Sun and drainage come first
Rosemary and thyme suit sunny places and free-draining compost. Choose a pot with open drainage holes and room for the variety’s mature size.
Read the full adviceHERBS · GROWING GUIDE
Rosemary and thyme: sunny pots with good drainage
These aromatic herbs belong together when the growing conditions suit them. A sunny outdoor pot is a better starting point than a dim kitchen corner.
By Ma Petite Fleur · Updated 4 October 2026
Rosemary in a container, showing its narrow leaves.
Photo credit & licence
Photo: Lyndadelz. CC BY-SA 4.0. Original photograph on Wikimedia Commons. Resized and converted to WebP; any card crop uses the same licence. Educational illustration; plants and cultivars vary.
THE SHORT VERSION
Start with these useful points
Water a container as a container
Even drought-tolerant herbs need water while establishing and in pots during dry weather.
Read the full adviceHarvest and trim thoughtfully
Pick small sprigs and keep a balanced shape. Trim rosemary lightly rather than cutting deep into old bare wood.
Read the full adviceSun and drainage come first
Rosemary and thyme suit sunny places and free-draining compost. Choose a pot with open drainage holes and room for the variety’s mature size. Keep them apart from mint if sharing a container would leave their roots continually wet.
Water a container as a container
Even drought-tolerant herbs need water while establishing and in pots during dry weather. Check below the surface and let water drain after watering. Do not interpret “Mediterranean” as “never water”; equally, do not keep adding water to a cool pot that is already wet.
Harvest and trim thoughtfully
Pick small sprigs and keep a balanced shape. Trim rosemary lightly rather than cutting deep into old bare wood. Keep the plant name and pruning guidance with the pot. Thyme can be tidied after flowering, retaining healthy leafy growth.
Winter wet deserves attention
Established rosemary is hardy in much of the UK, but exposed or colder locations may need protection. Thyme needs good drainage through winter too. Check variety hardiness, raise containers clear of blocked drainage and consider shelter from prolonged wet weather.
A useful buying comparison
An upright rosemary may need more vertical space than a trailing variety. Some thymes form low mats; others make a more upright tuft. Measure your intended container, compare labels and choose for the space rather than assuming every small herb stays small.
Related guides
Growing references
Timings refer to UK conditions. Check the exact species, local weather and the instructions supplied with your plant.
CONTINUE WITH HERBS