There’s nothing quite like the short walk from your balcony to your kitchen to grab a handful of fresh herbs. That summer aroma is unbeatable, and the best part? You don’t need a huge backyard to make it happen. Most herbs are perfectly happy in a balcony planter! However, since space and sunlight are usually at a premium, you’ll want to be a bit strategic. Before you start planting, let’s find the perfect herb mix for your specific setup.
The Secret to Happy Herb Neighbors
Most of the time, you only need a few sprigs to make a dish pop, which means you can easily fit several different herbs into one long planter. But you can’t just throw them together at random. The golden rule is: Match herbs with similar personalities. When picking your plant roommates, keep these factors in mind:
- Sunlight: Full sun, partial shade, or full shade?
- Soil Type: Do they like it sandy, loamy, or super well-draining?
- Hunger Levels: How much fertilizer do they actually need?
- Thirst: Are they water-guppie or drought-tolerant?
- Growth Habit: How tall and wide will they get?
- Lifespan: Are they one-season wonders (annuals) or long-term residents (perennials)?
Best Herbs for a Sunny South-Facing Balcony
If your balcony is a sun-drenched hotspot, you’ll want “sun-worshippers” that won’t wilt the moment things heat up. This is the perfect home for Mediterranean perennial herbs like oregano, thyme, sage, and rosemary. Lavender is also a fantastic choice—it’s a great herb for keeping wasps away—but it can get pretty bushy. Look for a “compact” or “dwarf” variety so it doesn’t bully its neighbors. Annual basil also loves the heat and helps keep mosquitoes at bay. If you have herbs that are sensitive to direct, scorching light, it’s better to keep those on a bright windowsill indoors.
Herbs That Love Partial Shade
If your balcony gets a break from the intense midday sun, you’ve got plenty of options. Chervil, parsley, cilantro, dill, and lemon balm are the “Big Five” for partial shade. They appreciate the light but prefer to stay a little cooler.
Pro Tip:
If your balcony garden is growing like crazy and you can’t eat it fast enough, try juicing your herbs for a healthy, flavorful kick!
Can You Grow Herbs in the Shade?
While a fully shaded balcony is a bit more challenging, you aren’t out of luck! There are a few hardy varieties that don’t mind the dark. Chives, watercress, nasturtium, wild garlic (ramson), and peppermint are all solid contenders for shadier spots.
Harvesting and Overwintering
You can start pruning and harvesting your herbs as soon as they’ve grown enough stems to handle it. You can usually keep harvesting right up until the first frost. Just keep in mind that every herb has its own “peak flavor” window—some might get a bit bitter or lose their punch once they start to flower.
When winter hits, your annual herbs will naturally bow out. Perennials, on the other hand, vary in hardiness. Since plants in containers are more vulnerable to freezing than those in the ground, make sure to give them some extra insulation or bring them inside to a frost-free spot for the winter.
