Choosing the right pot to grow herbs

A 14-inch-diameter pot is the optimal size for a collection of herbs — large enough to do the job without becoming a major production in weight, cost and soil volume.

Herbs need great drainage — some gardeners place clay shards over the drainage hole, others just line the pot with landscape filter fabric to keep soil from washing out.

Broad, bowl-shaped containers hold moisture longer than regular pots and may drown herbs.

Glazed ceramic, concrete and resin pots tend to be freeze-resistant and can be left outside in the winter, but they should be protected against saturation. Most terra cotta pots are not frost-proof and should be brought into a sheltered and dry location in winter.

Many independent garden centers carry a large selection of attractive glazed and clay pots, many of them mass-produced in Southeast Asia. High-design resin and concrete pots are available from companies such as Campania International, Lunaform and NativeCast.