Just bought it, and growing normally
Keep the nursery pot and root ball. Put it in suitable light, clear the saucer and check moisture. No extra soil or additives today.
GARDEN PLUS · GROWING NOTES
Good soil starts with the herb.
Choose one or more herbs for a simple soil plan, potting steps and individual watering cues.
01 / Which herbs are you growing? Select one or more.
First: does it need new soil?
Roots have filled the pot
Move up one pot size and fill around the root ball with ready-made potting mix. Choose your plant below for the exact steps.
02 / Find your next step
Choose your herbs. Get one clear plan.
One choice is enough. Select all your herbs to see shared materials and care tips for each plant.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Choose your conditions to see a suggested next step.
Give excess water a way out first
Use a growing pot with drainage holes. If it sits inside a decorative pot, lift it out to drain and empty the outer pot. An additive cannot create a drainage outlet.
Check the pot before choosing materials
Look underneath the growing pot and check where the water goes. Once you know whether it drains, return to this choice.
Try the ready-made mix as supplied
Read the ingredient list and observe drainage and drying. A mix that already contains perlite or vermiculite does not automatically need another dose of either.
Check the mix label before feeding
Neither perlite nor vermiculite is a fertiliser. If the base mix already contains feed, avoid automatically adding more. Follow the fertiliser label for the plant and its current growth.
Pause the additives and check the wet pot
Check deeper moisture, blocked outlets and water in the saucer. Let excess water drain and reassess watering and light. If roots smell unpleasant or are soft, inspect the plant; perlite does not treat root rot.
Find out why it dries so quickly
Check sun and wind, roots filling the pot, and whether water runs past dry areas. Solve those issues first. Tick the check above only after doing it, then reassess moisture retention.
Perlite is a material to consider
For a new or reviewed base mix, perlite can help open up its structure. Mix evenly rather than making a separate bottom layer. Check the finished mix in your own pot before changing more.
Vermiculite may help even out moisture
If your plant needs moist, well-drained conditions and the mix is drying too readily, consider vermiculite as an optional ingredient. Keep drainage working and avoid increasing moisture in an already wet mix.
Check before increasing water retention
For rosemary or thyme, prioritise a freely draining mix. Do not automatically add vermiculite because the surface looks dry; check deeper moisture and the root ball first.
Observe first; you may need neither
Check the plant's moisture needs and the mix ingredients. If the current mix drains and dries suitably, keep using it. There is no need to buy an additive just to complete a set.
Your herb soil plan
This is a starting guide for healthy plants that need repotting, using pots with drainage holes. Healthy new arrivals can stay in their original pots. For wet soil, poor light or a mix you already own, open the optional adjustments above.
Shared soil does not mean shared pots or a shared watering schedule. Keep these herbs in separate pots so each can be watered when it needs it; mint especially benefits from its own pot.
[count] selected · shared materials, individual care
Your potting plan
For a healthy plant that needs more root space. Keep its root ball and add fresh mix around it.
01 / Which soil
Fresh mix to add: 100% ready-made potting mix
Extra perlite: 0 · Extra vermiculite: 0 · Extra compost: 0
This describes the fresh fill around the original root ball, not replacing all its soil. Keep the mix loose; do not pack it hard.
02 / How to pot
- Use a pot with open drainage holes, only one size larger than the root ball. Do not jump to a large planter.
- Keep the old soil surface at the same level. Add fresh mix around the sides, leaving space below the rim for watering.
03 / First watering
After repotting a healthy plant, water slowly over the surface until water comes through the holes. Let it drain, then empty the saucer.
If the root ball is already soggy or smells sour, stop this repotting plan and choose “stays wet” above.
Watering cues for each herb
Fertiliser: do not add it while repotting
Buy today: nothing extra
Do not strip off the nursery soil or repot just because it is new. First give it suitable light and learn how fast its pot dries.
Today: keep the original pot
Leave the root ball intact. Remove any water trapped in an outer pot. Check below the soil surface before deciding to water.
Extra perlite: 0 · Extra vermiculite: 0 · Extra compost: 0
Watering cues for each herb
Buy today: nothing extra
If it drains and the plant is growing normally, keep using it. Adding more ingredients is not the next step.
Today: keep the mix you have
If preparing a new pot, use the ready-made mix directly around the root ball. If reviewing an established pot, do not dig it up just to add ingredients.
Extra perlite: 0 · Extra vermiculite: 0 · Extra compost: 0
Watering cues for each herb
Suliflor Premium Universal Substrate – 70L
See this soil and its price ↘The product lists herbs and vegetables among its uses and includes starter nutrients. Use the supplied blend for this first potting plan.
70L is a large bag. For one small pot, use suitable mix you already have or arrange to share a bag; you do not need to use the whole bag.
Premium All-Purpose Potting Mix 80L
See this soil and its price ↘Already blended with perlite and vermiculite. Use it as supplied; do not add another dose of either ingredient.
Check the root zone each day in warm weather. If it is starting to dry, water and drain; if still moist, wait. Avoid repeatedly letting it wilt before watering.
Keep the mix evenly moist by checking before it dries through. If damp, wait; if starting to dry, water and empty the saucer. Keep mint in its own pot.
Feel below the surface and lift the pot. Water when the upper root zone has dried and the pot feels lighter; wait if it is still damp. Do not wait until the entire root ball is bone-dry.
For rosemary and thyme: start in a sunny position sheltered from heavy rain. If the mix stays soggy, stop watering and check the outlet and pot size; do not sprinkle perlite on top to “fix” it.
Check under the leafy base as well as the exposed soil. Water when the upper root zone has dried; keep the stem base free of wet, packed soil.
For rosemary and thyme: start in a sunny position sheltered from heavy rain. If the mix stays soggy, stop watering and check the outlet and pot size; do not sprinkle perlite on top to “fix” it.
Check more often in sunny, windy weather. Water when the root zone starts to dry, then drain. If it dries unusually fast after a thorough watering, check for crowded roots.
In warm, sunny weather, check daily. Keep moisture steady: water as the root zone starts to dry, then let excess water escape. A wet pot does not need topping up.
Keep the root zone moist rather than letting the whole pot dry out. Feel below the surface before watering; a dry crust can hide moist soil underneath.
Check regularly during flowering and fruiting. Water as the root zone begins to dry, avoiding cycles of severe drying and soaking. Midday drooping alone is not a reason to soak wet soil.
Use the same moisture check as parsley. Check down into the deeper root zone; water as it begins to dry and avoid leaving the pot in a full saucer.
Check daily in hot, dry weather. Water as the root zone starts to dry; prolonged dryness can trigger early flowering. Keep its taproot undisturbed.
Check this first, then return to the plan
Take the nursery pot out of the decorative cover. If the growing pot has no outlet, use a pot with drainage holes. Empty trapped water; adding perlite cannot create an outlet.
Buy today: nothing extraCheck this first, then return to the plan
Lift the growing pot and look underneath. Check the inner pot, not just the decorative cover. If you can confirm open holes, choose “yes” above.
Buy today: nothing extraCheck this first, then return to the plan
Stop watering while the root zone is still wet. Empty the saucer, check blocked holes and shelter it from rain. If stems are soft or roots smell bad, inspect plant health before following a normal repotting recipe.
Buy today: nothing extraCheck this first, then return to the plan
At the next needed watering, wet the root ball slowly and check that it absorbs water rather than letting it run down the sides. Then check wind, hot sun and crowded roots; do not buy vermiculite before these checks.
Buy today: nothing extraCheck this first, then return to the plan
Watch the leaves at different times today. For the sun-loving choices, find a position that actually receives sun; move a sheltered nursery plant gradually. Change the light answer once confirmed.
Buy today: nothing extraCheck this first, then return to the plan
Read whether the original soil already includes fertiliser. Keep a newly arrived or stressed plant on its existing mix; after it resumes growth, follow the actual fertiliser label and its plant-use directions.
Buy today: nothing extraCheck this first, then return to the plan
Check the root zone today: is it still wet, beginning to dry, or hard and compacted? Look under the pot for an outlet. Choose the observed condition above; no new ingredient is needed to complete this check.
Buy today: nothing extraRead the bag before mixing anything
Find the words “potting mix” or “growing medium”, its intended plants, and whether fertiliser is included. A bag marked only compost, perlite or vermiculite is not the complete base soil in this plan.
If it is a complete mix for herbs or vegetables, use its own directions. If the bag is missing or unclear, keep the plant in its original pot and confirm the product before buying more ingredients.
Buy today: nothing extraBasil
Mint
Rosemary
Thyme
Lemongrass
Thai basil
Parsley
Local chilli
Flat-leaf parsley
Dill
Check the position before changing soil
Check the light reaching the leaves. Rosemary, thyme, lemongrass, Thai basil, dill and chilli need a sunny position. Mint and parsley tolerate partial shade. Improving the mix cannot replace suitable light.
For exposed pots: move out of persistent heavy rain when practical and keep outlets clear. More additive is not a substitute for managing rainwater.
For a new arrival: check moisture, drainage and light first. Repot only when the root ball or the current mix gives you a reason; arrival alone is not one.
Already using a mix? Read its ingredients first. Adjust only after observing it in your pot; do not add every material on this page.
Near a window is not always enough sun. Observe the actual light on the plant; changing soil cannot make up for an unsuitable position.
Observe the light during the day before making a soil decision. A bright-looking room can still give a plant very little useful light.
03 / Find your next step
A healthy plant: repot in three steps
- 01
One pot size up
Choose open drainage holes and a pot only slightly larger than the root ball.
- 02
Keep the old soil level
Keep the root ball and fill around it with ready-made mix. Do not bury the stems.
- 03
Water, then drain
Water slowly until it drains from the bottom. Empty the saucer afterwards.
04 / Related products
One clear starting choice
For a healthy herb that needs repotting and new soil, our beginner choice is Suliflor. Already have a suitable mix? Keep it and follow your plan above.
Beginner choice · use directly
Suliflor Premium Universal Substrate – 70L
70L · the description lists herbs and added starter nutrients. Do not automatically add extra feed.
View product & delivery detailsAlready using another mix? See the alternatives
China Potting Mix 26L
26L · contains coco fibre; a general-purpose candidate. Full particle proportions and feeding details are not stated.
View product & delivery details
Premium All-Purpose Potting Mix 80L
80L · already contains peat, perlite and vermiculite. Try the supplied blend before adding more.
View product & delivery detailsWhen do additives need a separate decision?
Extra additives are not part of the beginner plan. A persistent structure problem needs a separate assessment of the existing mix, pot and roots before choosing ingredients or a ratio.
Perlite
Not in the starter shopping list. Do not add it just because the plant is rosemary; first establish that the existing mix needs structural improvement.
View product & delivery details
MixO' Plus Organic Compost 「加樂泥」有機堆肥
For soil improvement, if needed · not a complete potting mix. Check the label and existing nutrients first.
View product & delivery detailsDelivery is extra. Check the product page for handling and delivery terms.
Details & sources
Why does the beginner plan say 100% ready-made mix?
This is a practical Garden Plus starting recommendation based on the current product description, not a tested ideal ratio for every herb. It means use a complete potting medium directly, without buying extra ingredients. Species differences are handled through light, pot choice and moisture checks. RHS percentages for loam-based John Innes mixes are not transferred to these products with unknown proportions.
Can these plants share one pot?
Separate pots make different water needs easier to manage, especially for spreading mint. Rosemary and thyme may share similar needs, but still need enough root space and a suitable position. Buying a set does not mean it belongs in one planter.
Is compost the same as potting mix?
No. A finished potting mix is a growing medium; compost sold as a soil improver is an ingredient. MixO' gives a 1:5 mixing suggestion, but the public description does not specify weight or volume, so we do not calculate a dose here.
Do new herbs need feeding immediately?
Neither perlite nor vermiculite is a fertiliser. If the base mix already contains feed, avoid automatically adding more. Follow the fertiliser label for the plant and its current growth.
What plants and conditions does this cover?
This guide covers the 10 selected Herbs products in ordinary pots, including local chilli. Parsley and flat-leaf parsley are separate shop products with similar soil needs. Unspecified cultivars, hydroponics, seed-starting mixes and precise fertiliser doses need separate advice.
Details & sources
The horticultural sources explain general principles. The advice for exposed rain, pots and ready-made mixes is Garden Plus guidance for checking your own conditions in Hong Kong.
- RHS · Your potting plan ↗
- RHS · Herbs in containers ↗
- RHS · Houseplant growing media ↗
- Illinois Extension · Container drainage ↗
- Maryland Extension · Potting media ↗
- RHS · Rosemary ↗ / Thyme ↗ / Basil ↗ / Mint ↗
- RHS · Lemongrass ↗
- RHS · Parsley ↗
- RHS · Dill ↗
- RHS · Local chilli ↗
Guidance reviewed 10 October 2026. Use observations and the product label; there is no single mix or watering schedule for every pot.