How to Grow a Kitchen Herb Garden (Indoors or Outdoors)

Fresh herbs change everything — from salads and soups to teas and Sunday roasts. The best part?
Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow, even in small spaces.

In this guide we’ll show you how to plant and care for a simple kitchen herb garden, using
Herb Seeds
that are well suited to South African conditions.

Choose the Right Spot

Most herbs love:

• 5–6+ hours of sun daily
• Well-draining soil or potting mix
• Good airflow and no “swampy” spots

Windowsills, patios, kitchen steps and balconies all work beautifully. Just make sure you can access your herbs easily — if it’s close to the kitchen, you’re more likely to use them.

👉 Start with seeds from our
Herb Seeds category.

Best Herbs for Beginners

Basil

Loves warmth and consistent moisture. Pinch out the growing tips regularly to keep plants bushy and delay flowering.

Coriander

Prefers cooler weather and can bolt quickly in heat. Sow regularly in short rows or pots for a constant supply of fresh leaves.

Parsley

Slow to germinate but long-lived. Keep soil evenly moist while it’s sprouting — it’s worth the wait.

Mint

Very vigorous and best grown in a pot so it doesn’t take over garden beds. Great for teas, desserts and refreshing drinks.

Rosemary & Thyme

Sun-loving, Mediterranean herbs that enjoy slightly drier conditions. Ideal in raised beds, big pots or rock gardens.

Pots vs Garden Beds

Growing herbs in pots

• Perfect for balconies, patios and small courtyards.
• Use a good quality potting mix with drainage holes.
• Group herbs with similar water needs in the same container.

Growing herbs in garden beds

• Plant near the kitchen door for “cut and cook” convenience.
• Mix herbs into vegetable beds for companion planting and pest reduction.
• Improve the soil first with compost and a light, balanced fertiliser.

For containers and raised beds, browse our
Garden Containers range.

Watering & Feeding Herbs

• Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil feels dry.
• Avoid leaving herbs standing in saucers of water.
• Feed lightly every 2–3 weeks in spring and summer.
• Ease off feeding in winter when growth naturally slows.

Harvesting Herbs the Right Way

• Trim above a leaf node to encourage branching.
• Avoid cutting more than 30% of the plant at once.
• For woody herbs (like rosemary), harvest tips rather than old stems.
• Regular picking keeps herbs productive and delays flowering.

Tip: In hot, dry weather, harvest in the cool of the morning when leaves are plump and fragrant.

Get Started with Herb Seeds

Whether you have a big garden or just a sunny windowsill, a kitchen herb garden is one of the easiest ways to add freshness and flavour to your cooking.

Explore our full range of
Herb Seeds
and pair them with sturdy pots and planters from our
Garden Containers
and care products from
Garden Care, Pest & Weed Control.