5 ways to help your herbs thrive at home

Mint and basil grow well on a window or balcony with a minimum of five hours of direct sunlight. Photo: Pixaline/Pixabay

Planting herbs on your balcony or lawn isn't complicated. And the good news is you don't need green fingers to grow them.

Plant nursery owner Steve Teh said most plants would generally grow well with primary care know-how.

"It is essential to know your plants and determine if they can thrive indoors or outdoors. Certain herbs and plants like jasmine and roses need direct sun to survive.

"While the Internet and social media are excellent sources of knowledge, they are also frequent sources of misinformation. Many gardening websites are written by horticulturists based in the United States and Great Britain, where the weather conditions differ significantly from Malaysia.

"Some information can be misleading, so it is advisable to read up on plants on local websites and Facebook groups," said Teh.

He shares these tips on how to help your herbs thrive in a tropical climate.

Sunlight

Mint and basil grow well on a window or balcony with a minimum of five hours of direct sunlight. Ensure your herbs have enough ventilation too.

Herbs that get six hours of direct afternoon sun must be watered twice a day. Photo: Ulrike Leone/Pixabay

Porosity

Herbs thrive in pots with well-drained soil. Rosemary, thyme and lavender need a higher porosity potting mix to grow well. Basil, mint and parsley will thrive as long as the potting mix is porous enough to drain the water. Try adding coarse river sand, perlite and rice husk to the potting mix to increase the soil's porosity.

Rosemary (pix), thyme and lavender need a higher porosity potting mix to grow well. Photo: Anja/Pixabay

Water

The amount of water that herbs need depends on the amount of sunlight received each day. Plants that get six hours of direct afternoon sun must be watered twice a day.

The amount of water that herbs need depends on the amount of sunlight received each day. Photo: Karolina Grabowska/Pixabay

Fertiliser

Fertilisers provide leafy greens with the nutrients they need to thrive. Apply organic fertilisers approximately twice a month.

Pest control

It is crucial to protect your plants and herbs from pesky invaders. Inspect your plants regularly to see if any pests threaten them. Spray organic pesticides every fortnight to curb insects from laying eggs.

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