14 Flavorful Herbs That Will Thrive When Grown In Hanging Baskets

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Whether you're looking to save space and add homegrown flavor to your meals or brighten up your kitchen with billowing baskets of lush herbs, a beautiful DIY hanging herb garden could be the perfect solution. This style of gardening is versatile, and can be utilized both indoors and outdoors. Hanging baskets not only brighten up your front porch, but the elevation provides an added layer of protection from common pest infestations, yielding happier, healthier herbs. Planting herbs in a basket instead of directly into the ground can also improve air circulation, which is beneficial to the plants. The key to a thriving hanging herb garden is ample amounts of sunlight and damp, but not wet, soil. 

In most cases, it's also best to start with established plants rather than seeds. You'll also want to fertilize your plants regularly or use a time-released fertilizer when you plant them to keep them growing. Many of your favorite herbs can adapt to this container-style gardening technique, keeping your pantry stocked with your favorite flavors all year long. As the seasons change, the baskets can easily be transported indoors in the winter to protect from frost, or moved outdoors in warmer months to soak up the sun. These low-maintenance plants can transform dull balconies and kitchen windows into savory and space-saving gardens. Here are 14 of the best herbs to consider when planning your hanging herb garden.

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) produce edible foliage and fragrant flowers that are perfect for hanging baskets. This relative to the onion thrives in direct sunlight, and will continue to grow back as you regularly trim clippings for your kitchen. Start with a few established plants rather than seeds for best results. They can be grown indoors or outdoors, but will need extra care and daily watering during the hotter months when grown outside. The perennial plant is ideal for hanging gardens since it's easy to grow and will keep coming back year after year. 

Another popular herb you can grow in your hanging baskets is mint (Mentha species). This common herb is available in a vast array of varieties, including spearmint (Mentha spicata), Egyptian mint (Mentha niliaca), and, of course, peppermint (Mentha × piperita). You can transfer younger mint plants directly into the hanging basket once they're established. Mint is easy to grow indoors and will provide a constant supply of herbs. It requires a good amount of sunlight and watering, but is a fast growers that thrives with routine care. Trimming fresh sprigs of mint for your kitchen will encourage the plant to grow heartier and flourish. 

Dill (Anethum graveolens) can be easily grown right in your own kitchen. This Mediterranean herb will require a larger basket with ample amounts of soil to grow, but will continue to thrive harvest after harvest. Like most container garden herbs, dill requires full sunlight and frequent waterings in well-drained soil, though you'll want to avoid overwatering. It can be started from seed or transplanted, then grown outdoors on the balcony or patio during warmer months. Keep it indoors to continue producing once temperatures drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. A hanging basket allows dill to be transported with ease as the seasons change. When grown outdoors, dill also attracts beneficial insects, which can help deter pests looking to make themselves at home in other plants in your garden. 

Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) is a relative to parsley, and a versatile addition to your hanging herb garden. You can gently loosen the roots of a young cilantro plant and transplant it into a hanging basket of your choice. Provide ample amounts of sunlight and water, and watch the plant grow back healthy as you routinely clip trimmings. Cilantro plants can grow comfortably in small spaces, making them a great candidate for your compact hanging basket. Here's the best method for growing cilantro indoors.

Like its relative cilantro, parsley (Petroselinum crispum) has similar growing habits that are well suited for your herb garden. Parsley loves sunlight, but can also tolerate partial shade. This kitchen herb comes in many varieties, including the common curly-leaved parsley (Petroselinum crispum var. crispum) and Italian flat leaf parsley (Petroselinum crispum var. neapolitanum). Growing parsley alongside other plants can also aid in pest control. The herb contains a chemical that can repel certain beetles, and its moderate root system is a good match for small containers. Here are a few more tips on how to grow and care for your own parsley plant.

Garden sorrel (Rumex acetosa) makes for a unique addition to your typical herb rotation. Sorrel can tolerate both full sun and partial shade, and can be grown indoors year-round, or outdoors in USDA zones 3 through 7 during spring. Other species, like French sorrel (Rumex scutatus), are also low maintenance and can even thrive in poor soil. Sorrel is not overly fussy when it comes to growing conditions, meaning even amateur gardeners can be successful in growing the zippy herb in hanging baskets. 

You can't go wrong with the classics. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a staple in many households and requires very little fuss. This durable herb thrives in the direct sunlight of a windowsill and is naturally resistant to the elements and pests when grown outdoors. Rosemary's needles are incredibly fragrant from the herb's natural oils, and can brighten up the ambiance of even the plainest kitchens. Once you know the basics of how to care for your rosemary, it requires very little hands-on attention and naturally grows heartily. This makes it a great plant to start with if you're new to growing your own herbs.

Your human family members are not the only ones that can reap the benefits from your at-home herb garden. Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a mint relative that feline friends go crazy for. Catnip grows abundant in container-style gardens with good sunlight and well-drained soil. Cats love the herb's relaxing and euphoric effects. Hanging baskets are the perfect receptacle for catnip plants, since they keep the herb out of reach of eager pets before you're ready to harvest. Catnip can be dried and stuffed in cat toys to enhance playtime, or given as a treat fresh out of the basket. It can also be used as a seasoning or tea for humans. In fact, there are plenty of reasons why you should grow catnip even if you don't have a cat.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a bold perennial herb with deep green, feathery fronds. Since fennel's bulb-like taproot can grow pretty large, you will need a pot at least 12 inches deep to accommodate the herb's roots. The delicate fronds can be susceptible to wind damage, so a sunny spot indoors is where this Mediterranean herb thrives. Hanging fennel from a basket in your window instead of exposed outdoors can help protect it from the elements and improve your plant's overall health. 

Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is a sacred herb native to India that is revered for its adaptogenic properties that can help reduce stress. Sometimes referred to as tulsi, this herb has a bolder, more peppery flavor compared to common sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). Holy basil grows well in hanging baskets, since the elevation adds an extra layer of protection from pests. Elevated planters also make a great home for holy basil because the plant needs ample amounts of airflow. Here are a few more tips on how to grow and take care of basil plants.

Sage (Salvia officinalis) is another traditional herb well suited for a hanging garden. This sweet, earthy plant is easy to care for and can produce bountiful sprigs year after year. Sage is drought tolerant and easy to keep, so even if you occasionally forget to water it, it will continue to thrive. In fact, overwatering is one of the mistakes everyone makes growing sage. To avoid this, it's best to let the soil dry out between waterings. Keep sage in a medium-sized basket in direct sunlight and watch the plant's fuzzy leaves flourish. 

Spice up your herb garden by growing your own arugula (Eruca vesicaria sativa). This sharp-tasting relative of mustard greens does well in confined spaces with regular harvesting. This leafy green requires an ample amount of soil drainage, which can be easily monitored and controlled when planted in a hanging basket. Even smaller baskets can make for a cozy home for arugula plants that thrive in nutritious soil with at least six hours of direct sunlight. Here is the best method for harvesting arugula.

Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is a fragrant and versatile option worth considering. Bay laurel is unfussy and can grow healthy even when the roots are cramped. Bay laurel leaves actually grow on trees, but smaller trees are easy enough to manage that they can be grown indoors. Regular pruning can keep the plant small enough to be contained to a hanging basket. Bay laurel loves humidity, so if you do choose to grow it indoors, regularly water and mist the plant for additional moisture. Just make sure the plant isn't standing in too much water.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) needs no introduction. This popular herb can be found on spice racks all over the world. Oregano's strings of fragrant leaves prefer to drape over its container, making a hanging basket the perfect home for this perennial herb. Oregano plants are suitable for indoor and outdoor growth, and varieties like creeping oregano and golden oregano grow well in shallow soil if you prefer a smaller basket. Oregano loves the sun and can easily be transported in a hanging basket to soak up some extra rays. When it's time, here is the best way to harvest oregano. If you're eager to get started, LáLá Green sells a 10-pack of hanging baskets on Amazon.