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If you’re like me and live in an apartment, you’re probably short on outdoor space for any gardening dreams.
But you can even turn a modest balcony into a mini herb garden with just a few basics, a bit of sunshine, and a little love.
I love sustainable living, and creating a balcony herb garden was on my list from the beginning of my journey.
I also have an indoor microgreens setup, so this balcony herb garden brought life to my space and also flavor to my meals.
It feels amazing to walk outside with a mug of tea and snip a few fresh mint leaves right from your own little garden.
If you’re planning to start a balcony herb garden, this guide is going to help you. Here, I have shared my personal experience and a few lessons learned along the way.
Why Herbs Are Perfect for Apartment Living?
It is not that hard to grow herbs. They just need some sun, water, and a container. They are low-maintenance plants and are best suited for small spaces.
If you have a small herb garden on your balcony, you’ll get fresh flavor on demand for your cooking, even if you live in an apartment. They also help you cut down on food and plastic waste.
What I Used in my Balcony Herb Garden
Here’s exactly what I used to build my herb garden,
🪴 Raised Garden Bed
I chose a raised planter bed (around 32 inches tall), which makes everything super accessible. If you use a raised bed, you don’t need to crouch, and it also reduces mess.
Since I have a small balcony, it keeps everything tidy. It also helps to grow multiple herbs in one space, so there’s no need to juggle tiny pots.
In small spaces, clutter takes over quickly, and the raised beds keep things neat visually.
🌿 Organic Potting Soil
I used the Espoma organic potting mix, ordered from Amazon. This organic soil does not contain any synthetic or chemicals.
It contains organic stuff like sphagnum peat moss, humus & perlite enriched with earthworm castings, etc.
These soils are usually lighter and drain well. . Avoid using garden soil from your yard—it’s too dense and can suffocate herbs in containers.
🌿 Seedlings, Not Seeds
If you are a beginner, then it is better to start with seedlings. Growing from seed takes more time and patience.
I picked up healthy seedlings from a local nursery. Don’t hesitate to ask someone there for help choosing strong plants.
Avoid seedlings with brown spots, wilting, or mold. I picked up my first basil plant with my friend Clara. So she showed me how to inspect the stems and leaves for mold spots.
💧 Organic Liquid Fertilizer
Once a month, I give my herbs a boost using organic liquid fertilizer. It gives the herbs the required nutrients, vitamins, and organic plant food from root to shoot.
It’s eco-friendly, gentle, and helps them stay lush. But don’t overdo it—herbs actually thrive with less. Too much fertilizer can lead to lush growth, which weakens the flavor.
Best Herbs to Grow in Your Balcony Garden
I have tried these herbs and they have done especially well for me:
- Basil – Basil loves the sun. Great for summer pesto and pasta.
- Oregano – Hardy, flavorful, and perks right up with deep watering.
- Mint – Super easy, but keep it in its own section
- Chives – Cute little grassy growth, and they regrow fast.
- Parsley – A slower grower but reliable.
- Thyme – Drought-tolerant and a flavor powerhouse.
I also experimented with lemon balm and lavender last year. They require extra care, but give a good fragrance.
Growing herbs together in a raised planter saves water and time. Small pots dry out faster and need constant attention.
Also Read: 15 easy-to-grow herbs for an indoor garden
Daily & Weekly Care: What I Actually Do
Once your garden is set up, here’s how to keep it healthy:
✅ Check Soil Moisture Every Other Day
To check moisture, stick your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. Raised beds retain water longer than small pots, so it’s less fussy.
💧 Water Deeply
If your plants look droopy, that means you are under-watering them. Water deeply, wait for it to drain, and repeat until water runs out of the bottom. They will bounce back in just a day.
🪴 Top Up the Soil
After a few waterings, the soil in the planter compresses. Refill it up to about ½ inch below the brim. This keeps root systems happy and healthy. It also improves airflow and prevents water from pooling on top.
🦮️ Check for Pests and Bad Leaves
Every week or so, I inspect my plants. If I see yellowing leaves, pest bites, or any mold, I pinch them off and discard them.
Healthy leaves = happy herbs. I had to deal with aphids once—some neem oil spray did the trick, and I’ve kept a close eye since.
Some Balcony Herb Garden Tips
☑️ Water early in the morning. It gives plants a chance to absorb moisture before the heat hits.
☑️ Harvest often, because the more you cut, the more your herbs grow.
☑️ Don’t overcrowd the planter. The herbs need air circulation too.
☑️ Rotate the planter if one side gets more sun than the other.
☑️ Use mulch (like coconut husk or straw) to help retain moisture.
I also added a few solar lights around my raised bed—it’s not necessary, but it looks most charming in the evening.
Also Read: How to grow balcony vegetable garden
Common Mistakes
☑️ Don’t use pots that are too small, because the roots need space.
☑️ Do not forget drainage. Always make sure there is a hole at the bottom.
☑️ Fertilize them; even organic plants need a monthly feeding.
☑️ Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings—herbs don’t like soggy roots.
For me, having a balcony herb garden has become part of my daily rhythm—step outside, check the leaves, maybe clip some basil for lunch. Growing the herbs doesn’t take a lot of time, and it also gives so much back.
If you’re someone like me who wants to live more sustainably, eat fresher, and just add a little more green to your day, then you should start your herb garden.
You can even start with just three plants in a pot; that’s a great beginning. Then you can add more and shift them to a raised bed like mine
Also Read: How to store vegetables to keep them fresh
