Feeding herbs: when, how & the best herb plant food

Kati
Kati
Kati
Kati

I am a qualified gardener and horticulturalist and love everything that grows! Whether it's a shrub, a tree, a useful plant or a supposed weed: for me, every plant is a little miracle.
In the garden I look after my 13 chickens, grow fruit & vegetables and otherwise observe how nature manages and shapes itself.

Favourite fruit: Blueberry, apple
Favourite vegetables: Braised cucumber, kale, green pepper

Fertilising herbs from time to time will help to create the perfect flavour. Discover when and how to feed herbs properly and the best fertiliser for herb plants.

A variety of herbs in pots
For your herbs to thrive and have a rich flavour, proper fertilisation is crucial [Photo: pixfix/ Shutterstock.com]

Herbs are indispensable for preparing delicious food. In order to fully develop their aroma, they need an appropriate supply of nutrients. Too much can damage the aroma, too little can reduce growth. So, the right amount is crucial here.

Which herbs need feeding?

As with all plants, there are some herbs that are particularly hungry for nutrients and others that can be harmed by too many nutrients.

Sun-loving Mediterranean herbs thrive in dry and nutrient-poor locations. So, they will need to be planted in a well-drained, nutrient-poor soil in a bed or pot and not given too much fertiliser. In the worst case, not only the aroma of the herbs suffers from overfeeding but also their frost hardiness and resistance to pests and diseases. Mediterranean herbs are therefore best planted in nutrient-poor permeable soil, such as our Plantura Organic Herb & Seedling Compost. Many herbs even benefit from adding more sand or crushed expanded clay to the sowing compost.

Organic Herb & Seedling Compost, 20L
Organic Herb & Seedling Compost, 20L
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(4.8/5)
  • Perfect for herbs as well as sowing, propagating & transplanting
  • For aromatic herbs & healthy seedlings with strong roots
  • Peat-free & organic soil: CO2-saving composition
£12.49

Herbs with low nutrient requirements include:

  • Garden cress (Lepidium sativum)
  • Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
  • Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
  • Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
  • Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris
  • Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
  • Rue (Ruta graveolens)
  • Sage (Salvia officinalis)
  • Savory (Satureja spec.) 
  • Sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana)
  • Thyme (Thymus spec.)

Tip: herbs with low water and nutrient requirements grow best at the top of a herb spiral.

mugwort plant
Mugwort thrives in nutrient poor soil

Herbs that grow in moist and nutrient-rich places in their natural habitat and prefer more shade and moisture need more generous fertilisation. In addition, the potting soil used will need to store water and nutrients effectively. For these herbs, a nutrient-rich vegetable soil, such as our Plantura Organic Tomato & Vegetable Compost, is very suitable. Not only can it store many nutrients and water very well due to its high compost content, but its high potassium content also ensures stable cell walls and thus sturdy and healthy plants.

Herbs with high nutrient requirements include:

Organic Tomato & Vegetable Compost, 40L
Organic Tomato & Vegetable Compost, 40L
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(5/5)
  • Perfect for tomatoes & other vegetables such as chillies, courgettes & more
  • For strong & healthy plant growth as well as an abundant vegetable harvest
  • Peat-free & organic soil: CO2-saving composition
£16.99

Feeding herbs: when and how often?

Sufficient nutrients are extremely important for the lush growth of many plants. It is important to fertilise nutrient-loving herbs regularly, but “less is more” is the rule here. If herbs are given too many nutrients, their aroma will suffer. The strength of the shoots and resistance to many pathogens also decreases significantly with moderate overfertilisation. Therefore, fertilise your herbs sparingly.

Apply fertiliser once to max. twice a year to herbs with high nutrient requirements. Apply the first dose of fertiliser in spring at the beginning of growth and a second dose in early summer. Herbs with low nutrient requirements can often thrive very well in the bed for years without fertiliser. In pots, regular repotting provides sufficient replenishment. If frequent repotting is not possible or desirable, fertiliser can also be applied sparingly in spring.

Hands holding compost for herbs
One or two applications of organic fertiliser per year are sufficient for nutrient-loving herbs [Photo: bluedog studio/ Shutterstock.com]

The best plant food for herbs

Nutrient-hungry herbs only provide tasty foliage when well fertilised.

For a natural long-term effect without compromising the flavour, a primarily organic fertiliser, such as our Plantura All Purpose Plant Food, is an excellent choice. For a quick start in spring, our animal-free fertiliser can be soaked in water for a day and then applied with a watering can – this way the fertilising effect starts even faster.

Herbs with low nutrient requirements can be fertilised once a year with a smaller amount of our primarily organic Plantura All Purpose Plant Food or a plant food for herbs, for example, nettle tea feed.

All Purpose Plant Food, 1.5kg
All Purpose Plant Food, 1.5kg
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(4.8/5)
  • Perfect for a variety of plants in the garden & on the balcony
  • Promotes healthy plant growth & an active soil life
  • Long-lasting fertiliser that is free from animal products - child & pet friendly
£9.99

Summary – feeding herbs:

  • Fertilise nutrient-loving herbs 1 -2 a year
  • Fertilise herbs with a low nutrient requirement very rarely, at most once a year
  • First fertiliser application in spring
  • Use organic fertilisers such as our primarily organic Plantura All Purpose Plant Food to avoid compromising the flavour and health of the plants.

Many herbs are easy to grow in pots or on the balcony. If you would like to find out more, check out our dedicated article on growing herbs in pots.

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