There’s nothing quite like snipping fresh herbs from your own garden to add to your dinner. Imagine the amazing smell of fresh basil, the zest of mint in your drink, or a sprinkle of rosemary on your potatoes, all grown by you!
This guide will show you exactly how to plant herbs, even if you think you don’t have a green thumb.
Growing herbs is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to start gardening. They don’t need a lot of space, and you can grow them in pots, on a windowsill, or in a garden bed.
We’ll walk you through everything, step-by-step, from picking your herbs to harvesting them. Let’s start your amazing herb garden adventure!
Getting to Know Your Herbs
Before we start planting, it helps to know that herbs fall into a few different groups. Understanding these groups will help you know how to care for them.
- Annual Herbs: These herbs live for only one growing season. You plant them in the spring, and they grow all summer, but they won’t come back next year. Examples include Basil, Cilantro, and Dill.
- Perennial Herbs: These are the herbs that keep on giving! They come back year after year. Some die back to the ground in winter and regrow in spring. Examples are Mint, Chives, Thyme, and Oregano.
- Biennial Herbs: These herbs have a two-year life cycle. The first year they grow leaves, and the second year they produce flowers and seeds, then they die. Parsley is the most common example.
Knowing if your herb is an annual or a perennial will help you decide where to plant it. You might want to give your perennial herbs a permanent home in your garden.
Picking the Perfect Herbs for You
The best part of starting an herb garden is choosing which herbs to grow! It’s best to start with herbs that you love to eat or smell.
Here’s a quick guide to some of the most popular and easy-to-grow herbs for beginners:
| Herb | Tastes Like/Used For | Easy to Grow? | Sun or Shade? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Sweet, slightly spicy. Perfect for pasta, pizza, and pesto. | Yes, but hates cold! | Loves full sun. |
| Mint | Sweet and refreshing. Great for drinks, salads, and desserts. | Super easy! (Plant it in a pot!) | Likes sun but is okay with some shade. |
| Rosemary | Piney and woody. Amazing with roasted chicken, potatoes, and lamb. | Yes, once it gets started. | Needs full sun. |
| Thyme | Earthy and savory. Goes well in soups, stews, and with meats. | Very easy and tough. | Loves full sun. |
| Oregano | Peppery and bold. A must-have for Italian and Greek food. | Very easy and spreads. | Needs full sun. |
| Chives | Mild onion flavor. Great on baked potatoes, in eggs, and salads. | Super easy! Comes back every year. | Likes sun but tolerates part shade. |
| Parsley | Fresh and grassy. Used in almost everything as a garnish or flavor booster. | Yes, very easy. | Likes sun but appreciates afternoon shade. |
| Cilantro | Bright and citrusy. A key ingredient in salsa and Mexican dishes. | A little tricky, as it bolts (flowers) in heat. | Prefers cooler weather and sun. |
Important Tip for Mint: Mint is an incredibly aggressive grower. Its roots will spread everywhere and take over your garden. It is highly recommended that you plant mint in its own container to keep it contained.
Amazon Must Buy : Culinary Herb Seed Vault – 15 Herb Varieties
When to Plant Your Herbs
Most herbs love warm weather and sunshine.
- The Best Time: The best time to plant most herbs outdoors is in the spring, after all danger of frost has passed. The soil should be starting to warm up.
- Cool-Weather Herbs: Some herbs, like cilantro and parsley, don’t love intense summer heat. You can plant these in early spring and again in late summer for a fall harvest.
- Indoor Herb Gardens: The great news is that you can plant an indoor herb garden any time of the year! As long as you have a sunny window, you can have fresh herbs all year round.
How to Plant Herbs: Seeds vs. Starter Plants
You have two main choices when it comes to planting: starting with seeds or buying small “starter” plants from a nursery.
- Starting with Seeds: This is the cheapest option and gives you more varieties to choose from. It’s very rewarding to watch a plant grow from a tiny seed! Some herbs like cilantro and dill are best grown from seed.
- Buying Starter Plants: This is the easiest and fastest way to start your garden. The plants are already growing and strong. This is a great choice for beginners and for herbs that are slow to grow from seed, like rosemary.
For your first herb garden, a mix of both is a great idea! Try some easy seeds and buy a few starter plants to get things going quickly.
The Perfect Home for Your Herbs: Pots vs. Garden Beds
Where should you plant your herbs? You have lots of options!
Planting Herbs in Pots
This is a perfect choice for beginners, for people with small spaces like a balcony or patio, or for controlling herbs like mint.
- Choose the Right Pot: Make sure any pot you use has drainage holes at the bottom. Herbs hate sitting in soggy soil. A pot that is 8-10 inches across is a good starting size for most herbs.
- Use Potting Mix: Don’t use dirt from your yard! Buy a bag of high-quality potting mix. It’s light and fluffy, which helps with drainage and gives the roots room to grow. Amazon Must Try: Organic Potting Mix for Containers
- Sunlight: Place your pots in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sun per day.
Planting Herbs in a Garden Bed
If you have space in your yard, a dedicated herb garden can be beautiful and productive.
- Location, Location, Location: Pick a spot that gets 6-8 hours of direct sunlight.
- Prepare the Soil: Most herbs aren’t too picky, but they do need soil that drains well. Before planting, mix some compost into the top 6-8 inches of your garden soil. This adds nutrients and helps heavy soil drain better.
Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Your Herbs
Whether you’re using pots or a garden bed, the steps are very similar.
If You’re Planting Starter Plants:
- Dig a Hole: Dig a hole that is slightly larger than the pot the plant came in.
- Gently Remove the Plant: Tip the pot sideways and gently squeeze the sides to loosen the plant. Support the base of the plant with your hand and slide it out. Don’t pull it by the stem!
- Loosen the Roots: If the roots are tightly wound in a circle, gently tease them apart with your fingers. This encourages them to grow out into the new soil.
- Plant It: Place the plant in the hole. The top of its root ball should be level with the surrounding soil.
- Backfill and Water: Fill the hole with soil, gently patting it down. Water the plant well to help settle the soil and reduce transplant shock.
If You’re Planting Seeds:
- Prepare the Soil: Make sure your soil or potting mix is smooth and level.
- Read the Packet: Your seed packet will tell you how deep to plant the seeds. Most herb seeds are tiny and only need to be planted about 1/4 inch deep. Some even just need to be pressed onto the surface of the soil.
- Sow the Seeds: Sprinkle the seeds lightly over the soil. Try to space them out a bit.
- Cover Lightly: Cover the seeds with a very thin layer of soil.
- Water Gently: Use a watering can with a gentle spray or a spray bottle to moisten the soil. You don’t want to wash the seeds away. Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) until the seeds sprout. [Amazon Must Try: Small Indoor Watering Can with Gentle Spout
Caring for Your Growing Herb Garden
You’ve planted your herbs! Now, how do you keep them happy?
Sunlight
As we mentioned, most herbs need at least 6 hours of full sun each day to produce the best flavor. If you are growing indoors, a south-facing window is the best spot. If you don’t have enough natural light, you can use a grow light. Amazon Must Try: Full Spectrum LED Grow Light for Indoor Plants
Watering
This is where many new gardeners get tripped up.
- The Finger Test: The best way to know if your herbs need water is to stick your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. If it feels damp, wait another day.
- Water Deeply, Less Often: It’s better to give your plants a good, deep drink every few days than a little splash every day. This encourages roots to grow deep.
- Pots Dry Out Faster: Herbs in containers will need to be watered more often than those in the ground, especially during hot, sunny weather.
Spacing and Airflow
When you plant, make sure to give your herbs enough room to grow. Good air circulation around the plants helps prevent diseases. Check the seed packet or plant tag for specific spacing recommendations.
Do Herbs Need Fertilizer?
Most herbs don’t need a lot of fertilizer. In fact, too much fertilizer can make them grow lots of leaves with very little flavor. Mixing compost into your soil at the beginning of the season is often enough. If you do fertilize, use a balanced, organic fertilizer at half-strength every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
Harvesting Your Herbs (The Best Part!)
Harvesting your herbs regularly is actually good for them! It encourages them to grow bushier and produce even more leaves.
- The Rule of Thumb: You can start harvesting once the plant is established and has plenty of leaves. Never take more than one-third (1/3) of the plant at one time.
- How to Harvest: Use clean scissors or your fingers to snip off leaves and stems. For leafy herbs like basil and parsley, harvest from the top of the plant. For woody herbs like rosemary and thyme, you can snip off a few inches from the ends of the branches.
- Harvest in the Morning: The oils that give herbs their flavor are strongest in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the sun gets too hot.
Storing Your Bounty
What do you do when you have more herbs than you can use?
- Refrigerate: You can store fresh-cut herbs in the fridge for a few days. Wrap them in a damp paper towel and place them in a plastic bag.
- Freezing: This is a great way to preserve the fresh flavor. Chop the herbs and place them in an ice cube tray. Cover with water or olive oil and freeze. You can pop a cube right into your soups or sauces!
- Drying: This is the classic method. Tie small bundles of herbs together and hang them upside down in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Once they are crispy, crumble the leaves and store them in an airtight jar.
Conclusion
You are now officially an herb gardener! Learning how to plant herbs opens up a world of fresh flavors and fragrances right at your fingertips. It’s a simple, joyful process that connects you to your food and adds beauty to your home, inside and out.
Start small, choose the herbs you love, and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Soon you’ll be wondering how you ever cooked without your own fresh supply of herbs. Happy planting!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the easiest herbs to grow for beginners?
Some of the easiest and most forgiving herbs are mint, chives, oregano, thyme, and parsley. They are tough, productive, and don’t need a lot of special care.
2. How do you start an herb garden from scratch?
Pick a sunny spot (or a sunny window). Decide if you want to use pots or a garden bed. Prepare your soil by using a good potting mix or adding compost to your garden. Buy a few starter plants or some easy-to-grow seeds. Plant them, water them in, and you’ve started!
3. What herbs should not be planted together?
The biggest rule is to keep aggressive spreaders like mint in their own pot. Also, try to group herbs with similar water needs. For example, drought-loving herbs like rosemary and thyme grow well together, while thirsty herbs like basil and parsley are good partners.
4. Can I plant different herbs in the same pot?
Yes, you can! It’s a great way to create a mini herb garden. Just make sure you choose herbs that have similar needs for sun and water. For example, a “Mediterranean pot” with rosemary, thyme, and oregano works great.
5. How much sun do herbs need to grow?
Most common culinary herbs need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to be healthy and flavorful. If you have less sun, herbs like mint and parsley can still do okay.
6. Do herbs grow back after you cut them?
Yes! Harvesting regularly is like giving the plant a haircut and encourages it to grow back even fuller and bushier. Just be sure not to take more than 1/3 of the plant at any one time.
7. How often should I water my herb garden?
There’s no set schedule. It depends on the weather, the size of your pot, and the type of herb. The best way to know is to check the soil. If the top inch is dry, it’s time to water.
