Herbs should also be fertilized from time to time for the perfect flavor. We reveal when and how to fertilize herbs correctly and which fertilizer is suitable for herbs.
Herbs are essential for preparing delicious food. In order to be able to fully develop the aroma, however, they need an adapted supply of nutrients. Too much can harm flavor, too little can reduce growth. The right measure is therefore crucial here.
Which herbs should be fertilized?
As with all plants, there are some herbs that are particularly hungry for nutrients, and others that are actually detrimental to too many nutrients.
Sun-loving, Mediterranean herbs thrive in their homeland mainly in dry and nutrient-poor locations. For this reason, they should also be planted in permeable, nutrient-poor soil in your bed or pot and not supplied with too much fertilizer. In the worst case, not only does the aroma of the herbs suffer from an oversupply, but also their frost hardness and resistance to pests and diseases. Mediterranean herbs are therefore best planted in nutrient-poor, permeable soil such as our Plantura Organic Herb and Seed Soil. Many herbs even benefit from adding more sand or broken expanded clay to the seed soil.
Herbs with low nutrient requirements include:
- Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
- Savory (Satureja spec.)
- Cress (Lepidium sativum)
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
- Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
- Thyme (Thymus spec.)
- Rue (Ruta graveolens)
- Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
- Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
- Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Tip: Herbs with low water and nutrient requirements grow in aHerb spiral at the top.
Herbs that grow in their natural habitat in damp and nutrient-rich places and prefer something shady and damp need more generous fertilization. In addition, the potting soil used should be able to store water and nutrients effectively. A nutrient-rich vegetable soil such as our Plantura organic tomato and vegetable soil is very suitable for these herbs. Not only can it store a lot of nutrients and water very well thanks to its high compost content, but its high potassium content also ensures stable cell walls and thus stable and he althy plants.
Herbs with rather high nutritional requirements include:
- Basil (Ocimum basil)
- Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
- Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
- Mint (Mentha)
- Parsley (Petroselinum crispum ssp. crispum)
- lovage (Levisticum officinale)
- Borage (Borago officinalis)
- Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum)
- Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora)
When and how often should you fertilize herbs?
Sufficient nutrients are extremely important for lush growth of many plants. Nutrient-loving herbs should therefore be fertilized regularly. But “less is more” is the rule here. If herbs get an excess of nutrients, the aroma suffers. The firmness of the shoots and the resistance to many pathogens also decrease significantly with moderate over-fertilization. Therefore, fertilize your herbs sparingly.
One to a maximum of two fertilizer applications per year for your herbs with high nutrient requirements are absolutely sufficient. The first application of fertilizer should be given in spring at the beginning of growth, a second is possible in early summer.
Herbs with low nutrient requirements can often thrive very well in beds for years without fertiliser. In pots, regular repotting ensures sufficient supplies. If frequent repotting is not possible or desired, you can also fertilize sparingly in spring.
Herbal fertiliser: How and with what do you fertilize herbs?
Nutrient hungry herbsonly provide a lot of tasty leaves if they are well fertilized.
For a natural long-term effect without endangering the aroma, a primarily organic fertilizer such as our Plantura organic universal fertilizer is a good choice. Our animal-free fertilizer enables a quick start in spring by soaking it in water for a day and then spreading it with the watering can - this way the fertilizing effect starts even faster.
Herbs with low nutrient requirements can be fertilized once a year with a smaller amount of our predominantly organic Plantura organic universal fertilizer or with plant manure, such as nettle manure.
Summary - Fertilize herbs naturally:
- Fertilize nutrient-loving herbs once or twice a year.
- Frugal herbs very rarely, fertilize at most once a year.
- First application of fertilizer in spring.
- Use organic fertilizers such as our predominantly organic Plantura organic universal fertilizer so as not to endanger the aroma and he alth of the plants.
Many herbs can be easily grown in pots or on the balcony. If you want to learn more about this, you will find what you are looking for in our articles on herbs in pots and on a herb garden on the balcony.