Growing Guides for Herbs
If you enjoy the idea of growing your own food starting a herb garden can be very rewarding place to start. Herbs are low-maintenance plants that are resilient and require little space.
Growing your own herbs and spices isn’t just rewarding—it ensures you’re cooking with the freshest, most flavorful ingredients. Growing herbs carries a number of important benefits. From better-tasting food to lower grocery costs, starting a herb garden will make a big difference in how your family eats and how much you spend.
EXPLORE HERBS
Culinary Herbs
Growing culinary herbs is relatively easy and can be done in gardens, pots, or even indoors on a windowsill. With minimal care, you can enjoy a fresh supply of herbs like basil, rosemary, and mint right at home.
Basil | Parsley | Mint |
Sage | Chervil | Rosemary |
Cilantro | Thyme | Oregano |
Dill | Marjoram | Lavender |
Medicinal Herbs
Medicinal herbs not only add beauty and fragrance to the garden but also provide natural remedies for various ailments, making them both practical and ornamental. Regular care ensures a steady supply of fresh, potent herbs for use in teas, tinctures, and other treatments.
Rhubarb | Chamomile | Echinacea |
Valerian | Goldenseal | Calendula |
Milk thistle | Ashwagandha | Comfrey |
Yarrow | Ginkgo | Ginseng |
Specialty Herbs
Specialty herbs offer unique flavors and medicinal benefits, making them a valuable addition to any culinary or herbal remedy collection. These herbs thrive in well-drained soil and sunny conditions, often attracting pollinators like bees, which contribute to a healthy garden ecosystem.
Aloe Vera | Sea Beans | Sorrel |
Tarragon | Bay Leaf | Lovage |
Borage | Lemongrass | Flax |
Lemon Verbena | Marshmallow | Chives |
Looking for a specific herb?
Growing Herbs Questions & Answers
Growing herbs indoors can be a convenient way to have fresh herbs year-round, even if you don’t have outdoor garden space. Oregano, basil, mint, chives, sage, rosemary, and thyme are the easiest herbs to grow indoors.
Several herbs can grow well together. For instance, lemon verbena, dill and cilantro make a great combination and have the benefit of attracting beneficial insects that prey on pests. Parsley in particular is known to pair nicely with a number of herbs such as basil, lavender, lemon balm, rosemary and thyme.
The easiest herbs to grow for beginners are perennial herbs – these include mint, rosemary, thyme, chives and oregano.
To grow herbs in pots, start by choosing herbs that thrive in containers like basil, parsley, oregano, mint, and thyme. Select pots that are at least 6-8 inches deep and fill them with well-draining potting mix. Place pots in a sunny location with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. Water herbs when the top inch of soil feels dry. Fertilize herbs with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
A well-draining soil mix is essential to growing herbs. Most herbs thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Herbs won’t thrive where shade is very dense. However, some herbs will grow in semi-shade, which is roughly three to six hours per day of direct sun. For partial shade, consider herbs like chives, cilantro, parsley, and mint. For slightly denser shade, lemon balm and tarragon are excellent choices.
In warmer climates, many herbs can be grown year-round outdoors. In colder climates, you can grow herbs indoors during the winter or bring potted herbs inside before the first frost. Consider growing perennial herbs like rosemary or thyme, which can survive year after year with proper care.
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