Dare to make your own aromatic plant garden at home; we’ll show you everything you’ll need and how to do it.
Spices are never too much in the kitchen, and they can elevate any dish to new heights of flavor. Herbs like parsley, basil, and mint are crucial in Mexican cooking, and the greatest part is that you don’t have to leave your house to propagate and cultivate them.
It’s easier than you think to grow aromatic plants in containers. You only need medium pots, seeds or cuttings, and soil to develop a garden with constantly fresh fragrances and flavours at your disposal in a few months:
Basil
Basil is a great challenge if you’ve already succeeded with another fragrant plant, because, while it’s easy to germinate, it takes special attention, such as daily watering to keep it wet and drainage to prevent root rot.
To grow your own basil, take a clipping from the main stem of another plant and keep it submerged in water until it germinates. Avoid planting in the summer or approaching fall, as it is an annual that will expire as the weather cools.
Cilantro
Coriander is the star of Mexican cuisine, with an unmistakable flavor, and you can have your own leaves at home in less than three months with a little care. Coriander can be propagated via pots or cuttings. In a deep pot, in a sunny position, your plant will thrive.
If you have an elongated pot, it’s best to sow it with a basil or mint plant because the care is similar and it’s a simple approach to keep pests away. Pay great attention to the water, since it has to be watered frequently in order to thrive. Wait for it to mature, and you’ll have your first leaves ready to harvest in 4 to 6 weeks.
Oregano
Oregano is a great option to establish your own aromatic garden because it is resistant to weather fluctuations. You can either take a cutting or sow seeds in a medium pot to start your own plant.
Try to soak in as much sunlight as possible, but don’t overdo it. Do this only when the ground appears to be dry on the surface, and preferably during the day, when the sun is at its maximum. To experience its flavors in the kitchen, you will need to dry its leaves in the sun, unlike other plants.
Parsley
Parsley is a fragrant plant that doesn’t need much care to delight you with its flavor. Unlike other species, a medium-sized pot is sufficient for planting a few seeds and regular watering until the stem appears.
It is a species that can withstand a wide range of temperatures, though it will develop more quickly in a temperate area. After a few months, you’ll get parsley sprigs that you may use in your recipes.
Mint
To stay green and grow, peppermint requires a lot of water and sunlight. Cuttings that develop in water are the easiest way to duplicate it, which you can later seed in a pot, preferably horizontally, as it usually becomes a leafy plant.
To keep your mint’s nutrient demands in check, compost the soil and cut it regularly, especially the blossoms, to keep it from stunting its growth. Take only the leaves you’ll need to help it grow.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of the most valuable spices and, at the same time, one of the most difficult to cultivate at home. Although this tree may grow up to 15 meters in an unmanaged environment, you can easily grow a tree half a meter tall in a container that is at least 30 cm deep.
Cinnamon may be reproduced most effectively through seeds. Three of them should be sown in specific containers or pellets and kept in a dark environment until they sprout. Place it where it will get plenty of natural light but not too much direct sunlight, and prune it regularly to control its development. After a few years, your tree should have grown to a height of at least 50 centimeters, allowing you to begin the first bark shed.