Top 13 'Sip-and-Soothe' Aromatic Herbs to Grow in Hanging Baskets for a Calmer Home Office - Goh Ling Yong
The line between your living room and your office has blurred into a single, screen-filled landscape. The commute is gone, but so is the separation. In its place, we often find a lingering sense of stress, digital fatigue, and a craving for a sanctuary that feels distinct from our workspace. How do we reclaim that sense of calm and create a haven for focus and well-being right at our desks?
The answer is simpler and more beautiful than you might think. It’s not about expensive tech or a complete room overhaul. It's about harnessing the ancient, gentle power of nature. Imagine, suspended near your window, a lush cascade of green. As a gentle breeze drifts by, it carries a whisper of lemon, mint, or lavender. This isn't just a plant; it's a living, breathing aromatherapy diffuser and a personal tea station, all in one.
This is the "Sip-and-Soothe" philosophy. By growing aromatic herbs in space-saving hanging baskets, you create a multi-sensory experience that calms your mind while you work and provides fresh ingredients for a soothing cup of tea when you need a break. It’s a simple ritual that reconnects you to the natural world, right from your office chair. Let's explore the top 13 herbs perfect for this calming corner of your home.
1. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
When you think of a calming tea, chamomile is likely the first herb that comes to mind. Its reputation is legendary for a reason. The delicate, daisy-like flowers release a sweet, apple-like fragrance that instantly signals your brain to slow down and relax. Growing it in a hanging basket allows its feathery foliage and cheerful white-and-yellow blossoms to spill over the sides, creating a soft, ethereal look.
For tea, you'll want to grow German Chamomile, as it's sweeter and less bitter than its cousin, Roman Chamomile. It thrives in full sun but will appreciate some afternoon shade in hotter climates. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—a well-draining potting mix is key. Harvest the flowers in the morning after the dew has dried for the most potent flavor and aroma. You can use them fresh or dry them on a screen for a few days to store for later use.
Pro Tip: For an incredibly soothing pre-bedtime ritual, brew a cup of fresh chamomile tea and add a thin slice of apple and a tiny drizzle of honey. The apple enhances the natural notes of the chamomile, creating the ultimate liquid lullaby.
2. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender is the undisputed queen of calming aromas. Its iconic floral, slightly sweet scent is synonymous with relaxation and is a powerhouse in aromatherapy for reducing anxiety and promoting sleep. Having a basket of it hanging in your home office is like having a constant, gentle wave of tranquility washing over your workspace. The silvery-green foliage and slender purple flower spikes are stunningly beautiful, adding a touch of rustic elegance.
It's crucial to choose the right variety. For tea and culinary use, stick to English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), such as 'Munstead' or 'Hidcote'. Other types, like Spanish or French lavender, have a much higher camphor content and are better suited for potpourri. Lavender loves sun—at least six hours a day—and detests wet feet, so use a gritty, fast-draining soil mix (like a cactus mix with some compost) and let the soil dry out between waterings.
Pro Tip: Snip a few fresh lavender sprigs and simply place them on your desk. As you work, gently roll the flower heads between your fingers to release their essential oils for an instant stress-busting scent boost.
3. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
If you need a plant that lifts your spirits while calming your nerves, look no further than Lemon Balm. A member of the mint family, this vigorous herb releases a bright, cheerful lemon scent with just a gentle touch. It's known to improve mood, reduce stress, and even help with focus—making it a perfect desk-side companion. Its crinkly, heart-shaped leaves create a dense, lush mound of green that looks fantastic in a hanging pot.
Lemon Balm is famously easy to grow, almost too easy. It can be quite invasive in a garden bed, which is why a hanging basket is the perfect way to contain its enthusiasm! It prefers full sun to partial shade and likes consistently moist soil. Pinch back the tips regularly to encourage a bushier plant and to prevent it from flowering, which can make the leaves taste a bit bitter.
Pro Tip: Muddle a few fresh lemon balm leaves in the bottom of a glass, top with sparkling water, and add a squeeze of lime for a refreshing, focus-enhancing afternoon drink that’s a healthy alternative to that third cup of coffee.
4. Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
The scent of peppermint is instantly clarifying. It’s that cool, sharp, invigorating aroma that can cut through mental fog and ease tension headaches. While stimulating, it also has a wonderful calming effect on the digestive system, making it the perfect post-lunch tea. The rich, dark green leaves provide a beautiful contrast to other herbs, and its rapid growth will quickly fill out a hanging basket.
Like its relatives, peppermint can be a bit of a bully, so container gardening is its happy place. It thrives in rich, moist soil and enjoys a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade. Keep it well-watered, especially on hot days, to prevent the leaves from wilting. Harvest leaves from the top of the plant to encourage bushier growth below.
Pro Tip: For a tension-taming steam, place a handful of fresh peppermint leaves in a bowl and pour hot water over them. Drape a towel over your head and inhale the steam for a few minutes. It’s an amazing way to clear your head during a stressful workday.
5. Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
If you find peppermint a little too intense, its gentler cousin, spearmint, is your perfect match. The scent is sweeter and softer, with the same minty freshness but less of the sharp menthol kick. It’s wonderfully refreshing and known to be a gentle digestive aid and stress-reliever. The bright green, pointed leaves have a slightly crinkled texture and look lovely cascading from a basket.
Growing spearmint is identical to growing peppermint: give it rich, moist soil, partial sun, and regular harvesting. Because its flavor is more delicate, it pairs wonderfully with other herbs in tea blends. Here on the Goh Ling Yong blog, we love combining it with lemon balm and a little chamomile for a perfectly balanced, soothing brew.
Pro Tip: Freeze spearmint leaves in ice cube trays with water. Pop a few minty cubes into your water bottle in the morning for a subtly flavored, refreshing drink that will keep you hydrated and calm all day long.
6. Holy Basil / Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
This isn't your average pesto basil. Holy Basil, or Tulsi, is a revered adaptogenic herb in Ayurvedic medicine, meaning it helps the body adapt to physical and emotional stress. Its aroma is complex and captivating—a unique blend of clove, pepper, and mint. Simply having this plant nearby feels grounding and centering. It’s an attractive, bushy plant with slightly fuzzy leaves and delicate purple or white flowers.
There are several types of Tulsi, with 'Rama' and 'Krishna' being the most common. It loves heat and sun, so place it in your brightest window. Use a well-draining soil and water it when the top inch of soil feels dry. Tulsi is grown as an annual in most climates but can be a short-lived perennial indoors if given enough light.
Pro Tip: A simple Tulsi tea is a powerful daily ritual. Just steep 4-5 fresh leaves in hot water for 5-10 minutes. The act of preparing and sipping this tea can become a mindful moment of pause in a hectic day, helping you reset and refocus.
7. Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Don't let the name fool you—this herb has powerful benefits for humans, too! While it makes cats euphoric, it has the opposite effect on people, acting as a mild sedative and relaxant. It’s excellent for easing anxiety and promoting restful sleep. The plant itself has soft, grey-green, heart-shaped leaves and a gentle minty-herbal scent. It’s a hardy, easy-to-grow member of the mint family.
Catnip is not fussy at all. It will thrive in a sunny spot with average, well-draining soil. It's quite drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance choice for a hanging basket. Be sure to harvest it before it flowers for the best flavor in your tea. And if you have a feline friend, be prepared for them to take a very keen interest in your new hanging garden!
Pro Tip: If you're struggling to switch off your "work brain" in the evening, a cup of catnip tea about an hour before bed can work wonders. Blend it with a little chamomile or lemon balm to enhance its sleep-promoting effects.
8. Lemon Thyme (Thymus citriodorus)
Lemon Thyme offers the best of both worlds: the earthy, grounding aroma of traditional thyme combined with a zesty burst of bright citrus. This delightful scent is both uplifting and clarifying. As a tea, it's fantastic for soothing sore throats and coughs, making it a great herb to have on hand during cold season. Its tiny leaves and trailing habit make it one of the most beautiful herbs for a hanging basket, creating a delicate, woody cascade.
This Mediterranean herb demands sun and excellent drainage. Use a sandy or gritty soil mix and allow it to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is the fastest way to kill thyme. Prune it back after it flowers to encourage fresh, tender growth and maintain its shape.
Pro Tip: Create an aromatic "desk smudge" by tying a small bundle of fresh lemon thyme and rosemary sprigs together with twine. Keep it on your desk and give it a gentle squeeze when you need a moment of clarity and focus.
9. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
The potent, pine-like fragrance of rosemary is a powerful cognitive stimulant, famously associated with improving memory and concentration. What could be more perfect for a home office? A simple brush of your hand against the plant releases a wave of invigorating aroma that can help you power through a complex task. While upright rosemary is common, the prostrate or trailing varieties are ideal for hanging baskets.
Like thyme, rosemary needs a sunny spot (6-8 hours) and superb drainage. It's highly drought-tolerant and prefers to be kept on the drier side. It's something I, Goh Ling Yong, have found incredibly beneficial; a quick sniff of my rosemary plant before a big meeting helps clear my head and sharpen my focus.
Pro Tip: For an energizing tea, steep one small sprig of fresh rosemary in hot water for no more than 3-5 minutes. Over-steeping can make it bitter. It’s a potent brew that’s perfect for combating the mid-afternoon slump.
10. Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Sage has a rich, earthy, and slightly peppery aroma that has been used for centuries in cleansing and purifying rituals. In the home office, its scent can help create a sense of mental clarity and calm. As a tea, sage is a go-to remedy for soothing a sore throat, calming an upset stomach, and even easing hot flashes. The soft, pebbly, grey-green leaves add beautiful texture and color to a mixed herb basket.
Sage is another sun-lover that requires well-draining soil. It’s relatively low-maintenance, but it’s a good idea to prune it back in the spring to prevent it from becoming too woody. There are many varieties, including purple and tricolor sage, which look stunning but have a slightly milder flavor than common garden sage.
Pro Tip: Try a "Sage Latté." Brew a strong cup of sage tea, strain it, and top it with steamed milk (dairy or non-dairy) and a touch of honey. It's a comforting, unique, and soothing beverage for a chilly day.
11. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Not a true hyssop, this beautiful member of the mint family is a sensory delight. The leaves and stunning purple flower spikes exude a sweet scent and flavor reminiscent of licorice and anise. It's a wonderfully calming herb that is also a magnet for bees and butterflies, bringing a bit of the wild garden right to your window.
Anise Hyssop is easy to grow, preferring full sun but tolerating a bit of shade. It likes average, well-drained soil. The real showstoppers are the long-lasting purple flower spikes, which are also edible and make a beautiful and delicious addition to your tea. Regular deadheading will encourage more blooms throughout the season.
Pro Tip: Both the leaves and flowers can be used for tea. For a visually stunning and delicious brew, steep a few fresh leaves and a full flower spike in a glass mug. The purple hue of the flowers adds a touch of magic to your cup.
12. Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora)
Often hailed as the "queen of lemon herbs," Lemon Verbena possesses the most pure, intense, and candy-like lemon fragrance imaginable. It’s stronger and less "green" than lemon balm. The scent alone is enough to elevate your mood and melt away stress. A cup of Lemon Verbena tea is pure bliss—a smooth, refreshing, and profoundly calming experience.
This herb is a bit more tender than the others and is sensitive to cold, making it a perfect candidate for an indoor hanging basket where you can control its environment. It needs plenty of sun and rich, well-draining soil. It can get leggy, so pinch it back regularly to encourage a fuller, bushier shape. The pruned leaves are, of course, perfect for your teapot.
Pro Tip: Dry the leaves for a potent, long-lasting supply of tea. Simply spread them on a screen in a warm, airy room for a few days. The dried leaves retain their incredible scent and make a fantastic gift for friends and family.
13. Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana)
Our final herb isn't chosen for its aroma, but for its incredible utility in your "Sip-and-Soothe" garden. Stevia, also known as "sweet leaf," is a natural, zero-calorie sweetener. Having a fresh supply on hand means you can sweeten any of your herbal teas without reaching for sugar. The plant itself is unassuming, with slender green leaves.
Stevia loves a warm, sunny spot and well-drained soil. It appreciates consistent moisture, so don't let it dry out completely. You can harvest the leaves as needed throughout the growing season. The sweetness is most concentrated right before the plant begins to flower, so pinch off any flower buds that appear.
Pro Tip: To use it, simply add one or two fresh stevia leaves directly to your teapot along with your other herbs like mint, lemon balm, or chamomile. It will infuse the brew with a clean, natural sweetness as it steeps. No processing required!
Your Personal Oasis Awaits
Creating a calmer, more productive home office doesn't require a huge investment or a massive lifestyle change. It can begin with a single hook, a basket, and a handful of soil. By cultivating these "Sip-and-Soothe" herbs, you’re not just growing plants; you’re cultivating moments of peace. You’re creating a small, daily ritual that grounds you, pleases your senses, and nourishes your body.
You don’t have to grow all thirteen at once. Start with one or two that call to you—the bright cheer of Lemon Balm or the classic comfort of Chamomile. Watch them grow, enjoy their fragrance, and savor the simple, profound pleasure of brewing a cup of tea from leaves you grew yourself. This is your personal oasis, a green and fragrant buffer against the stresses of the digital world.
Now it's your turn. Which of these aromatic herbs are you most excited to grow in your home office? Share your top pick or your favorite herbal tea blend in the comments below
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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