Herb Growing Guides
44 herbs with complete growing information
Aromatic and medicinal herbs for cooking, teas, and natural remedies. Many thrive in containers.
Basil
Essential culinary herb with fragrant leaves. Many varieties from sweet to Thai.
Mint
Vigorous herb that spreads aggressively. Best grown in containers.
Rosemary
Mediterranean woody herb. Drought-tolerant once established. Fragrant evergreen.
Cilantro
Cool-season herb essential in Mexican, Indian, and Thai cooking. Bolts quickly in heat.
Lavender
Drought-tolerant Mediterranean herb. Fragrant flowers attract pollinators.
Thyme
Hardy Mediterranean herb. Low-growing ground cover with tiny aromatic leaves.
Parsley
Biennial herb -- grows leaves year one, flowers year two. Flat-leaf has more flavor.
Dill
Feathery herb essential for pickles, fish, and Scandinavian cooking.
Fennel
Anise-flavored bulb and fronds. Both the bulb and feathery leaves are edible.
Ginger
Tropical rhizome with spicy, aromatic flavor. Grows well in containers.
Lemongrass
Tropical grass with intense citrus flavor. Essential in Thai and Vietnamese cooking.
Oregano
Mediterranean perennial herb. More flavorful when dried than fresh.
Sage
Woody perennial herb. Silver-green leaves with earthy, savory flavor.
Turmeric
Golden spice rhizome related to ginger. Beautiful foliage.
Cardamom
Expensive tropical spice. Related to ginger.
Cinnamon
Tropical tree -- the bark is harvested as the spice.
Vanilla
Tropical orchid vine. The world's most labor-intensive spice.
Aloe Vera
Medicinal succulent. Gel soothes burns and skin. Easy houseplant.
Bamboo
Fastest-growing plant on earth. Clumping types for privacy screens.
Lemon Balm
Lemony mint-family herb for teas and cooking.
Stevia
Natural sweetener plant -- leaves are 30x sweeter than sugar.
Tarragon
French tarragon has anise flavor essential to French cuisine.
Chive
Hardy perennial allium. Mild onion flavor. Purple pom-pom flowers are edible.
Anise
Licorice-flavored herb used in baking, teas, and liqueurs. Delicate white flower clusters.
Bay Laurel
Evergreen tree producing aromatic bay leaves essential in soups and stews.
Catnip
Mint-family herb that drives cats wild. Also makes a calming tea for humans.
Clover
Nitrogen-fixing cover crop and lawn alternative. Flowers are edible.
Comfrey
Deep-rooted herb used as compost activator and mulch. Powerful nutrient accumulator.
Curry Leaf
Essential herb in South Indian cuisine. Small tree with aromatic compound leaves.
Fenugreek
Herb with maple-scented leaves and seeds. Key spice in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking.
Hops
Vigorous climbing vine essential for brewing beer. Cones have sedative properties.
Hyssop
Ancient medicinal herb with blue flower spikes. Attracts pollinators.
Marjoram
Sweeter, milder cousin of oregano. Essential in Mediterranean cooking.
Pennyroyal
Creeping mint-family herb used as natural insect repellent. Strong minty scent.
Savory
Peppery herb in two forms: summer savory (annual) and winter savory (perennial).
Sorrel
Tangy, lemony perennial green. French sorrel is milder than garden sorrel.
Tea Plant
Camellia sinensis -- source of all true tea (green, black, oolong, white).
Borage
Blue star flowers taste like cucumber. Excellent bee plant and companion.
Lovage
Tall perennial herb with intense celery flavor. One plant feeds a family.
Sweet Woodruff
Shade-loving groundcover with vanilla-scented leaves. Used in May wine.
Wintergreen
Low-growing evergreen with minty leaves and red berries. Classic winter flavor.
Chervil
Delicate French herb with mild anise flavor. One of the four fines herbes.
Epazote
Mexican herb essential for cooking black beans. Strong, pungent flavor.
Perilla
Shiso -- Japanese herb with unique flavor. Green and purple varieties.