Not only colorful flowers can be grown on the balcony, because a well-designed herb bed also provides a visual eye-catcher. This article includes one of the many possible combinations of herbs for flower boxes, as well as helpful tips for growing!

herbs

If you want to grow herbs, you don't need a garden! Because numerous herbs can be cultivated together in the balcony box and, with proper care, can often be harvested all year round. However, there are a few things to consider here as well: The ideal combination of herbs is not only essential for seasoning dishes, because some also harmonize particularly well when growing - as long as they are used next to each other.

herbs in pots

mixed culture

Mixed culture of herbs

Growing different herbs together in the flower box is not only an eye-catcher, but also has numerous advantages: Many plants have valuable properties from which their neighbors can benefit considerably. This includes above all the protective factor, because some herbs emit scents that deter and/or drive away numerous pests. In return, other herbs attract animal helpers, which are considered natural enemies of certain pests. But be careful, not all herbs can be easily grown next to each other in one pot! If you want to combine the different herbs, you should therefore consider the following.

  • Location: not all herbs tolerate sunny places
  • Soil requirements: sandy, loamy, loose, etc.
  • Nutrient requirements: too many heavy feeders deplete the soil
  • Water requirements: some herbs do not tolerate moisture/dryness
  • Growth height: plants that are too large overgrow/displace others
  • Lifespan: annual/perennial

lifespan

The lifespan of the plant is essential for the optimal combination within the flower box. Because the annual specimens have to be taken out of the pot in autumn, whereby the roots of the plant neighbors must not be damaged. It is therefore advisable to preferably grow annual and perennial herbs separately in one pot. If you still want the plants next to each other in a balcony box, you should not place the annual specimens in the middle of the perennials.

combine herbs

herbal combinations

Herbs from B to D

basil

The pleasantly fragrant basil can be cultivated individually in a pot, but it also looks particularly good in a flower box. Used together with other herbs, it protects its neighbors from whitefly infestation and reduces the risk of powdery mildew. On top of that, it drives away fruit flies and mosquitoes and at the same time attracts bees. In order for the herb to grow and thrive properly, it needs to be in a warm, sunny spot. Hibernation, on the other hand, is not possible, because the royal herb usually dies in autumn. It is therefore advisable not to place the herbaceous plant in the middle between perennial plants.

  • Latin name: Ocimum basilicum
  • Synonyms: king herb, pepper herb, basil herb, basilge, battle herbs
  • Growth height: 20 to 40 cm
  • Flowering period: July to September
  • Harvest time: all year round
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Good neighbors: garden thyme
  • Bad neighbors: dill, marjoram, rue
Basil in the pot

Tip: The royal herb should be harvested regularly throughout the year. The best way to do this is to pick the leaves by the leaf axils so that new shoots can form.

dill

When growing dill, it should be noted that the herb is one of the deep-rooted plants. Dill should therefore always be planted in a sufficiently deep pot. The spot should also be as sheltered as possible from the wind, as strong winds can cause the leaf shoots to snap. Dill is best grown with herbs, which also prefer a sunny spot.

  • Latin name: Anethum graveolens
  • Synonyms: cucumber herb, dill
  • Growth height: 30-130 cm
  • Flowering period: July-August
  • Harvest time: all year round
  • Location: sunny
  • Good neighbors: marjoram, parsley, rosemary, thyme, sage
  • Bad neighbors: fennel, garden cress, basil, chives
Dill, Anethum graveolens

Notice: Dill also does well in a shady spot, but the lack of sun affects the aroma.

Herbs from K to P

Nasturtium

The nasturtium is not hardy and is therefore mostly cultivated as an annual. However, the caper flower has a special property, because it sows itself. This means that in the following year a new specimen usually grows at the same location. She is not particularly choosy about her plant neighbours, because she can be combined with almost all herbs.

  • Latin name: Tropaeolum majus
  • Synonyms: cress, lettuce flower, inca cress, caper flower
  • Growth height: around 30 cm, but up to 3m possible
  • Flowering period: late May to early October
  • Harvest time: June to October
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Good neighbors: dill, cilantro, cuttings
  • Bad neighbors: parsley
Nasturtium

marjoram

Another particularly flavorful herb is marjoram, which is closely related to oregano. The tripe herb prefers a full sun location and thrives best in the immediate vicinity of chamomile. Marjoram is originally a perennial herb, but in local regions it is usually cultivated as an annual. In this case, it should be noted that marjoram is incompatible with itself and should therefore be cultivated at a different location in the following year.

  • Latin name: Origanum majorana
  • Synonyms: real marjoram, sausage herb, tripe herb, Mairon, roast herb
  • Growth height: up to 90 cm
  • Flowering period: June to September
  • Harvest time: best before flowering
  • Location: sunny
  • Good neighbors: chamomile, parsley, dill, chives
  • Bad neighbors: basil, fennel, thyme
Marjoram, Origanum majorana

Parsely

Parsley is ideally grown on an east or west-facing balcony, as it prefers sunny to slightly shady spots. Under certain circumstances, however, the robust little plant can also be cultivated in a balcony box on a south-facing balcony, as long as it is not exposed to the blazing sun. If the parsley is grown in the balcony box together with other plants, there are a few things to consider. This is because the herb is deep-rooting on the one hand and sensitive to too much water on the other.

  • Latin name: Petroselinum crispum
  • Synonyms: kitchen herb, parsley, Peterling
  • Growth height: 25-80 cm
  • Flowering period: June and July
  • Harvest time: best before flowering
  • Location: partially shaded
  • Good neighbors: cuttings, dill
  • Bad neighbors: peppermint, chamomile
Parsely

Notice: Once the parsley has flowers, it should no longer be harvested. Because the leaves contain the toxic substance apiol, which is contained in particularly high quantities after flowering.

Herbs from R to S

rosemary

Another Mediterranean herb that can be excellently combined with other herbs is rosemary. Because the evergreen plant keeps pests such as the cabbage white and the carrot fly away. In addition, Antonkraut has a positive effect on the growth of basil and noticeably promotes it. However, the perennial little plant does not only affect its plant neighbors: Because the colorful flowers and the pleasant scent also attract numerous butterflies.

  • Latin name: Rosmarinus officinalis
  • Synonyms: Rosemary, Anton herb, frankincense herb, bride herb
  • Growth height: up to 2m
  • Flowering time: March to April
  • Harvest time: all year round
  • Location: full sun
  • Good neighbors: basil, thyme, chives, sage
  • Bad Neighbors: Cabbages
Rosemary in a pot

Tip: If the frankincense herb is overwintered professionally, it will bear colorful flowers in spring. These are great for garnishing food, but can also be eaten straight from the bush.

sage

The Mediterranean subshrub is best cultivated on a south-facing balcony, as it is best placed in full sun. On the other hand, he is not particularly choosy when it comes to his neighbors with herbs, only he does not tolerate the direct proximity to basil. In the balcony box, it harmonises very well with fennel, among other things, as it enhances its aroma. In addition, sage has a high nectar value and thus attracts bees and bumblebees.

  • Latin name: Salvia officinalis
  • Synonyms: real sage, garden sage, precious sage
  • Growth height: 30-60 cm
  • Flowering period: May to mid-July
  • Harvest time: late May to mid-August
  • Location: full sun
  • Good neighbors: garden thyme, rosemary, oregano
  • Bad Neighbors: Basil
sage

chives

The strong, spicy cutting is an ideal candidate for home cultivation on the balcony. If you want to grow the perennial plant in the balcony box together with other herbs, you should preferably consider a mixed culture of chives, parsley and rosemary. Because the cutting exudes a pungent smell, which keeps numerous pests away. In particular, the risk of infestation by the carrot fly is significantly reduced by the grass leek.

  • Latin name: Allium schoenoprasum
  • Synonyms: Jacob's leek, cuttings, scallops, rush leek, grass leek
  • Growth height: up to 50 cm
  • Flowering period: late April/early June
  • Harvest time: all year round
  • Good neighbors: rosemary, thyme, parsley, dill, camomile, chervil,
  • Bad neighbors: cilantro
Chives, Allium schoenoprasum

Tip: In the flowering period, the cut bears pink to purple flowers, which are also edible.

Herbs from T to Z

thyme

The garden thyme is a particularly popular kitchen spice, which tastes slightly tart and is particularly suitable for Mediterranean dishes. The herb grows relatively compact and can be perfectly combined with other herbs in the flower box. Because the perennial herb keeps aphids and ants away, among other things, and proves to be a deterrent against cutworms and the coal white. It doesn't take a lot of effort for the tripe herb to feel good all around, because it just wants to be fertilized and watered a little.

  • Latin name: Thymus vulgaris
  • Synonyms: garden thyme, virgin humility, henweed, tripe, thyme
  • Growth height: up to 40 cm
  • Flowering period: July to September
  • Harvest time: all year round, but best before flowering
  • Location: full sun
  • Good neighbors: basil, fennel, coriander, sage
  • Bad neighbors: marjoram
thyme

Tip: Thyme flowers can also be harvested and eaten.

lemon balm

Lemon balm is considered "the intolerant one" because it actually gets along with almost all herbs and supports their growth. On top of that, it is considered an extremely valuable source of food for bees and, thanks to its lemon-like scent, magically attracts the natural helpers. Lemon balm also owes its name to this property, because "melissa" comes from the Greek and means "bee".

  • Latin name: Melissa officinalis
  • Synonyms: lemon balm, beeweed
  • Growth height: 30-60 cm
  • Flowering period: early June to late August
  • Harvest time: all year round, larger quantities before flowering
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Good neighbors: almost all herbs
  • Bad neighbors: basil
Lemon balm, Melissa officinalis

Notice: With proper care, lemon balm can live for 20 years or more.

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