You bought a sweet basil or curry leaf plant from the nursery. You watered it. You talked to it. You gave it sunlight.
But two weeks later… it’s wilting, yellowing, and throwing you attitude.
Sound familiar?
You’re not alone — and the secret to healthy, bushy herbs might just be in the soil. Most Malaysian nurseries use a generic, heavy mix that chokes herbs over time. And many potting soils from supermarkets are too dense or waterlogged.
In this guide, we’ll share herb-specific potting mix tips for Malaysia’s tropical climate, plus easy DIY recipes using local materials.
Let’s save those herbs, sekali and for all! 🌿✨
🪴 Why Potting Mix Matters for Herbs
Herbs like:
- Looser soil
- Good drainage
- Mild nutrients
- Plenty of airflow for roots
Unlike fruiting plants (which love fertilizer), herbs are more sensitive. The wrong soil = root rot, stunted growth, or flavourless leaves.
💡 Reminder: Potting mix is NOT the same as topsoil! Potting mix is designed for container gardening — lightweight, airy, and moisture-balanced.
🧪 HARVEST’s General Herb Soil Recipe (Works for Most Herbs)
Here’s our go-to mix for small to medium-sized herb pots:
| Ingredient | Ratio | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Garden loam / black soil | 2 parts | Base nutrient content, structure |
| Cocopeat or rice husk | 1 part | Lightens mix, holds moisture |
| Perlite / sand | 1 part | Improves drainage, prevents rot |
| Compost (mature) | ½ part | Feeds the soil slowly |
| Optional: Crushed eggshells or EM | small pinch | For trace minerals & pH balance |
Mix thoroughly and store in a covered bin or burlap sack to keep it fresh.
🌿 Potting Mix Variations by Herb
Not all herbs are the same. Here’s how to tweak your mix:
1. Basil, Thai Basil, Holy Basil (Tulsi)
- Loves moist, well-drained soil
- Add extra cocopeat
- Avoid over-fertilizing (it weakens the aroma)
2. Mint
- Grows like a weed — needs slightly heavier mix
- Add more compost or cow dung
- Keep in partial shade, moist at all times
3. Coriander (Ketumbar)
- Hates waterlogging
- Needs fine, loose sandy mix
- Add a teaspoon of wood ash for flavour boost!
4. Rosemary / Thyme / Oregano
- Mediterranean herbs = prefer drier mix
- Add more sand/perlite (up to 50%!)
- Needs full sun, no soggy feet
5. Curry Leaf
- Add compost + top with cow dung monthly
- Prefers larger pots with deep soil profile
- Use slightly heavier mix with 2 parts loam, 1 part sand, 1 part compost
🧤 How to Sterilise Garden Soil (If You’re Reusing)
To avoid pests, fungus, or weeds, always sterilise old potting soil:
- Sun method: Leave soil under hot sun for 2–3 days in a black bag
- Oven method: Bake at 80°C for 30 mins (small batches)
- Water flush: Soak and drain with diluted neem or EM solution
Bonus: Add a few drops of molasses or banana peel enzyme after sterilizing to reintroduce good microbes.
🌱 Extra Tips to Boost Herb Growth
- Don’t compact the soil when potting. Keep it airy.
- Add mulch (dried grass, leaves, rice husk) to retain moisture.
- Feed with compost tea or diluted EM every 2–3 weeks.
- Rotate your pots weekly to balance sun exposure.
- Repot every 4–6 months if roots outgrow space.
📸 Use breathable clay pots or fabric grow bags if possible — herbs love airflow!
📦 Where to Get Potting Mix Supplies in Malaysia?
- Cocopeat / Rice husk: Shopee, Lazada, or any nursery
- Perlite / Vermiculite: Online gardening stores
- Compost: DIY, or ask your local kebun komuniti
- Black soil / Red soil: Check our HARVEST article: “Black Soil vs Red Soil: What’s the Difference?”
You can also visit SS2, Sungai Buloh, or Klang nursery rows for bulk packs at better prices.
📸 Share Your Mix & Match
Tried your own DIY potting mix? Show us your herb babies and your soil blend setup!
Tag @projectharvest.my on Instagram and we might feature your garden in our stories!
Hashtags:#ProjectHarvestMY #HerbGardenMY #PottingMixMalaysia #TanamHerbaSendiri
🌿 Final Thoughts: The Soil Makes the Herb
With the right soil base, even a beginner can grow restaurant-worthy herbs at home. Don’t settle for mystery mixes from plastic bags — learn your ingredients and tweak them for Malaysia’s unique growing conditions.
Because when you control the soil, you control the harvest. 🌿💚