Fresh Herbs, No Backyard Required
Imagine stepping outside and snipping fresh basil or mint—right from your own balcony.
You don’t need a garden, or even much space. With a few smart tools and a sunny spot, you can grow a beautiful, productive vertical herb garden on your balcony or patio.
In this post, I’ll walk you through:
- The best herbs to grow
- Space-saving vertical setups
- Tips for keeping your herbs healthy and happy
This is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to grow your own food—no digging, no yard, no stress.
🪴 Why Go Vertical with Herbs?
Here’s why vertical herb gardening is perfect for balconies and small spaces:
- ✅ Takes up very little floor space
- ✅ Easy to reach and maintain
- ✅ Adds greenery and fragrance to your outdoor area
- ✅ Herbs grow well in containers
- ✅ Makes everyday cooking more delicious!
🌱 Best Herbs for a Balcony Garden
Some herbs do especially well in containers and shallow pockets. Here are my top picks:
- Basil – Needs warmth and sun, pinch regularly to keep it bushy
- Mint – Very easy to grow (but can take over, so containers help!)
- Parsley – Tolerates partial shade and keeps growing for months
- Chives – Hardy, productive, and regrows after cutting
- Thyme – Loves heat and poor soil, perfect for top tiers
- Oregano – Sprawling and low-maintenance, great in wall planters
- Cilantro – Fast-growing, but bolts in heat—try in spring or autumn
- Lemon balm – Lovely scent and flavour, likes moderate sun
🏗️ Best Vertical Setups for Balcony Herbs
1. Hanging Wall Planters
Fabric or plastic pocket planters hang on walls or railings. Great for shallow-rooted herbs like parsley, thyme, or chives.
- ✅ Lightweight
- ✅ Affordable
- ✅ Easy to water
2. Stackable Tiered Planters (Like GreenStalk)
These are excellent for balconies because they:
- Stand upright in a small space
- Allow herbs to trail down naturally
- Often include a simple watering system
- ✅ Great for basil, mint, oregano
- ✅ Minimal floor space required
3. DIY Vertical Shelves or Crates
Repurpose wooden crates or old bookshelves as plant stands. Pop in small pots or planters and stack them vertically.
- ✅ Budget-friendly
- ✅ Customisable
- ✅ Stylish and rustic
💧 Watering and Care Tips
- Water regularly—especially in warm or windy locations
- Don’t overwater! Herbs prefer soil that drains well
- Use a liquid feed once every 2–3 weeks for healthy growth
- Pinch off flowers to keep herbs leafy and flavourful
- Rotate your setup if sunlight is uneven
💡 Tip: Place thirstier herbs (like basil) near the bottom where water collects.
🧑🌾 My Balcony Herb Garden Setup
When I started growing herbs, I only had a small concrete balcony and a few plastic pots. Over time, I added a vertical fabric wall planter and a stackable system.
Now I grow:
- Basil, mint, and oregano in the GreenStalk
- Thyme and parsley in the wall planter
- Chives and lemon balm in hanging pots
It looks beautiful—and I use something from it almost every day.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Starting a vertical herb garden on your balcony is one of the easiest ways to begin growing your own food. It’s low-effort, low-cost, and high-reward.
Whether you’re cooking pasta, making tea, or just want your outdoor space to smell amazing… vertical herbs are a brilliant place to start.
🌿 Want a vertical system that works great for herbs? Check out my Garden Tower 2 review here