The easiest to care for aromatic plants

Difficulties of aromatic plants

To be honest, I have to tell you that aromatic plants are NOT very easy to care for (contrary to popular belief). While it is true that they are very rustic (in their natural state, most survive in extreme conditions of heat, dryness, poor soils …), it is also true that they do not tolerate captivity too well …

By definition, they are from wild outdoor plants, (not to say wild or libertarian) that do not like too much to be enclosed in pots or inside houses; no matter how good you take care of them. For this reason, they are not usually on the lists of the most resistant indoor plants.

However, if you want to have them on terraces and balconies, or inside the house, you can achieve this by following the care that I tell you below for each of the aromatic plants that are easier to care for according to their particular characteristics.

Rosemary

Rosemary is the easiest aromatic plant of all to care for and the one that is least spiky and ugly. You can plant it directly in the ground or in a pot both on the balcony or terrace and indoors, but in a very sunny place.

Care It requires little care and adapts well to all environments, but prefers them warm and dry. Don't let it puddle. Water it only when the soil is dry.

Parsley

Parsley is not as resistant as rosemary, but it is also quite durable indoors. You can already grown it or seeds and plant them yourself.

Care It tolerates semi-shade, but better if you place it in a sunny place, keep the soil moist but without puddling and spray water on the leaves so they do not dry out. If it becomes very ugly, you can cut it almost to the bottom (leave it two or three fingers high) so that it sprouts again with force.

Coriander

Coriander is very similar to parsley and requires similar conditions and care. Sometimes its difference is only appreciated because the coriander leaf has more jagged edges.

Care Use a light substrate (such as the one they sell for cacti), put it in a very sunny place, water it frequently but not more than necessary and moisten its leaves.

Lavender

Another of the aromatic plants that is quite resistant is lavender, highly appreciated for its aroma and flowery spikes. It is a very resistant plant, which adapts to any terrain and tolerates more or less well living in a pot.

Care Put it in a very sunny place, in a large, well-drained pot (with holes and gravel at the base), and do not overwater it (once a week or every 10 days).

Mint

Prized in cooking and baking for its delicious aroma, mint is one of the aromatic plants that can be grown at home, but it tends to spike and turn ugly like parsley and coriander.

Care Very sunny exposure, peat-type substrate, and regular and abundant watering, but without puddling (do not let water accumulate in the dish below or the pot cover).

Basil

Widely used to make sauces, stews, salads or infusions, basil is one of the most appreciated aromatic plants. Although it tolerates semi-shade indoors, it behaves like an annual plant (like many seasonal flowers). That is, it does not last for more than one season, and after this one must be replaced by a new one.

Care Like most aromatics, it prefers sunny exposure, and like mint, regular and abundant watering, but without flooding.

Thyme

Very aromatic and with medicinal properties, thyme is a very resistant plant when you plant it in the ground, but not so much in a pot (either outdoors or indoors).

Care It grows well in all types of soils, but needs a lot of sun and moderate watering. Do not water again until the substrate is dry. If you plant it in a pot, make sure it is very well drained (with holes underneath and gravel at the base of the substrate) and never let it flood.

Oregano

Ideal for flavoring pasta dishes, pizzas and lasagna, oregano, like thyme, does not live very well in a pot.

Care It is undemanding to the substrate, but it should drain well and needs a lot of light, so you should place it in a very sunny location. It requires frequent but moderate waterings, without flooding and allowing the soil to dry between watering and watering.

Sage

Very suitable for flavoring soups, sauces, rice and roast meats, sage, like other aromatic plants, is very resistant when planted in the ground, but not so much in pots.

Care It requires very sunny exposure and dry environments, well-drained substrate (with gravel at the base and holes in the pot) and moderate watering (never let it puddle).

Basic care of aromatic plants indoors

Exposition. Indoors they do not live well unless you put them in very sunny places, such as the windowsill or glued to them. Parsley, coriander, and basil tolerate semi-shade.
Irrigation. Moderate the waterings so that they do not flood. When in doubt, better to water little than a lot.
Substratum. With the exception of mint, which prefers it peaty, they require porous and light substrates that do not accumulate much moisture.
Pots. With holes underneath for excess water to drain away and a layer of gravel at the base so that the roots do not touch the water if it becomes stagnant.
Saucers or covers. If you put it to protect the surface where they are or for aesthetics, remember to remove the excess water after each irrigation.
Pruning. As they are very rustic, they tend to become thin and ugly. To remedy this, the only option in many cases is to prune them drastically so that they sprout again from below.

And here you have all the tricks to take care of indoor plants (and that they do not die).