Herbs belong in every garden. But you can also cultivate them on the balcony. However, a distinction must be made between annual and perennial herbs. Below you will find out what you should consider when choosing a location.
In a nutshell
- A distinction is made between annual and perennial herbs
- There are also shade-loving and sun-loving herbs
- A partially shaded bed is usually accepted by all herbs
- Not all types of herbs can be cultivated together, some hinder each other's growth
- Some herbs want an annual change of location, if a herb only grows stunted, a change should be considered
Shady location
There are some herbs that do better in a shady spot than in a sunny spot. Because the blazing sun usually burns the leaves here and the effect of taste and smell is then no longer given. Herbs for shade include:
- Comfrey (Symphytum), perennial
- Watercress (Nasturtium officinale), perennial
- Wild garlic (Allium ursinum), perennial
- Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) annual, self-sowing
- Burnet (Sanguisorba minor) annual, self-seeding
- Woodruff (Galium odoratum), perennial
- Wasabi (Wasabia japonica), perennial
Source: Qwert1234, Eutrema okinosimense 2, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Different types of mint such as bergamot-mint or ginger-mint are also good for shady locations. Due to the high risk of perennial plants spreading, you should provide them with a root barrier in the garden bed or plant them directly in a bucket.
Notice: If you buy herbal plants in jars from the supermarket, you should usually use them up immediately. Because the soil in which you buy them is not the best. If you want to cultivate these plants, you should plant them as soon as possible in a suitable bed or a new bucket with fresh soil.
Partially shaded location
However, you can cultivate almost all herbal plants in a semi-shady location. But especially those who otherwise want a sunny spot. If the bed in the garden is partly in the sun and partly in the shade, then it is suitable for all herbs, as they can be used accordingly.
- Chervil (Anthriscus), annual, self-seeding
- Oregano (Origanum vulgare), perennial
oregano
- Peppermint (Mentha × piperita), perennial
- Parsley (Petroselinum crispum), biennial
- Chives (Allium schoenoprasum), annual or perennial, self-sowing
Notice: Herb plants such as parsley, oregano, dill and thyme prefer an annual change of location instead. They thrive better that way. However, you are welcome to plant these types of herbs in a bed where other herb plants have grown in the previous year.
Sunny location
Most herbal plants, especially those native to the Mediterranean region, prefer a sunny location. Both annual and perennial herbs can be cultivated here. However, the plants also accept a little shade at midday.
Annual herbal plants
The following annual and mostly self-seeding herbs are particularly suitable for a sunny spot:
- Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
- Savory (Satureja spec.)
- Borage (Borago officinalis)
- Dill (Anethum graveolens)
- Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
Origanum majorana, marjoram
Perennial herbs
The following perennial herbs are ideal for a sunny location:
- St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)
- Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
- Garlic (Allium sativum)
- Lovage (Levisticum officinale) often referred to as maggi herb
Levisticum officinale, lovage, maggi herb
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
- Sage (Salvia officinalis)
- Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
- Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Tip: If there is no garden or a suitable bed available, you can also cultivate the herbs individually in a small pot or with several plants in a large bucket and place them on a balcony or terrace.
frequently asked Questions
Can annual and perennial herb plants be cultivated together?It makes more sense not to plant the herb plants wildly in a bed. Because the perennial herbs need more rest to grow. However, if annual herb plants are removed between the perennials in autumn and sown again in spring, then there will be unrest in the herb bed, which should be avoided. It is therefore better to create two beds that can be placed directly next to each other.
What should the arrangement in the herb bed look like?If you want to plant or sow several herbs in a bed, then you should pay attention to the growth height here. The higher-growing herb plants in a border bed should always be planted towards the back. If it is a bed that can be walked on from all sides, the taller plants go in the middle and the others, sorted by size, around it until the lowest varieties can be planted at the edge.
Do all herbal plants get along with each other?It's the same as with other plants. Even when it comes to herbs, not all of them get along with each other. The first thing to do is to check the place. A shade-loving herb should never be planted in a sunny herb bed, otherwise chamomile, chives, marjoram and chervil go well together. Likewise the classics dill, chives and parsley. Thyme even goes well with all Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary, oregano or basil.
Do annual herbs have to be sown again every year?As a rule, many annual herb plants will self-seed again if they are still able to ripen their seeds after flowering. They should simply be left in the bed until late summer or autumn. Then they don't have to be sown again in the spring, they do it themselves.
Can herbal plants also be cultivated in a pot?Of course, most herbs can also be cultivated in a pot. This has the advantage that the location can be changed at any time if it is too sunny or too shady for the herb in question.