Top 11 'Living-Wall' Herbs to cultivate at home for a Flavorful Vertical Kitchen Garden - Goh Ling Yong
Picture this: You’re in the middle of preparing a delicious pasta sauce, and you realise it needs that final, fragrant touch. Instead of reaching for a jar of dried, flavourless flakes, you simply walk over to your kitchen wall, snip a few fresh basil leaves, and toss them into the pot. The aroma is immediate, the flavour is unparalleled, and the satisfaction is immense.
This isn't a scene from a high-end restaurant or a sprawling country estate. This is the reality of a vertical kitchen garden, a revolutionary way for anyone—from city apartment dwellers to suburban homeowners—to cultivate a bounty of fresh herbs right where they’re needed most. A living wall isn't just a stunning green feature; it's a functional, flavour-packed extension of your pantry. It transforms unused vertical space into a productive and beautiful culinary resource.
But where do you start? Which herbs will thrive in the unique environment of a wall-mounted planter? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we believe that gardening should be accessible and rewarding for everyone. We've compiled a list of the top 11 herbs that are perfectly suited for your living wall, turning your home into a sanctuary of fresh flavours and delightful scents.
1. Mint (Mentha species)
Why it's perfect for a living wall: If there's one herb that was practically born for vertical gardening, it's mint. Known for its vigorous, almost aggressive growth, mint’s spreading runners can quickly take over a traditional garden bed. However, in the confined pocket of a living wall, this "problem" becomes its greatest strength. It will eagerly fill its designated space, creating a lush, dense cascade of fragrant green leaves without invading its neighbours.
Cultivation and Care: Mint is famously easy to grow. It thrives in both full sun and partial shade, making it adaptable to various wall placements in your home. It prefers consistently moist soil, so be sure your vertical system has reliable irrigation or that you check its pocket regularly. The more you harvest, the more it will grow, so don't be shy about snipping sprigs for your tea, mojitos, or fruit salads.
Pro-Tip: Plant different varieties like peppermint, spearmint, or even chocolate mint in separate pockets to enjoy a full spectrum of flavours. Just be sure to give each one its own pocket—they don't like to share space!
2. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Why it's perfect for a living wall: Many varieties of thyme have a naturally trailing or "creeping" habit. This makes them visually stunning in a vertical garden, as they will elegantly spill over the edges of their planters, creating a soft, green waterfall effect. Its delicate leaves and woody stems are not just beautiful; they are packed with an earthy, savoury flavour that enhances everything from roasted chicken to vegetable stews.
Cultivation and Care: Thyme is a Mediterranean native, which means it loves sunshine and hates "wet feet." Position your thyme in a spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. It’s incredibly drought-tolerant, so it’s crucial to use a well-draining soil mix and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is the fastest way to kill this hardy herb.
Pro-Tip: For a beautiful visual and flavourful combination, plant Creeping Thyme in your wall system. As it grows, it will cascade down, covering the felt or plastic of the planters below it.
3. Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Why it's perfect for a living wall: Much like its cousin thyme, oregano is a hardy, sun-loving herb with a penchant for sprawling. Its trailing stems and small, rounded leaves are ideal for filling out a living wall. A healthy oregano plant will happily drape over its pocket, adding texture and depth to your vertical display. Plus, having fresh oregano on hand will elevate your homemade pizza and pasta sauces to a whole new level.
Cultivation and Care: Give oregano a sunny spot and excellent drainage. It’s a resilient plant that doesn't require much fuss. In fact, its flavour is often more concentrated when grown in less-fertile soil. Water it when the top inch of soil feels dry, and prune it back regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent it from becoming too "leggy."
Pro-Tip: Look for Greek Oregano for that classic, pungent flavour. Regular harvesting not only gives you herbs for the kitchen but also promotes a healthier, more compact plant.
4. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Why it's perfect for a living wall: While many of the best vertical garden herbs are trailers, chives offer a fantastic contrast with their upright, grass-like growth. Their slender green stalks add a different texture and a vertical element within the horizontal pockets, creating a more dynamic and interesting visual. They are incredibly easy to grow and offer a mild oniony flavour that's perfect for sprinkling over eggs, potatoes, and soups.
Cultivation and Care: Chives are wonderfully unfussy. They will tolerate partial shade but do best with at least four to six hours of sunlight. They prefer consistently moist soil but can forgive you if you occasionally forget to water. When you harvest, use scissors to snip the leaves about an inch from the base. This encourages the plant to quickly regrow, providing you with a near-endless supply.
Pro-Tip: Let some of your chives flower! Their beautiful, globe-like purple blossoms are edible and make a stunning and flavourful garnish for salads.
5. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Why it's perfect for a living wall: No kitchen garden, vertical or otherwise, is complete without basil. While some larger varieties can get a bit top-heavy, compact types like Globe Basil or Spicy Bush Basil are perfect for the pockets of a living wall. The convenience of having fresh, aromatic basil leaves at your fingertips for Caprese salads, pesto, or a simple garnish is a game-changer.
Cultivation and Care: Basil is a sun-worshipper and a bit of a drama queen. It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight and consistently moist, well-drained soil. It hates being dry and will wilt dramatically to let you know it's thirsty (but it usually perks right back up after a good drink). Regular pinching of the top sets of leaves is essential. This prevents the plant from flowering (which can make the leaves bitter) and encourages it to grow into a lush, bushy form.
Pro-Tip: Plant your basil high up on your living wall where it can get the most sun and where you can easily see and pinch off any flower buds that start to form.
6. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Why it's perfect for a living wall: The woody, pine-like aroma of rosemary is simply intoxicating. For a living wall, 'Prostratus' or trailing rosemary is an absolute star. It will gracefully cascade down the wall, its needle-like leaves creating a beautiful, evergreen curtain. It’s a robust herb that adds a bold, Mediterranean flavour to roasted meats, potatoes, and breads.
Cultivation and Care: Rosemary demands two things: full, unrelenting sun and superb drainage. It is extremely susceptible to root rot, so it's vital that its soil is light and airy and never becomes waterlogged. It’s better to underwater rosemary than to overwater it. Once established, it is very drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, making it a reliable fixture in your vertical garden.
Pro-Tip: Ensure the pocket for your rosemary is large enough to accommodate its root system as it matures. A slightly deeper pocket is ideal for this woody perennial.
7. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Why it's perfect for a living wall: Whether you prefer the frilly texture of curly parsley or the robust flavour of flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, both are excellent candidates for a living wall. They form neat, bushy clumps that fill out their pockets nicely without overpowering their neighbours. Parsley is one of the most versatile kitchen herbs, used as both a flavouring and a garnish in countless dishes.
Cultivation and Care: Parsley is quite adaptable. It thrives in full sun but will also tolerate partial shade, making it a good choice for less-sunny spots on your wall. Unlike the Mediterranean herbs, parsley enjoys consistently moist soil. Don't let it dry out completely. To harvest, snip the outer stems first, leaving the inner shoots to continue growing. This will ensure a continuous harvest throughout the season.
Pro-Tip: Parsley is a biennial, often grown as an annual. For the most tender leaves and best flavour, it's a good idea to plant a fresh batch each year.
8. Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Why it's perfect for a living wall: With its soft, velvety, grey-green leaves, sage adds a unique texture and colour to a vertical herb garden. Its earthy, slightly peppery flavour is essential for holiday stuffings, rich pasta sauces, and flavouring poultry. Compact varieties fit neatly into wall pockets and their sturdy structure holds up well.
Cultivation and Care: Sage is another sun-lover that requires excellent drainage. It’s a member of the mint family but is far less thirsty. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Good air circulation is also important to prevent issues like powdery mildew, which is another reason it performs well on an open, airy living wall. Prune back the woody stems in the spring to encourage fresh, tender new growth.
Pro-Tip: Consider planting a variegated variety like 'Tricolor' sage (with leaves of green, white, and pink) for an extra splash of colour on your living wall.
9. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Why it's perfect for a living wall: A delightful member of the mint family, Lemon Balm offers a wonderfully refreshing, citrusy scent and flavour without the aggressive spreading habit of its cousins. Its bright green, crinkled leaves form a lush mound, perfect for filling a pocket in your vertical garden. It's fantastic for making herbal teas, flavouring water, or adding a zesty note to fruit salads and fish dishes.
Cultivation and Care: Like mint, lemon balm is incredibly easy to grow. It does well in full sun to partial shade and is not particularly fussy about soil, as long as it's kept moderately moist. As Goh Ling Yong often advises beginner gardeners, starting with something forgiving like Lemon Balm can build confidence. Regular trimming will keep it compact and prevent it from getting leggy.
Pro-Tip: Crush a leaf between your fingers every time you walk by your living wall for a quick, uplifting burst of lemony aromatherapy!
10. Cilantro / Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Why it's perfect for a living wall: For lovers of Mexican, Thai, and Indian cuisines, fresh cilantro is non-negotiable. Growing it in a living wall gives you easy access for that perfect finishing touch on tacos, curries, and salsas. Its delicate, feathery leaves add a soft texture to your wall's composition.
Cultivation and Care: Cilantro can be a bit tricky because it's prone to "bolting" (flowering prematurely) in hot weather, which turns the leaves bitter. It prefers cooler temperatures and a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade. Keep the soil consistently moist. The key to a long harvest is succession planting—sow a few new seeds every 2-3 weeks in an empty pocket to ensure you have a continuous supply.
Pro-Tip: When your cilantro does eventually bolt, don't despair! Let it flower and go to seed. The small, round seeds are coriander, a completely different and delicious spice for your kitchen.
11. Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
Why it's perfect for a living wall: Often mistaken for its cousin oregano, marjoram offers a sweeter, more delicate, and floral flavour. It’s a low-growing, slightly trailing herb that forms a tidy mat of small, grey-green leaves, making it an excellent "filler" plant for a living wall. It’s a wonderful addition to chicken dishes, vegetable soups, and salad dressings.
Cultivation and Care: Marjoram loves a warm, sunny, and sheltered spot. Like oregano, it needs well-drained soil and should be watered only when the soil is dry to the touch. It’s a bit more tender than oregano and may not survive a harsh winter, but in the controlled environment of an indoor or patio living wall, it can thrive beautifully.
Pro-Tip: Harvest marjoram leaves just before the plant begins to flower for the most intense and sweetest flavour. Regular trimming will encourage a bushier, healthier plant.
Your Flavorful Wall Awaits
Creating a vertical kitchen garden is more than just a gardening project; it’s a lifestyle upgrade. It’s about reconnecting with your food, adding unparalleled freshness to your meals, and bringing a piece of living, functional art into your home. The sight of a lush green wall, the fragrant aroma of fresh herbs filling your kitchen, and the taste of a meal elevated by your own harvest is an experience that is deeply rewarding.
Don't be intimidated. Start small. Pick two or three herbs from this list that you use most often in your cooking. A small mint plant for your tea, some basil for your pasta, and chives for your morning eggs can be the beginning of a wonderful journey into vertical gardening.
So, what are you waiting for? Which herbs are you most excited to plant on your living wall? Share your plans, questions, and future vertical garden successes in the comments below! We'd love to hear from you.
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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