Herb Plants That Can Be Potted Together

Sad but true: herbs have to bloom where they are planted, regardless of whether or not they like their neighbors. Almost all herbs can coexist, but you'll save water and get better results if you combine plants that have similar sun, soil and water preferences. It's also fun to group herbs thematically.

Put your thirstiest herbs together in the same pot, mixing colors and textures. Combine one "thriller plant" -- an impressive upright plant that appreciates damp soil, like parsley (Petroselinum spp.) or basil (Ocimum basilicum) -- to catch the eye. Add leafy French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa) as a filler, and chives (Allium schoenoprasum) to droop over the edges of the pot. French tarragon is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9, while chives thrive in zones 4 through 8.

Sage (Salvia spp., zones 5 - 10), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalus, zones 8 - 10) and thyme (Thymus spp., zones 2 - 10) grow happily together. Unlike parsley, all three prefer less water and soil that's kept on the dry side. Plant them in an unglazed terra-cotta pot that absorbs water. Add a tall "Mediterranean" herb like lavender (Lavandula angustifolia, zones 5 - 9) or dill (Anethum graveolens, annual). Add oregano (Origanum vulgare, zones 4 - 9) to provide the side frills.

Here today, gone tomorrow: annual herbs last for only one growing season. Try an annual herb salad container starting with borage (Borago officinalis) as the thriller, with its deep blue flowers perfect for salad accents. Surround it with herbal salad greats like arugula (Eruca vesicaria), chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) and summer savory (Satureja hortensis); then trail nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) around the edges. All like ample water and well-drained soil.

Pot up a selection of herbs to use in Mexican cooking. Start with cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) for its pungent, bright, abundant leaves. Tuck in epazote (Chenopodium ambrosioides) to flavor black beans, then fill in with little cumin plants (Cuminum cyminum) whose pink flowers produce the seeds that add an assertive flavor note to Mexican sauces and soups. A small hot pepper plant (Capsicum annuum) adds flair to the affair. All like full sun, regular watering and soil that drains easily.

Herbal teas are made from herbs, so tea lovers might unite a few favorite choices in one container. Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is an easy-to-grow annual, and combines beautifully with "lemon" herbs like brilliant tufts of lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla, zones 8 - 10), lemon balm (Mellisa officinalis, zones 3 - 9) or lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus, zones 9 - 10). All prefer sun and regular irrigation.

Shakespeare's Ophelia tells us that rosemary is for remembrance, and the fragrant perennial herb is a good start for a container of flowering herbs. Rosemary's tiny sapphire flowers also attract butterflies and make bees happy. Add rue (Ruta graveolens, zones 4 - 7) for its woodsy fragrance and sunny yellow flowers that will mix nicely with the tiny daisy-like blossoms of feverfew (Tanacetum-parthenium, zones 4 - 9.)