Any well nutritioned soil is good. 

The key: lighting.  HPS (High pressure Sodium) lamps are all around better than Metal Halide.  The metal halide enhances green stage growth due to UV radiation, the HPS enhances bud growth/flowering due to Infrared.  Ideally, use MH for green,  18 hours daily, then switch to HPS for flowering 12 light, 12 total dark.   If you don't wanna mess with 2 lamp types, the HPS will basically do the whole job.  Wattage for a small spice garden, I'd recommend 150-200 Watts; more wattage for bigger patches. 

Enjoy your spice garden.  I think freshly grown herbs add a ton of flavor to most food and salads...don't you?

Geeny Weeny