The Minty Plant That Thrives In Pots On Shaded Porches

If you're trying to grow potted plants on a covered porch, you know how tricky it can be to keep them thriving without much direct sunlight. You also know how labor-intensive it is to drag them all off the porch and into the yard for their daily sun bath. Fortunately, there are several varieties of plants you can grow in the shade of a covered patio, including one fragrant option that's especially well-suited for pots on shaded porches: yerba buena.

Yerba buena (Clinopodium douglasii) is an evergreen perennial herb plant that's native to the west coast of America and grows in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 10. These cuties grow about 4 to 7 inches tall and have petite white flowers that bloom in the spring and summer, with green leaves giving off a minty scent. They grow well in containers and shade and are easy to care for, making them one of the best fragrant plants to include in your patio container garden.

To get started, pick up a yerba buena plant and a few basic supplies from your local nursery or garden center. You can also order it online, as well as confirm the specific hardiness zone of your home to make sure it's appropriate for your space. In addition to the plant itself, you'll need a container with drainage holes and a quality potting mix. Other helpful supplies include gardening gloves, a small hand shovel, and a watering can.

One of the easiest plants to grow for beginner gardeners, growing yerba buena really only requires a few key things. The first is a pot with drainage holes paired with well-draining soil. A 4-inch pot is a good size to start, ensuring that it has holes across the bottom so any excess water doesn't get trapped. To make your own soil mixture, combine half garden soil with one-quarter coarse sand or perlite and one-quarter compost.

Weekly waterings are generally sufficient for potted yerba buena. Double check the soil to see if it feels dry to the touch before watering. Pay closer attention if the weather happens to get especially hot, as you might need to water a little more frequently. When watering, use filtered water at a lukewarm temperature and try to avoid the plant leaves. Focus on pouring water onto the soil and allowing it to soak all the way through to the drainage holes.

To really help yerba buena thrive, each spring you can add a thin layer of compost across the top of the soil and cut back just a bit of the plant. When pruning, use clean pruning shears to remove dying stems and tidy up any overgrown areas. Be sure not to cut more than one-third of the plant during the pruning process, and only do this once a season.