How to Grow Herbs on a Balcony
Updated June 2026
Fresh herbs are the highest-value thing you can grow in a small space. Here is how to do it in pots.
If you only grow one thing in a small space, make it herbs. They are expensive to buy, used in small amounts, and thrive in pots right outside the kitchen. A sunny balcony or windowsill can keep you in fresh herbs year round with very little effort.
Group herbs by their needs
The trick to a thriving balcony herb collection is putting like with like:
- Mediterranean herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage) want full sun, free-draining soil and little water. Group them together and let them dry between drinks.
- Soft leafy herbs (basil, parsley, coriander, mint, chives) want richer soil, steady moisture and some afternoon shade in heat. Group these separately.
Watering them as one group is what kills balcony herbs, the thirsty ones wilt or the woody ones rot. Sort them and you solve most problems.
Pots and position
Most herbs are happy in a 20 to 30 cm pot with good drainage. Mint is the exception, always grow it in its own pot, as it takes over anything it shares. Give herbs the sunniest spot you have, at least four to six hours, though leafy herbs appreciate afternoon shade in summer.
Keep them productive
Harvest little and often by pinching the growing tips, which makes plants bush out rather than go leggy or to seed. Pinch flower buds off basil and coriander to keep the leaves coming. Feed every few weeks with a light liquid feed, since frequent watering washes nutrients out of pots.
The easiest herbs to start with
For a first balcony collection, mint, chives, parsley, thyme and rosemary are nearly foolproof. Add basil in the warm months and coriander in the cool months. Buy a few as seedlings to start picking straight away, and sow the fast ones like coriander and rocket as you go.
Catch problems before they cost you a crop
Track every bed in the Planting Season app, log what is going wrong, and get region-specific reminders so the same problem does not bite twice.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
What herbs grow best on a balcony?
Mint, chives, parsley, thyme, rosemary, oregano and sage are all easy in pots, with basil added in the warm months and coriander in the cool months. Choose a mix of hardy perennials and quick leafy herbs.
How much sun do balcony herbs need?
Most want at least four to six hours of direct sun. Mediterranean herbs like rosemary and thyme want full sun, while soft leafy herbs like parsley and coriander cope with, and even prefer, some afternoon shade in hot weather.
Why do my potted herbs keep dying?
The most common cause is watering everything the same. Woody Mediterranean herbs rot if kept moist, while leafy herbs wilt if left dry. Group herbs by water need, use free-draining mix, and feed occasionally since pots lose nutrients.
Can I grow mint with other herbs?
No. Mint sends out runners that take over any shared pot, so always grow it in its own container. On its own it is one of the easiest and most productive balcony herbs.
How do I keep balcony herbs producing?
Harvest little and often by pinching the growing tips, which keeps plants bushy and delays flowering. Remove flower buds from basil and coriander, and give a light liquid feed every few weeks to replace nutrients washed out by watering.
See also: Container Herbs and Why Basil Flowers
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