Herbs, or aromatic herbs – meaning they are scented – are some of the most sought-after plants for household gardens. In fact, their scent is what adds a new dimension to them, enabling them to repel or attract certain insects. This scent can be either related to their foliage or flowers.

There are countless ways of easily putting together a small herb garden in your house, as well as pre-made kits with built-in watering systems, quite easy to set up and highly adaptable.
Most of these plants enjoy sunlight and allow for tastier meals, or even infusions. A clever choice to make any space greener, diverse and pleasant.

We have selected a few of these herbs, highlighting particular features or properties:

Allium schoenoprasum – chives

Commonly used in seasonings, this is a small plant that does great in pots. It supports very narrow foliage and a very pretty pink flower resembling tiny spheres. Its aroma is similar to an onion’s; however, it is closely related to garlic.
Its medicinal properties make it a commonly used plant for digestive issues.

Aloysia triphylla – lemon verbena

This is a larger plant which has a pleasant lemony scent. Delicious teas can be made from it, which are also used for healing purposes.

Lavandula angustifolia – lavender

A widely known plant due to its beautiful violet flower and its famous scent. I tis a small bush that does very well in pots. Its flowers, that bloom from June to September, are commonly used in salads, infusions, or even soups.

Mentha sp – mint

There are countless varieties of this plant, but its flavour is unmistakable. It can be used for hot or cold infusions, or as an addition to a delicious and refreshing drink.

Melissa officinalis – lemon balm

An easy to grow plant which is commonly used for infusions – with a delicate lemon scent.

Salvia officinalis – sage

This is a typically Mediterranean plant. It looks beautiful in gardens due to its foliage and violet flower. It is commonly used in Italian dishes. Germans also use it for sausage based meals.

Thymus vulgaris – Thyme

Thyme is a herb or subshrub whose leaves are vastly used for cooking, but also make a beautiful garden or pot plant. It supports small pink or white flowers. There are other varieties like lemon thyme, Thymus citriodorus, also widely used as a condiment.

Ocimum basilicum – Basil

An annual plant you can keep in either a pot or planter, which also enjoys sunshine. It’s commonly used in pizza.

Rosmarinus officinalis – rosemary

A rustic and resistant shrub with a scent that is known to all. A beautiful element to add to an herb garden or to a Mediterranean garden. It might also be grown in pot form for a while, but in order for it to last longer it will need more space.

Foenicum vulgare – fennel

An aromatic herbaceous, edible and native to the Mediterranean region. It was used by ancient Egyptians to assist with poor digestion. Its seeds have digestive properties and its fruits have an anis-y flavour, which is why it is used in certain liquors. Its roots are also used in meal preparation.

Amália Souto de Miranda
Landscape Architect