How to Plant and Grow Herbs in a Strawberry Pot

One of the best things about growing herbs is that you can plant a lot of them in a small space. An unusual yet practical way to grow herbs is in a strawberry pot. Strawberry pots are designed with pockets so that strawberries can be planted through the top and the runners the strawberry plants grow can fill the pockets. Believe it or not, herbs like to grow in strawberry pots as well—they love the excellent drainage provided to them in these planters. Because of the multiple pockets, standing water is not an issue.

Choosing a Strawberry Pot

Strawberry pots can be found at almost any garden center or hardware store. Keep in mind that the more soil a container has, the better the container can hold moisture. Growing herbs in a larger pot will result in less work on your part, plus the bigger the pot, the more herbs you can grow. And make sure your planter has a drainage hole.

How to Plant Herbs in a Strawberry Pot

First, fill the strawberry pot with soil—an organic potting mix is recommended because you'll probably be eating these herbs. One thing to remember when caring for herb plants is to NOT overfertilize them. Fertilizers speed up the growth of plants, which can lead to a loss of essential oils that give herbs all their flavor.

When filling your strawberry pot, be sure to pack down the soil so it doesn't spill out of the pockets. As with planting most pots, you'll want to leave an inch or two at the top so you have plenty of room to water.

When planting the herbs in the pot, place taller herb varieties in the top of the pot while tucking smaller herb varieties in the pockets. Feel free to divide herbs so they fit more snugly in the planter's pockets: Most plants are pretty tough and can actually be pulled into multiple sections. You can also make the root balls smaller by carefully stripping them of excess soil.

As you finish planting the last pockets of your planter, see where you may need to add some soil back in. As you water, you may notice soil leaking out of the pockets so it's a good idea to replenish the soil every few weeks.

Place your herb planter in full sun. Water it when the soil starts to feel dry.

Which Herbs to Grow in a Strawberry Pot

You can grow almost any herb you want in a strawberry planter. Stay away from overly aggressive herbs, though. This includes varieties of mint, lemon balm, and catnip. Good choices to grow in this type of pot are thyme, basil, sage, and oregano. Mix and match colors of leaves to add interest.

Where to Grow Herbs in a Strawberry Pot

Place your finished planter on a deck or patio right outside your kitchen door for easy access to the fresh herbs when cooking. Since you'll likely be constantly harvesting your herbs to use in the kitchen, you shouldn't have to worry about these plants overgrowing their space.

Don't limit your strawberry pot to just strawberries and herbs, either. You can also grow your favorite flowers in the planter's pockets. If you're planting multiple varieties of flowers, just be sure that they have similar care needs.