Plantes mellifères & pollinisateurs - Plant and Stories
Nectar-producing plants & pollinators
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Fragrant plants
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Plants for Beds & Perennials
Plantes méditerranéennes - Plant and Stories
Mediterranean plants

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Daily care and tips for Aromatic herbs

How do you care for your aromatic herbs?

Water moderately, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid excess moisture, and prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact, dense shape. Well-drained soil does most of the work.

When and how should you harvest herbs?

Harvest the leaves as needed, preferably in the morning, by pinching off the tips: this encourages branching and extends production. Pick them before flowering for maximum fragrance.

Can you grow herbs in pots?

Yes, it’s even ideal on a balcony or a windowsill near the kitchen. Choose a pot at least 20 cm wide with drainage holes and a light potting mix, and group together species that prefer the same watering schedule.

Everything you need to know about Aromatic herbs

Which aromatic herbs should you plant in the garden or on a balcony?

The easiest to grow are Mediterranean perennials such as thyme, lavender, rosemary, sage, and chives, which thrive in the sun and need little water. Basil and mint are also welcome additions to an herb garden, whether planted in the ground or in pots.

Are aromatic herbs perennials?

Most of them are: thyme, lavender, rosemary, sage and chives come back every year and grow fuller over time. Basil is the exception; it’s a frost-tender annual that needs to be replanted every spring.

What exposure is best for aromatic plants?

Full sun for the vast majority of them. It is what concentrates the essential oils and therefore the fragrance and flavor. Well-drained soil and a warm, sunny location are ideal for them.

Aromatic herbs

Aromatic herbs (thyme, lavender, rosemary, sage, chives, basil or mint) grow in full sun, in light, well-drained soil, in the garden or in pots on a balcony. Most are hardy perennials that can be harvested throughout the season.

The essentials at a glance:

  • ☀️ Exposure: full sun
  • 🌱 Soil: light, dry and well-drained
  • 💧 Watering: moderate; drought-tolerant once established
  • 📅 Planting: in spring or autumn
  • 🧺 Harvest: leaves throughout the season
  • 🐝 Benefit: nectar-rich and fragrant, in the ground or in pots

Aromatic herbs: bringing the kitchen and garden together

Few plants are as generous as aromatic herbs: they add fragrance to your dishes, scent the garden and feed pollinators. Our selection brings together the must-haves for an herb garden, from creeping thyme and its many varieties (Red Carpet, Minor, Albiflorus) to lavender (Hidcote, Munstead), the queen of fragrant borders and pollinator-friendly flower beds, plus our ready-to-plant mix for creating an herb garden in one easy step. Mostly perennials, these herbs return every year and grow fuller over time.

Growing and harvesting your aromatic herbs

The rule is simple and applies to most Mediterranean herbs: plenty of sun, well-drained soil and little water. Plant them in spring or autumn, in the ground, in a planter or in a pot at least 20 cm wide, using a light potting mix enriched with sand or gravel. Water moderately, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings, as excess moisture is more harmful to them than drought. Harvest the leaves regularly to encourage branching, and prune lightly after flowering to keep the plants compact. Perennials such as thyme, lavender and rosemary can stay outdoors over winter in most regions; basil, on the other hand, is an annual and is sensitive to cold.

Buy your aromatic herb plants from Plant and Stories

At Plant and Stories, you'll find aromatic herb plants from French growers, delivered in pots ready for planting and selected for their vigor and fragrance. Whether you're planning an herb garden in your vegetable patch, a balcony planter within easy reach of the kitchen or a pollinator-friendly lavender border, you'll find everything you need to create a generous, long-lasting herb garden, season after season.

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