Container for Indoor Herbs [Buying and Care Guide]

To pick the best container for indoor herbs, you must consider material type and size, but the choice also rests on how far the herbs can fan out!

Seeing so many planter options for indoor herbs online or in stores may be baffling, but I’ve got you covered. Follow the article to select and buy the correct container for your favorite aromatic herbs.

How to Choose the Best Container for Indoor Herbs?

Learning the characteristics of your herbs makes it easier to know the type of flexible container for them. 

Every herb flourishes differently in different types of pots, and it also indicates how healthy the herbs get.

Some of the few aspects to be wary of during pot selection includes its size, shape, color, drainage system, and materials.

1. Container Materials

Every herb pot isn’t made of similar materials, and each doesn’t hold the same characteristics.

They all have merits and demerits of their own. 

Here are the 3 best material pots and their descriptions. 

Terracotta Pots

Terracotta pots are the most traditional yet used pots around.

The porous structure of terracotta pots gives the soil an excellent air passage and cools down the potting soil.

However, it also requires frequent watering as the soil dries out quickly for the same reason. 

Plastic Pots

Plastic pots are booming in popularity and are known for their lightweight nature and many options.

Also, they are available in a wide range of colors, inexpensive, and non-porous.

Thus, it keeps the air intact and helps to retain the soil moisture. 

As for its demerits, temperature fluctuations may damage the plastic material.

Ceramic Pots

Ceramic and terracotta pots are similar, but they function differently.

Also, ceramic pots are highly weather-resistant and depict a thicker build than the other pots.

Their thicker build resists frost and doesn’t let the soil dry out quickly. 

Moreover, ceramic pots come in various color schemes, sizes, and shapes. 

But these pots have less maneuverability. Also, they retain moisture for quite a long which makes them bottom-heavy.

You can also grow indoor herbs in metal pots, but they lack drainage holes, are heavy, prone to infestations, and heat up easily! 

2. Container Sizes

Every herb requires legroom, depending on how big and healthy they grow.

A larger space gives them much room to thrive in their roots. 

If the size confuses you, it’s a good deal to go with containers that are 6 inches, which is perfect for smaller herbs.

But you can also pick 8-10 inches pots which is the ideal size for all the herbs.

However, to grow different herbs in the same pot, 12-18 inches is wide enough to brace their spread.

3. Container Shapes and Colors

Basic circular, rectangular, or square pots are okay as long as they don’t hinder root growth, provide aeration, retain moisture, and have drainage holes.

However, there are tall cylindrical pots that are fitting for herbs with deep roots.

Similarly, pot colors bestow lively vibes and make your indoor herbal garden more cheerful.

But black plastic pots soak up too much heat and dry the soil quickly.

4. Drainage Holes

Pot drainage holes assist the excess water flowing out of the pot.

Without drainage holes, plants may succumb due to oxygen-poor environments. 

Some pots come with a plug-on drainage hole to prevent unnecessary leaking.

But some containers don’t have drainage holes, and it’s fine if it’s the perfect container for your plant.

That is because you can always carefully drill a hole for drainage on the bottom. 

Additionally, you can also place trays in your container. 

5. Tray or Saucer

A saucer is a disc placed under the container to catch the excess drained water.

Mostly, they are shallow, and you can buy them separately or even come together with the container itself.

Hence, it’s best to have a saucer beneath the plant containers to prevent spillage.

However, you must empty the saucer plate after watering the herbs.

But before doing so, let the water seep into the soil for the roots to absorb and drain out a little.

Special Extra Pots

The container for indoor herbs comes in various standard shapes and sizes.

• Hanging Pots: These work well for those plants requiring limited space, but the soil in these pots dries quickly. 
• Windows Boxes: The narrow plant containers in the windowsill that thrives on the plant and elevate the windows’ decorations. 
• Self-watering Pots: They use sub-irrigation, directly bringing water to the roots.

Best Container for Indoor Herbs

Indoor herbs can grow to their full potential by choosing the correct pots and soil type.

Below are a few names of the best pots for indoor herbs.

Care For Potted Indoor Herbs

Herbs’ basic cultural growth needs are the amount and duration of sunlight, fertilizer, water, soil and pH, humidity, temperature, pruning, and repotting.

However, these requirements may vary depending on the herbs themselves.

• Keep potted herbs in direct sunlight for 4-8 hours daily.
• Maintain a daytime temperature of around 65-70°F and a nighttime temperature of around 55-60°F.
• Water 1-3 times a week by keeping the soil dry between the watering routines.
• Offer standard herb fertilizer every 6 weeks in spring, summer, and fall while avoiding fertilizer application in winter. 

• Provide well-draining and water-retentive soil with pH levels set between 5 and 7.5.
• Keep humidity levels between 50-70%.
• Prune the flowering stalks to support the foliage growth once in a while or annually in early spring.
• Repot perennial herbs annually in early spring to manage their growing space.

FAQs About Containers for Indoor Herbs

Can you Grow Indoor Herbs in Wooden Containers?

You can grow indoor herbs in wooden planters, but limit the watering so they won’t rot.

Besides, these containers are best for herbs that prefer dry soil.

Are Clay Pots Good for Indoor Herbs?

People grow herbs in clay pots, but these pots can slowly change the pH of the potting soil.

So, you must offer a new clay pot for your herbs while repotting.