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Growing herbs is one of the easiest and most satisfying ways to start a balcony garden. In small spaces, herbs perform far better than most vegetables, and many of them actually prefer the airflow, warmth, and controlled soil conditions that pots provide. After years of growing herbs on tiny balconies east-facing, west-facing, windy upper floors, and shaded ground levels I’ve learned exactly which herbs thrive and which ones struggle.
This guide will help you choose the best herbs to grow on a balcony, set them up correctly, avoid common beginner mistakes, and keep a steady supply of fresh leaves all year.
Why These Herbs Thrive on Balconies
Balcony conditions can be tricky:
- Limited sun or harsh sun depending on orientation
- Wind exposure
- Containers that dry quickly
- Heat reflected from walls and railings
The herbs in this list handle those conditions because:
- They adapt well to containers
- They tolerate variable watering
- They stay compact
- They are heat or shade tolerant (depending on the type)
- They bounce back quickly after harvests
In real balcony gardens, these herbs consistently outperform fussier varieties.
Best Herbs to Grow on a Balcony
1. Basil
Best for: Sunny balconies Why it thrives: Loves warmth and grows fast with regular watering. Pot size: 8–10 inches Note from experience: Basil wilts fast if soil dries out but bounces back quickly if watered in time.
2. Mint
Best for: Full sun to shade Why it thrives: Almost unkillable and grows vigorously. Pot size: 10–12 inches (solo pot ONLY) Real-world tip: Mint turns leggy in harsh afternoon sun morning sun is ideal.
3. Rosemary
Best for: Hot, windy balconies Why it thrives: Naturally drought-tolerant and loves airflow. Pot size: 10–12 inches, terracotta preferred Warning: Most rosemary deaths come from overwatering, not underwatering.
4. Thyme
Best for: Sunny, warm balconies Why it thrives: Handles heat, dryness, and compact soil spaces. Pot size: 6–8 inches Hands-on tip: Mix a handful of sand or perlite to prevent root rot.
5. Parsley
Best for: Partial shade balconies Why it thrives: Likes cooler, indirect light and steady moisture. Pot size: 8–10 inches Observation: Parsley quietly collapses if allowed to fully dry keep soil lightly moist.
6. Chives
Best for: Any balcony with 3–6 hours of light Why it thrives: Hardy and forgiving. Pot size: 6–8 inches Pro tip: Divide clumps yearly for stronger growth.
7. Oregano
Best for: Sunny balconies Why it thrives: Tough Mediterranean herb that loves heat. Pot size: 8–10 inches Tip: Trim regularly or it becomes woody.
8. Sage
Best for: Sunny balconies Why it thrives: Thick leaves tolerate heat and drought. Pot size: 10 inches Tip: Avoid heavy feeding sage prefers lean soil.
9. Cilantro (Coriander)
Best for: Cool or partially shaded balconies Why it thrives: Prefers lower temperatures Pot size: 8 inches Warning: Bolts quickly in hot, sunny balconies succession sow every 3–4 weeks.
10. Lemon Balm
Best for: Shaded balconies Why it thrives: Refreshing mint-family herb that tolerates low light. Pot size: 10–12 inches Tip: Pinch often to avoid legginess.
What You’ll Actually Need
- Pots with drainage holes
- Good-quality potting mix (not garden soil)
- Compost or organic fertilizer
- Mulch (dried leaves, coco husk, straw)
- Watering can
- Sunny or partially shaded spot (depending on herb)
- A saucer or tray to catch drips (important for apartment balconies)
Eco-friendly alternatives:
- Reuse food-grade buckets
- Add crushed charcoal or pebbles for better drainage
Step-by-Step: Planting Herbs on a Balcony
1. Choose Your Balcony Spot
- South-facing: Best for basil, rosemary, thyme, sage
- East-facing: Great for most herbs
- West-facing: Use heat-tolerant herbs and water more often
- North-facing: Stick to mint, parsley, chives
2. Prepare the Soil
Mix:
- 70% potting soil
- 20% compost
- 10% perlite/sand
This prevents soggy soil, the biggest cause of herb failure.
3. Plant Herbs Correctly
- Water soil lightly before planting
- Plant at the same depth as nursery pots
- Gently loosen roots if compacted
- Place wind-sensitive herbs near walls or corners
4. Watering
General rule:
- Water when the top 1 inch feels dry
- Water deeply until drainage holes drip
- Morning watering is safest
Signs of underwatering:
- Basil droops
- Parsley tips curl
- Soil pulls away from pot edges
Signs of overwatering:
- Yellowing leaves
- Soft stems
- Fungus gnats
5. Feeding
Use mild fertilizer:
- Liquid organic feed every 2 weeks
- Or slow-release pellets every 6–8 weeks
6. Harvesting
- Basil: Pinch above leaf nodes
- Rosemary/thyme/oregano: Snip soft tips
- Parsley: Cut outer stems first
- Chives: Cut at soil level
Correct harvesting encourages bushier, healthier herbs.
Pro Tips & Best Practices (From Hands-On Balcony Growing)
- Group herbs by water needs
- Avoid black pots in hot balconies they overheat
- Add mulch to slow evaporation
- Rotate pots every 2 weeks for even sun
- Protect young herbs from strong wind
- Never plant mint or lemon balm with other herbs they dominate
- Don’t let basil flower flavor weakens
Common mistakes beginners make:
- Overwatering Mediterranean herbs
- Using garden soil (too heavy)
- Ignoring balcony wind exposure
- Buying oversized potting bags (balconies need light soil)
FAQs (Beginner-Friendly, Voice Search Optimized)
What herbs grow best on a small apartment balcony?
Mint, basil, rosemary, thyme, parsley, and chives perform best in limited space.
Can I grow herbs on a balcony with little sunlight?
Yes mint, parsley, lemon balm, and chives handle low light well.
How often should I water balcony herbs?
Usually every 1–3 days depending on temperature and pot size.
Why is my basil turning yellow?
Most likely overwatering or insufficient sunlight.
Can I grow herbs together in the same pot?
Yes, except mint or lemon balm they spread aggressively and choke out others.
How do I stop herbs from drying out in summer?
Use mulch, choose deeper pots, and water early in the morning.
When NOT to Grow Certain Herbs on a Balcony
Avoid:
- Growing basil or cilantro on extremely windy balconies
- Growing rosemary or thyme in heavy shade
- Planting any herb in pots without drainage
- Using very small pots (dry out too fast)
If your balcony gets less than 2 hours of sun daily, stick to leafy greens and shade-loving herbs only.
Alternatives to Traditional Pots
Vertical Herb Towers
Good for tiny balconies Drawback: Dry out fast
Railing Planters
Great sun exposure Drawback: Heat buildup in summer
Self-Watering Pots
Beginner-friendly Drawback: Not ideal for herbs that prefer drier soil (rosemary, thyme)
Conclusion
Growing the best herbs to grow on a balcony doesn’t require huge space or advanced skills just the right plant choices and a simple routine. Herbs like basil, mint, rosemary, thyme, parsley, and chives thrive beautifully in balcony environments and can give you continuous fresh harvests with very little effort.
Start with 3–4 easy herbs, observe how they respond to your balcony’s light and wind, and expand from there. With patience and consistent care, even a small balcony can become a fragrant, productive herb garden.