Edible Plants & Fruit Bushes — Grow Your Own

Edible garden plants transform outdoor spaces into productive kitchen gardens — from culinary herbs like Rosemary, Thyme, and Mint to fruit bushes (Blueberry, Blackcurrant, Raspberry), edible flowers, and perennial vegetables. Browse our edible plant collection with delivery across Ireland and 24 more EU countries.

What Are the Easiest Edible Plants to Grow?

The easiest edible plants for beginners are Mint (Mentha), Chives (Allium schoenoprasum), and Strawberries — all near-indestructible, reliable producers that require minimal skill. Among fruit bushes, Blackcurrant and Gooseberry are the most reliable European producers: frost-hardy, disease-resistant, and productive even in partial shade. For something more unusual, Blueberries require acidic soil (pH 4.5–5.5) but are exceptional in containers filled with ericaceous compost.

Edible Plants by Category

• Culinary herbs — Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Lavender (hardy perennials, grow indefinitely with little care); Basil, Coriander (annual, grow from seed each year)
• Fruit bushes — Blackcurrant, Redcurrant, Gooseberry (all self-fertile, begin fruiting year 1–2, can reach 20+ year lifespan)
• Soft fruits — Strawberry (everbearing varieties produce May–October), Raspberry (summer or autumn varieties), Blueberry (requires acidic soil)
• Edible flowers — Nasturtium, Borage, Calendula, Viola; petals edible in salads; grown as annual companions with vegetables

Growing Edible Plants in Containers

Most culinary herbs, strawberries, and dwarf fruit bushes grow well in containers of 30–40cm diameter with good drainage. Use a loam-based compost (John Innes No. 2 or equivalent) for longevity — peat-free alternatives work well for herbs and annuals. Feed container-grown edibles with a liquid tomato fertiliser (high potassium) every 2 weeks from May to August to maximise fruit and flavour production.

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