Some herbs can grow smaller if they are well trimmed. An example is some small basil, but they do get busht up to a foot. Thyme also can be strimmed as can oregano. How small is small? a 1 inch tall plant is small as is a foot tall plant, if you consider the kind of herb.

I'd like to plant in a planter appox 8 x 8 and not have them get huge.

Elfin thyme stays small. As does minus thyme. There is dwarf lemon balm, but after 2 years or so, would outgrow the pot. Dwarf sage would probably be happy in an 8" pot. Curly chives don't get too large.

Herbalbetty,

Thanks for the info!

ksrogers, thanks for the tip about trimming.