I spent my childhood on my grandparent’s farm. My parents were ambitious gardeners, boasting a 5-acre garden filled with almost every vegetable that could be grown from seed. They expanded their acreage with fruit trees and vines. I spent hours working in the gardens and it was no secret I hated it. I promised myself, as an adult, I would never, ever, ever have a garden. No one was more surprised than me when I fell in love with vegetable, herb, and flower gardening. If you are new to herb gardening and don’t know where to start, here are 5 Culinary Herbs (Almost) Anyone Can Grow.
5 Culinary Herbs Almost Anyone Can Grow
Note: I am in Zone 7 and these herbs grow extremely well in my region. I started my garden with plants instead of seeds.
- Mint– If you like a fast-growing plant that is a vigorous spreader, mint is for you. It is considered an invasive plant because it spreads quickly through ‘runners’ (or rhizomes) through the ground. There are many types of mint available, but some of the most common found in garden centers and big-box stores are peppermint, applemint, spearmint, pineapple, and chocolate. Once mint is established, it is virtually carefree. It’s a perennial plant that will return year after year.
Note: Many people prefer to plant mint in a pot for a container plant or to plant it in a larger pot and bury the pot into the ground to keep it from spreading.
How to Grow Mint
Scientific Name: Mentha
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Likes Full Sun but will tolerate Partial Shade
Variegated varieties may require some protection from direct sun in the afternoon.
Likes light, well drained, organically rich soil
Plant in spring after the last frost
Water when the top inch of soil is dry
2. Oregano – is a member of the mint family, which makes it easy to grow. It prefers full sun and light water until it is established. Its runners will spread quickly, making it a great ground cover. You can take cuttings of the root and transplant them to new locations, making it a great choice for those of us on a budget. Oregano is a perennial plant. I’ve had great success with it staying green and adding a bit of color in my garden year-round in a microclimate I’ve designed. This plant also grows well in pots.
How to Grow Oregano
Scientific Name: Origanum vulgare
USDA Hardiness Zones 5-12
Plant in Spring after last frost
Likes full sun, will tolerate part shade
Likes well drained soil
Plant 8 to 10 inches apart
If growing from seed, start indoors 4 weeks before the last frost
3. Chives– Belong to the same family as onions, leeks, and garlic and are a great substitute when you find yourself without one of those ingredients for a recipe. Chives are a fairly small plant, growing to around 12 inches tall, and have a tendency to become clumpy. These clumps can be divided to make new plants for the garden.
One of the great things about chives is it is “drought hardy.” In our area, we usually have a water ban mid-summer. The chives still thrive, plus they’re perennial and come back year after year. Sometimes they grow a little too vigorously if you allow the plants to go to seed. They’re also good for container gardens.
How to Grow Chives
Scientific Name: Allium schoenoprasum
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-10
Plant in early spring 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost
Chives prefer full sun but can live in partial shade
Space 8-12 inches apart in rich, well-drained soil
Deadhead regularly to keep seeds from spreading
Divide clumps in spring for more plants
4. Rosemary– is a “tender perennial.” It can be grown outdoors year-round in zones 7 and above. If you live in a zone lower than 7, it is best to plant Rosemary in a container and bring it in for the winter. Rosemary has two distinct types, “prostrate” and “upright.” Upright varieties grow tall. They make good backdrops for a garden landscape as they can grow to a height of four to six feet. Prostrate varieties spread across the ground.
This is an excellent plant to have in the garden. Many insects don’t like the smell and deer and rabbits don’t like the taste. Use rosemary in cooking with pork dishes or add it to lemonade for a unique flavor.
How to Grow Rosemary
Scientific Name: Salvia rosmarinus
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-10
Rosemary is best grown from plants or cuttings as the seeds have a low germination rate
Plant in spring after the last frost
Plant in light, well-drained soil
Rosemary thrives in full sun but will adapt to light shade
Plant 18 inches to 36 inches apart
5. Lemon Balm– looks a lot like mint because it is a member of the mint family. It has a wonderfully fragrant lemon smell and can be used for cooking in tea, salads, soups, and more. A perennial, it grows to a height of about 1 to 2 feet. To prevent spreading, you can trim the herb in mid-summer. Dry or freeze the leaves or use them immediately. Lemon Balm can be used in container gardens.
How to Grow Lemon Balm
Scientific Name: Melissa Officinalis
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9
Prefers full sun, grow in part shade in drier, warmer, climates
Plant in spring after the last frost
Needs fertile, well-drained soil
Plant 20-24 inches apart
Keep soil moist until plant is established, water when top inch is dry
Important Tip to Remember: Plants grown in containers will lose water and nutrients easier than plants grown in the ground. You’ll need to be sure containers are watered and fertilized regularly.
Have you attempted to grow herbs? What are some of your favorite herbs?
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Mint is always nice to have at home! It’s really awesome to be able to grow it and it can be especially helpful when you’re making drinks during the summer.
My husband wants to grow our own herbs. He loves to cook with fresh ones, I never knew that is can be easy. Thanks for the information!
I have a little herb planter that I keep on the kitchen window sill. It is always within arm’s reach when I am cooking. Meals with fresh herbs are always the best tasting!
I might as well make use of my gardening skills and green thumb and start an herb garden. I would love to have rosemary, thyme, mint, basil and chives! Thanks for the reminder. This will be another weekend project for me.
I am a terrible gardener! I will have to try some of these herbs!
I have been wanting to start a small herb planter but it keeps getting sidelined with other responsibilities. Let me see if I can do this project this weekend. I would love to have fresh herbs ready when I need it.
I love growing my own herbs. I wish I had more time for it!
I’ve never thought about growing my own mint before. I use it a lot too.
I am going to have to try growing some of these! I do not have a green thumb at all.
I love this post. I am becoming more of an herbalist lately so this post is timely!
I love herbs for all of my cooking! And growing them is even better!
I have a tiny garden where I grow peppers and few other things. I never thought about growing herbs. I think I would try mint if I were to grow something.
There is something about fresh mint that reminds me of summer. I know that mint grows wild in so many places. Having fresh oregano for Italian dishes sounds so good.
My grandmother had a huge vegetable garden and it included many herbs too. She used to tell me that these have medicinal value so it should be used often while cooking.
Yes! I would love to grow herbs. I kill just about anything. My 5 year old brought home grass in a cup they grew at school and I even managed to kill that. GRASS.
I have never tried growing my own herbs. I wouldn’t mind having some chives. I do generally do some little tomatoes and they do well when I do. I tried strawberries and they were a flop.
I grow herbs, then never use them in anything. I need to start learning how to go from growth to storage of them to have fresh herbs versus store bought ones!
Growing your own herbs sounds amazing! I will really try these!
I agree because I grow all of these herbs! Rosemary especially is easy to grow, I have a giant bush of it! I love using my own herbs in my cooking!
I grow all of these. The lemon balm is the best because it just gets bigger every year. I’ve since given all my neighbors some so now everyone has it!
This is a great list that I should save. Our backyard is vacant so I should really start growing something.
I didn’t know Oregano was of the mint family. My granddaughter has taken to eating her Basil plant. She used to eat the mint ones.
We almost always cook from scratch, so an herb garden is an absolute must in our home. I will definitely be adding a few of these into our next rotation.
You had me at mint as I love peppermint. The smell is wonderful in a garden or an apartment.
I love to grow herbs as they are the one thing my brown thumb doesn’t kill! I love lemon balm and mint. They smell so good!
We have pots of mint that grow every year. They smell and taste amazing. I love that they come back every year too.
I’ve grown mint before and it is pretty darn hard to kill. I should know – my thumb is practically black.
I am awful at growing anything, I am going to have to give this a try and see if I manage to grow any now we have a proper garden.
I would love to have my own plants at home. Just like this since its useful. I would love to try first the mint and lemon. Hopefully they will last long.
I loved spending time on my grandparent’s farm when I was growing up. My family always had huge gardens and I miss those days. I do grow fresh herbs and I always make sure I plant mint in a container because it will take over my herb garden. Plus it keeps the pests away. Love fresh herbs!
I kill just about everything I try to plant but I am definitely willing to try this. I would love to have some fresh herbs and if there that easy to grow I think I might be able to do it.
I have been thinking about trying to grow some rosemary. I have several friends that grow their own herbs and it doesn’t look that hard.
These are great picks. I actually grow all of these in pots on the patio. They’re pretty and they’re great in almost any recipe.
I love to grow herbs. I actually have what I like to call an “Italian Garden” in the back. I grow everything you need for spaghetti sauce, pizza, and pesto.
My dad always does that, too! We’re Italian, so there is A LOT of homemade sauce in that house.
We grow a huge vegetable garden, have a herb garden, fruit trees and berry bushes. Watch out for the chives and oregano they are invasive and will take over a space.
I would LOVE to grow my own herbs. I have an extremely black thumb, but I would love to give it another go!