. Use angelica as a focal point in a shady herb garden. The large leaves and striking, globular flower heads turn this six-foot-tall herb into a stunning display piece.

Woody Herbs

• Bushy plants, such as bay, lavender and rosemary, look like small shrubs, but they are technically herbs. These large, shrubby plants can be grown in tubs and used to decorate the patio or grouped together to create an aromatic, welcoming display by the front or back door.

Invasive Herbs

• Herbs such as mint, tarragon, bee balm, lemon balm, and tansy are infamous for being invasive. These herbs spread by sending out underground stems that emerge among other plants, stealthily creeping into areas of the garden where they are not welcome. Once established, these plants are notoriously difficult to remove. Fortunately, these hardy herbs can be easily corralled by being planted in pots. Developing runners can be easily spotted dangling from the side of the planter and simply snipped off.