What Kind Of Soil Do I Need For Herbs?

Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:34 pm

Fresh herbs as an addition to dishes are in high season in our kitchens from spring to autumn. And so that they are always ready handle, many amateur gardeners create a bed of herbs, or cultivate them in a pot or in a balcony box on the balcony or terrace. For a rich harvest is not only the optimal location important, but also the right soil. Because it ensures that the plants thrive well.

Herb soil


In this country, herbs are usually purchased as pre-cultivated potted plants. Garden centers or supermarkets offer a variety of kitchen herbs. Relatively new is the offer of herbs from the so-called vertical cultivation. Here, the young plants are grown in a special liquid nutrient solution under artificial light. Once the plants have developed strong roots, they are harvested and offered without substrate. So they must be used as soon as possible, so that they can develop well in the home garden or on the balcony.

What Kind Of Soil Do I Need For Herbs?

In which herb soil the particular herb grows best is not a science, however, not every herb feels equally comfortable in every soil. Therefore, you should pay attention to the optimal substrate when planting. It should also be well-drained, because kitchen herbs usually do not tolerate waterlogging. We have put together a selection of soils and kitchen herbs for you here.

Herbs


Basil

the popular culinary herb prefers a humus-rich and permeable soil, which should be kept moderately moist
a mixture of soil and sand is ideal


Mugwort

the soil for mugwort should be sandy, dry and permeable


Watercress

watercress thrives optimally in moist and humus-rich soil

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Savory

Savory prefers a well-drained and loose garden bed that should be kept rather dry


Borage

Borage grows very well in slightly moist, well-drained and humus-rich soil

What Kind Of Soil Do I Need For Herbs?

Dill

this culinary herb needs a slightly moist, loose and humus-rich garden bed for optimal growth
mountain rue

in contrast to many other culinary herbs, the rue feels extremely well in a slightly calcareous soil, which is also loose and permeable.


Verbena

for the verbena the soil should be lean, dry and permeable


Tarragon

the soil for tarragon should be permeable, moderately moist and rich in humus

Garden cress

Garden cress thrives in conventional garden soil and requires abundant watering


Coriander

Coriander prefers a humus-rich garden soil


Caraway

for caraway a mixture of garden soil, compost and sand is optimal


Lovage

like rue, lovage also tolerates a slightly calcareous soil
in addition, the herb prefers loamy soil, which is moderately moist.


Marjoram

marjoram feels very well in a slightly sandy, humus-rich and permeable soil


Oregano

like marjoram, oregano thrives in a slightly sandy, humus-rich and well-drained soil.


Parsley

the classic among the culinary herbs goes well in a moist, humus-rich and well-drained garden bed

Rosemary, sage and thyme

these Mediterranean culinary herbs prefer a permeable, dry and sandy soil
they are best planted in a soil-sand mixture


Chives

Chives prefer loamy soil and need plenty of water


Lemon balm

a permeable, humus-rich substrate is optimal for this popular culinary herb.


Mix your own herb soil


If you want to offer your kitchen herbs the optimal soil, you can use garden soil and compost in addition to a special herbal soil. To ensure that the soil meets the needs of each herb, you should mix it yourself, so the herbal soil can be optimally matched.

For Mediterranean kitchen herbs mix:

  • Garden soil: 55 percent
  • Compost: 15 percent
  • Quartz or lava sand: 30 percent
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What Kind Of Soil Do I Need For Herbs?

Tip: For kitchen herbs cultivated in pots or tubs, potting soil is recommended instead of garden soil.

If soil with a higher compost content is used for the kitchen herbs, such as tomato or vegetable soil, it should be slightly stretched. Coco soil, which is less pre-fertilized, is suitable as a stretcher. It also loosens the soil.

Loamy soils


Loamy soils do not like many herbs, because they are not permeable enough. Nevertheless, you do not have to do without a bed of herbs in the garden. However, in order for kitchen herbs to thrive in a clay or loam soil, you should make it more permeable. To do this, mix coarse sand or fine gravel under the soil.

Herbs with high water requirements


Kitchen herbs such as parsley or watercress have a high water requirement. If they are cultivated in pots or tubs, expanded clay or zeolite should be added to the substrate. These materials store water and nutrients and release them to the culinary herbs as needed.

Herbs with high demands


As with other plants, there are species of culinary herbs that prefer a rich substrate. Among them are, for example, mint, tarragon or lovage. In order for these herbs to thrive, compost should be added to the herb soil. The rule of thumb is to fill the planting hole or planter with about one-third compost.

What Kind Of Soil Do I Need For Herbs?

Mixed culture instead of monoculture


If herbs come into the garden bed or balcony box, you should plant different kitchen herbs together. However, care must be taken to ensure the correct composition, as not all varieties are compatible with each other. Basically, kitchen herbs that have similar nutrient requirements should not be placed next to each other.

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“Wrong” neighborhoods are, for example:

  • Basil and lemon balm
  • Thyme and marjoram
  • Fennel and coriander
  • Dill and tarragon
  • Dill and garden cress
What Kind Of Soil Do I Need For Herbs?

“Proper” neighborhoods are, for example:

  • Sage and oregano or savory.
  • Parsley and dill
  • Parsley and chives
  • Chives and chamomile, dill or chervil
  • Thyme and coriander, tarragon or savory
  • Dill and chamomile or marjoram
  • Rosemary and sage or basil
  • Lemon balm tolerates almost all herbs except basil
  • Sage and oregano or savory
  • Tarragon and rosemary, sage or chives
  • lovage and parsley
  • Caraway and dill, parsley, marjoram or rosemary
  • Savory and lavender
  • Coriander and thyme, savory or parsley
  • Oregano and sage or savory
  • Chervil and dill, chives, chamomile or savory


If kitchen herbs are grown in pots, biennial and perennial herbs, such as lovage or lavender should be planted as specimen plants.

Author

  • James Jones

    Meet James Jones, a passionate gardening writer whose words bloom with the wisdom of an experienced horticulturist. With a deep-rooted love for all things green, James has dedicated his life to sharing the art and science of gardening with the world. James's words have found their way into countless publications, and his gardening insights have inspired a new generation of green thumbs. His commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship shines through in every article he crafts.

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