Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow, and some of the most useful. A few pockets of basil, thyme, and parsley can cover most weeknight cooking, and herbs stay productive for months with regular harvesting.
They are also a natural fit for a vertical garden. A 7 Tier GreenStalk Vertical Planter has 42 planting pockets in about two square feet, so there is no need to narrow the list down to a few favorites.
Here are 12 herbs that grow well in a GreenStalk, grouped by how they grow, with what each one needs to thrive.
Cut-and-Come-Again Annuals
These herbs grow fast, live for one season, and produce more the more they are harvested.
Basil
Basil loves summer heat and responds well to pruning, which is another word for harvesting. One store-bought pot often holds three or more seedlings that can be divided into separate pockets. Try a purple variety for a pop of color. For the full rundown, see How to Grow Basil in Your GreenStalk.
Start from: Starter plant or seed
Sun: Full sun
Harvest tip: Pinch stems just above a pair of leaves, and remove flower buds as they appear
Parsley
Parsley is slow to sprout but steady once established, often producing from spring through the first hard frosts. Curly and flat-leaf varieties both grow well in a pocket.
Start from: Starter plant, or seed with some patience
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Harvest tip: Snip the outer stems at the base instead of trimming the tops
Cilantro
Cilantro is a cool-season herb that grows quickly in spring and fall. It goes to seed once the weather turns hot, so plant a few pockets every couple of weeks for a steady supply. To dive deeper, see How to Grow Cilantro in Your GreenStalk.
Start from: Seed, sown directly in the pocket. Or, if planting by starter, handle roots gently.
Sun: Full sun in cool weather, afternoon shade in heat
Harvest tip: Cut the outer leaves first and leave the center to keep growing
Dill
Dill adds height and feathery texture to a planter. Compact varieties such as Fernleaf are a good match for pockets.
Start from: Seed, sown directly in the pocket
Sun: Full sun
Harvest tip: Snip fronds as needed, and let a few plants flower for dill seed
Cilantro, dill, and parsley flower quickly in warm weather. Learn how to keep them leafy longer in Why Your Herbs Bolt Too Soon—And How to Prevent It.
Woody Perennials
These Mediterranean herbs come back year after year in many zones. Check the plant tag for hardiness in your area.
Rosemary
Rosemary is fragrant, sturdy, and evergreen in mild-winter areas. Over time it can outgrow a pocket. There are two good options: harvest regularly to keep it compact, or transplant it into the ground, where it makes a handsome landscape shrub.
Start from: Starter plant
Sun: Full sun
Harvest tip: Cut soft, green stem tips and avoid cutting into bare wood
Thyme
Thyme stays low and spills over the pocket edge, and its small leaves add fine texture to a planter. Lemon thyme, with yellow and green leaves, is a pretty variety to try.
Start from: Starter plant
Sun: Full sun
Harvest tip: Snip sprigs often to keep the plant dense and consider dividing when it becomes too large for the pocket
Sage
Sage has soft, silvery leaves that look as good as they taste. It is a staple for fall cooking, from roasted vegetables to holiday stuffing.
Start from: Starter plant
Sun: Full sun
Harvest tip: Pick individual leaves or cut stem tips, leaving plenty of growth behind
Oregano
Oregano spreads into a low, leafy mound and trails nicely from a pocket. One plant supplies plenty for fresh use and drying.
Start from: Starter plant or seed
Sun: Full sun
Harvest tip: Cut stems back by a third before the plant flowers and divide when it gets too large
Lavender
Lavender is a multi-purpose herb for cooking, sachets, and cut arrangements. Its purple flowers are also a favorite of bees.
Start from: Starter plant
Sun: Full sun
Harvest tip: Cut flower stems just as the buds begin to open
Leafy Perennials
These two regrow from the base after each cutting and return in spring in many zones.
Chives
Chives grow in tidy, grassy clumps that fit a pocket well. The purple blossoms are edible and make a nice garnish.
Start from: Starter plant or seed
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Harvest tip: Cut leaves an inch or two above the soil, and they will grow back
Sorrel
Sorrel is the surprise on this list. It rarely shows up at the grocery store, and it has bright green leaves with a tart, lemony flavor that works in salads, soups, and sauces.
Start from: Seed
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Harvest tip: Pick young outer leaves, which are the most tender
The Vigorous Spreader
Mint
Mint is the easiest herb on this list to grow, and the most enthusiastic. It spreads quickly and will fill any space it can reach, which means big harvests for tea, desserts, and summer drinks. Give mint a full tier to itself, and make it the bottom tier, where its trailing stems have no pockets below to root into.
Start from: Starter plant or cutting
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Harvest tip: Cut stems back often, since frequent harvesting keeps mint bushy
How to Plan an Herb Tower
Plant one herb per pocket. Each plant gets room to branch and fill out.
Double up on favorites. Plant three or four pockets of the herbs used most in the kitchen, such as basil or parsley.
Group herbs by season. Keep cilantro, dill, and parsley on the same tier so those pockets are easy to replant when the weather changes.
Give mint the bottom tier. It will fill the space.
Choose a sunny spot. Most herbs need six to eight hours of direct sun. Rotate the planter every day or two so each side gets even light.
Mix herbs in with your favorite crops. Herbs don’t need their own GreenStalk. Most can fit in pockets alternating with other seasonal crops, maximizing your yield without an overabundance of a single flavor.
The One-Third Rule for Harvesting
Never harvest more than one-third of a plant at one time. This single habit keeps herbs growing strong all season. Frequent, light harvests encourage new growth, so the best way to care for an herb planter is to cook from it often.
If you’re new to growing herbs, don’t be surprised by the abundance! Learn how to maximize your harvest and prolong use in Preserving Herbs: A Step-by-Step Guide to Drying, Freezing & Flavoring.
Growing Herbs Indoors
Herbs are also among the best plants to grow indoors, with fresh leaves a few steps from the stove all year. Basil, parsley, chives, mint, thyme, and oregano are reliable choices for a bright room.
The GreenStalk Ultimate Mover is a wheeled base designed with indoor growing in mind. It rolls easily to follow the light, and its drip drawer has a water level indicator to make watering simple.
Mix, Match, and Start Growing
Start with the herbs that get used most, add one new variety to try, and harvest often. As you get more practice incorporating herbs into your cooking, baking, and crafts, we hope you find a few staples to keep in your GreenStalk year after year.
Happy gardening!
