How to grow herbs in a hanging basket step by step

This easy herb basket takes just a few minutes to put together and gives you all the advantages of growing your own delicious herbs without taking up too much space.

What herbs can I grow in a hanging basket?

Many herbs will perform well in a hanging basket, including oregano, chives, rosemary and herbs. When thinking about which herbs to pick, ask yourself which herbs do you use the most in the kitchen? After all, there is no point filling a hanging basket with herbs that you are rarely going to use.

Herbs can be grown from seedlings, but you can also grow on from supermarket-bought herbs.

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Why use a hanging basket for herbs?

Growing herbs in hanging baskets is a great way of maximising space in the garden, meaning a plethora of herbal goodness at your fingertips without sacrificing garden space that could be otherwise utilised.

Hanging baskets of herbs can also be easily moved around, for example into and out of shade as needed.

If you have children, growing herbs in hanging baskets can be a fun project for them. Hanging baskets of herbs create a small but exciting space for children to experiment with gardening for the first time without too much maintenance required and with tasty results.

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Finally, hanging baskets full of herbs can simply be an attractive addition to the garden, especially if you add a few edible flowers, such as violas, for colour.

What you will need to grow a hanging basket of herbs

A wicker hanging basket is held up for the camera, on the table are many pots of herbs such as chives and parsley, as well as viola blooms.

Put simply, a basket and herbs!

Any basket will do, as long as there are holes for drainage. Wire, plastic and wicker make good, lightweight choices. Hanging baskets can be bought in many places, including garden centres and online. Or you could DIY it.

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Herbs can be sown from seed or from supermarket pots. Herbs initially can be expensive, however they are easy and rewarding to grow.

You will also need some peat-free compost to fill the base of the basket. Controlled-release fertiliser may also be a good addition to your basket, although this is optional.


How to grow herbs in a hanging basket step by step

Step 1. Fill the base of the basket with peat-free compost, allowing room at the top to place your plants. Mix in a little controlled-release fertiliser (optional).

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Step 2. Place your central plants, designed to give height to the middle of your basket. Here we used two pots of chives.

Step 3. Start to place your filler plants around the edge. We alternated curly-leaf parsley with violas to add colour. The viola blooms are also edible.

Step 4. Fill in around your plants with more compost, making sure you don’t leave any air gaps. Hang your basket up and give it a good soaking.


How to grow herbs in a hanging basket (in pictures)

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About the Author

Alex Bestwick
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