Growing mixed herbs in pots is one of the easiest ways to create a useful edible garden, even if you only have a balcony, patio, courtyard, windowsill, or small sunny corner. A container garden brings fresh flavour close to the kitchen, makes watering and harvesting convenient, and lets you move plants when the weather changes.
This guide explains how to grow mixed herbs in pots from seed, with practical advice on choosing containers, preparing the growing mix, sowing, watering, thinning, feeding, harvesting, and managing South African heat, wind, and winter conditions. Our Mixed Herb Seeds also include borage, giving your herb garden an extra edible-flower and pollinator-friendly element.
Why Grow Mixed Herbs in Containers?
Containers give you control. You can choose the best position, improve the soil mix, protect plants from heavy rain, and move pots away from frost or extreme afternoon heat. Pots are also easier to place near a back door, outdoor cooking area, or sunny kitchen window.
A mixed herb planting can provide different leaf shapes, scents, flavours, and harvest times in one compact space. It can be ornamental as well as productive, especially when flowering herbs and borage attract bees. Growing from seed is economical and lets you see which plants perform best in your own conditions.
For a wider edible-garden plan, read our guide to growing your own food from seed in South Africa.
What Is in a Mixed Herb Seed Mix?
A mixed seed packet can contain several herb varieties, so the exact seedlings may differ in shape, colour, speed, and final size. Read the packet information before sowing and keep a simple record of what emerges. Our Mixed Herb Seeds include borage, which is known for its blue star-shaped flowers and edible flowers grown specifically for culinary use.
Because different herbs do not all grow at the same speed, a mixed sowing is best treated as a small experiment rather than a perfectly uniform crop. Some seedlings may emerge first, while others need more warmth or time. Give every plant enough room once you can identify it.
Do not assume that every plant in a mixed ornamental or decorative seed mix is edible. Harvest only herbs you can identify confidently and that have been grown without unsuitable chemical treatments.
Choosing the Right Pot
Choose a container with drainage holes at the base. Herbs dislike sitting in stagnant water, and poor drainage is one of the fastest ways to lose seedlings and young plants.
A container at least 20–30 cm deep works well for a mixed herb planting. A wide trough or planter makes harvesting easy and provides more stable moisture than a tiny pot. If you want to grow larger plants such as borage, choose a deeper and wider container because borage can become substantial in a warm growing season.
Terracotta pots are attractive and breathable, but they dry out quickly in hot or windy conditions. Plastic and glazed pots hold moisture for longer but still need drainage. Any container can work if it is clean, stable, and large enough for the plants you intend to grow.
Do not place a large pot where it blocks a walkway or can be blown over. Balcony gardeners should use heavy, secure containers and avoid allowing water to drip onto people or property below.
Finding the Best Position
Most herbs prefer bright light, with around four to six hours of direct sun as a useful starting point. A position with morning sun and protection from harsh afternoon heat can work well in hot South African regions. Too much shade often produces weak, stretched growth and less flavour.
Good airflow is important, especially when several herbs share a pot. Leave space between containers and avoid pressing foliage against a damp wall. On a windy balcony, place pots near a sheltered screen, but do not trap them in a completely stagnant corner.
Keep containers close enough to the kitchen that harvesting is convenient. Herbs are more useful when you can snip a few leaves while cooking rather than remembering to make a special trip to the far end of the garden.
Preparing a Potting Mix
Use a quality potting mix designed for containers or vegetables. It should hold enough moisture for roots without becoming heavy and waterlogged. Garden soil alone can compact inside a pot and restrict drainage, so combine it with a suitable container mix rather than filling a pot with dense soil from the ground.
Mix in mature compost if the growing medium is poor, but avoid fresh manure around seeds and young roots. A thin mulch layer can help reduce evaporation once seedlings are established. Keep mulch away from the base of each stem to reduce the risk of rot.
Before sowing, check that water can flow freely from the drainage holes. Raise the pot slightly on feet or small blocks if it sits on a hard surface where holes could become blocked.
How to Sow Mixed Herb Seeds in Pots
- Fill and settle the container. Leave a small gap below the rim so watering does not wash the mix over the sides.
- Moisten the surface. Water gently before sowing so the seeds are not displaced by a strong stream.
- Sow thinly. Scatter seeds with enough space that emerging seedlings are not immediately crowded.
- Cover according to seed size. Small seeds need only a light covering, while larger seeds can be planted more deeply. Follow the packet guidance where available.
- Label the pot. Write the sowing date and mix name on a label so you can track growth.
- Water gently. Use a fine rose or bottom-watering method until seedlings are established.
Germination time can vary because a mixed packet contains different plants. Keep the pot evenly moist, provide bright light, and resist the urge to discard slower areas too early. Some seedlings may appear days or weeks after the first shoots.
Should You Sow All the Seeds Together?
You can sow a small amount in one container, but do not overcrowd the pot. If the packet contains several varieties, a useful approach is to divide the seed into two or three sowings. This gives you more information about what grows well and creates a succession of young plants rather than one crowded flush.
Another option is to sow separate small pots and group them together. This makes it easier to move a larger herb away from smaller plants and gives you more control over watering. If a particular herb needs different conditions, it can have its own container without competing with the rest.
Thinning and Spacing Seedlings
Once seedlings have developed their first true leaves, assess the spacing. Remove the weakest or most crowded seedlings with clean scissors, or transplant carefully if the roots can be moved without major disturbance.
Spacing depends on the varieties in the mix. Small leafy herbs can grow closer together than a large borage plant. Do not allow fast-growing seedlings to shade everything else. If you cannot identify a seedling yet, give it more room and wait for additional leaves before making a final decision.
Thinning can feel wasteful, but overcrowded herbs compete for light, water, air, and nutrients. A smaller number of healthy plants usually gives a better harvest than a dense, weak cluster.
Watering Mixed Herbs in Pots
Container herbs need consistent moisture, particularly while seeds are germinating and roots are still shallow. Water when the top layer begins to dry, then water thoroughly until a little drains from the base. Empty standing water from saucers after heavy watering or rain.
Do not use a fixed daily schedule without checking the pot. Terracotta pots, small containers, hot paving, and strong wind can dry quickly, while glazed pots in cool shade may stay wet for too long. Push a finger into the top layer and feel the weight of the container to understand its moisture level.
Water at the base in the morning where possible. Wet foliage late in the day can increase disease pressure, particularly when airflow is poor. During extreme heat, containers may need more frequent checks, but avoid turning the mix into mud.
Feeding Container Herbs
Start with a fertile but balanced potting mix. After the plants are established, a mild, balanced liquid feed can support continued growth, especially when frequent harvesting removes leaves. Follow the product label and avoid applying concentrated fertiliser to dry soil.
Too much feed can create soft, fast growth with less concentrated flavour. It can also encourage a large plant to outgrow its container. If growth is weak, check light, drainage, watering, root space, and pests before automatically adding more fertiliser.
Growing Borage in a Mixed Herb Pot
Borage is a useful addition to a wildlife-friendly edible garden. It produces blue, star-shaped flowers that attract bees and can be used as an edible garnish when grown specifically for culinary use. Borage can become much larger than many small herbs, so give it the roomiest position or move it to its own pot once it is clearly identified.
Harvest only flowers and leaves that are fresh, clean, and grown without unsuitable chemicals. Use edible flowers sparingly and introduce unfamiliar foods carefully. Never eat a plant simply because it came from a mixed packet unless you can identify it with confidence.
Allowing some borage flowers to remain can support pollinators, while removing a portion of faded flowers can keep a container tidy. If the plant becomes too large or shades its neighbours, prune lightly or transplant it into a larger container.
Harvesting Mixed Herbs
Harvest herbs little and often rather than removing a large percentage of the plant at once. Snip healthy stems above a pair of leaves to encourage branching. Use clean scissors or pinch gently with your fingers, depending on the herb.
Harvest in the morning after dew has dried and before the strongest heat of the day. Rinse only when necessary, because excess moisture can shorten storage life. Use fresh herbs immediately, or wrap them loosely and store them according to the needs of the particular variety.
Do not harvest heavily from very young seedlings. Let plants establish a strong root system first. Flowering can change the flavour of some herbs, so pinch flowers when you want leafy growth, or allow selected flowers to remain when you want to support pollinators.
Common Problems with Potted Herbs
Seedlings become leggy
Leggy seedlings usually need more light, better spacing, or improved airflow. Move the pot to a brighter position gradually and thin crowded growth. Avoid placing delicate seedlings directly into harsh midday sun after growing in shade.
Leaves turn yellow
Yellow leaves can indicate overwatering, poor drainage, depleted mix, natural ageing, or root stress. Check the moisture below the surface and inspect the drainage holes before adding fertiliser.
Seedlings collapse at soil level
This can be a sign of damping off, which is encouraged by saturated soil, stagnant air, dirty containers, and overcrowding. Use clean pots, fresh growing mix, gentle watering, and good airflow. Remove badly affected seedlings promptly.
Aphids and soft-bodied pests
Inspect the undersides of leaves and the tips of new growth. Small infestations can often be rinsed away with water, while badly affected shoots can be removed. Encourage ladybirds and other beneficial insects, and avoid broad-spectrum sprays on herbs you plan to eat.
Herbs wilt in the afternoon
Temporary midday wilting may be caused by heat, but repeated wilting usually means the container is drying too quickly or the roots are struggling. Check moisture early in the morning and move the pot away from reflected heat if necessary.
Plants are crowded
Thin or transplant seedlings before their roots become tangled. A crowded pot is difficult to water evenly and has poorer airflow, which can lead to weak growth and disease.
Growing Mixed Herbs Through the Seasons
South African gardens cover a wide range of climates, so treat seasonal advice as a guide rather than a rigid rule. In frost-prone inland areas, protect tender young plants in winter and use movable containers to extend the season. In hot regions, provide morning sun and afternoon shade during the harshest months.
In winter-rainfall regions, protect pots from prolonged saturation and check that drainage remains open. In humid areas, allow more space between plants and water the mix rather than the leaves. A container makes these adjustments easier because you can change the position as conditions change.
Keep notes about sowing dates, germination, harvest flavour, and which plants grew strongest. Your own records will become more useful than a generic calendar after a few seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow mixed herbs in one pot?
Yes, as long as the pot is wide enough, has good drainage, and the seedlings are thinned. Move or separate larger plants if they begin shading or crowding smaller herbs.
How big should a pot be for mixed herbs?
A pot at least 20–30 cm deep is a useful starting point. Choose a wider and deeper container if the mix includes larger plants such as borage.
How often should I water herbs in pots?
Check the pot whenever the surface begins to dry and water thoroughly when needed. Frequency depends on the container, potting mix, weather, wind, and plant size.
Do mixed herbs need full sun?
Most herbs prefer bright light and around four to six hours of sun. In very hot areas, morning sun with protection from intense afternoon heat can prevent stress.
Can I grow mixed herbs on a balcony?
Yes. Use secure containers with drainage, choose a bright sheltered position, and protect pots from strong wind. Check balcony weight and water runoff requirements before setting up many large pots.
Can I eat all the plants in a mixed herb packet?
Eat only plants you can identify confidently and that were grown without unsuitable chemicals. Mixed packets can contain different varieties with different uses, so read the product information and keep labels.
Does the Mixed Herb Seeds product include borage?
Yes. The Diamond Field Blooms Mixed Herb Seeds mix includes borage, which can produce edible flowers and attract pollinators when grown and harvested appropriately.
Why are my potted herbs not growing?
Check light, watering, drainage, pot size, temperature, pests, and overcrowding. Herbs in containers can decline quickly when the pot is too small or the mix stays constantly wet.
How do I harvest herbs without killing the plant?
Harvest lightly from established plants, snip above healthy leaves, and avoid removing more than the plant can replace. Regular light harvesting often encourages bushier growth.
Where can I buy mixed herb seeds in South Africa?
Start with Diamond Field Blooms Mixed Herb Seeds, then explore the full seed collection for flowers, herbs, and edible crops.
Start Your Container Herb Garden
A productive herb garden does not require a large property. Choose a well-drained pot, use a good growing mix, provide bright light, and water according to the weather rather than a rigid timetable. Thin seedlings when needed, harvest gently, and give larger plants the room they deserve.
Start with Mixed Herb Seeds, including borage for edible flowers and pollinator appeal, and build a small container garden that makes fresh flavour part of everyday cooking.