Cultivating culinary and medicinal herbs for kitchen and wellness.
Herb Categories
By Use
| Category | Examples | Uses |
|---|
| Culinary | Basil, thyme, rosemary | Cooking, flavoring |
| Medicinal | Echinacea, chamomile | Teas, remedies |
| Aromatic | Lavender, mint | Fragrance, potpourri |
| Ornamental | Purple basil, variegated sage | Aesthetic |
By Life Cycle
| Type | Duration | Examples |
|---|
| Annual | One season | Basil, cilantro, dill |
| Biennial | Two seasons | Parsley, caraway |
| Perennial | Many years | Rosemary, thyme, mint |
By Growing Conditions
| Preference | Examples | Notes |
|---|
| Full sun, dry | Rosemary, thyme, oregano | Mediterranean |
| Partial shade, moist | Mint, parsley, chives | More water tolerant |
| Full sun, moderate water | Basil, dill, cilantro | Standard garden conditions |
Popular Culinary Herbs
Basil
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Type | Annual, warm season |
| Sun | Full sun (6+ hours) |
| Water | Regular, don't let dry out |
| Spacing | 12-18 inches |
| Harvest | Pinch leaves regularly, before flowering |
Varieties:
| Variety | Flavor Profile |
|---|
| Genovese | Classic Italian, sweet |
| Thai | Anise-like, Asian cuisine |
| Purple | Mild, decorative |
| Lemon | Citrus notes |
| Greek | Small leaves, intense |
Tips:
- Pinch flower buds to prolong harvest
- Frost sensitive - first to go in fall
- Companion plant with tomatoes
- Don't refrigerate fresh leaves
Cilantro/Coriander
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Type | Annual, cool season |
| Sun | Full sun to partial shade |
| Water | Regular |
| Spacing | 6-8 inches |
| Harvest | Leaves (cilantro) or seeds (coriander) |
Tips:
- Bolts quickly in heat
- Succession plant every 2-3 weeks
- Let some plants go to seed for coriander
- Self-seeds readily
Mint
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | Partial shade to full sun |
| Water | Regular, likes moisture |
| Spacing | 12-24 inches |
| Harvest | Cut stems as needed |
Varieties:
| Variety | Best For |
|---|
| Spearmint | General cooking, tea |
| Peppermint | Desserts, tea |
| Chocolate mint | Desserts |
| Apple mint | Mild, fruity |
Warning: Mint is invasive. Grow in containers or isolated beds.
Rosemary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Type | Perennial (zone 7+), annual elsewhere |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Low, drought tolerant |
| Spacing | 24-36 inches |
| Harvest | Snip sprigs as needed |
Tips:
- Needs excellent drainage
- Bring indoors in cold climates
- Woody stems increase with age
- Can be grown as topiary
Thyme
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Low, drought tolerant |
| Spacing | 12-18 inches |
| Harvest | Snip sprigs, before flowering |
Varieties:
| Variety | Use |
|---|
| Common/English | All-purpose cooking |
| Lemon | Fish, chicken, tea |
| Creeping | Ground cover, ornamental |
Oregano
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Low to moderate |
| Spacing | 12-18 inches |
| Harvest | Before flowering for best flavor |
Tips:
- Greek oregano has best flavor
- Spreads readily
- Dry for storage - intensifies flavor
- Cut back after flowering
Parsley
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Type | Biennial (usually grown as annual) |
| Sun | Full sun to partial shade |
| Water | Regular |
| Spacing | 8-12 inches |
| Harvest | Outer stems first |
Types:
| Type | Characteristics |
|---|
| Flat-leaf (Italian) | Stronger flavor, cooking |
| Curly | Milder, garnish |
Chives
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun to partial shade |
| Water | Regular |
| Spacing | 8-12 inches |
| Harvest | Cut leaves to 2" above soil |
Tips:
- Flowers are edible
- Divide every few years
- Regrows after cutting
- Mild onion flavor
Dill
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Type | Annual |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Regular |
| Spacing | 8-12 inches |
| Harvest | Leaves anytime, seeds when brown |
Tips:
- Bolts in heat
- Attracts beneficial insects
- Self-seeds readily
- Use fresh (loses flavor dried)
Sage
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Water | Low to moderate |
| Spacing | 18-24 inches |
| Harvest | Before flowering |
Tips:
- Gets woody with age
- Replace every 4-5 years
- Several ornamental varieties
- Pair with poultry and pork
Growing Herbs
Container Growing
| Advantage | Consideration |
|---|
| Control over soil | Need more watering |
| Portable | Must fertilize regularly |
| Near kitchen | Adequate drainage essential |
| Control spreading | Size limits growth |
Container sizes:
| Herb Type | Minimum Size |
|---|
| Basil | 8" pot |
| Mint | 12" pot |
| Rosemary | 12"+ pot |
| Small herbs (thyme) | 6" pot |
| Mixed herbs | 18"+ pot or window box |
Indoor Growing
| Requirement | Details |
|---|
| Light | South window or grow lights (12-16 hours) |
| Temperature | 60-70°F |
| Humidity | Average, mist if dry |
| Water | When top inch dry |
| Drainage | Essential |
Best for indoors:
- Chives
- Parsley
- Mint
- Basil (with enough light)
Companion Planting
Many companion-planting claims are traditional garden lore with limited scientific backing. Dill and other umbellifers genuinely attract beneficial insects (documented); aromatic herbs masking pest host-finding cues has some experimental support, but "improves flavor" claims are largely anecdotal.
| Herb | Good Companions | Claimed Benefits |
|---|
| Basil | Tomatoes, peppers | May deter some pests (mixed evidence) |
| Dill | Cabbage, lettuce | Attracts beneficial insects (well-supported) |
| Oregano | All vegetables | General pest deterrent (anecdotal) |
| Rosemary | Cabbage, beans | Claimed to repel cabbage moth (weak evidence) |
| Thyme | Cabbage, tomatoes | Claimed to repel cabbage worm (weak evidence) |
| Sage | Cabbage, carrots | Claimed to repel cabbage moth, carrot fly (anecdotal) |
Harvesting and Preserving
Harvesting Guidelines
| Principle | Details |
|---|
| Morning harvest | After dew, before heat |
| Before flowering | Best flavor |
| Regular harvesting | Promotes bushier growth |
| Never take more than 1/3 | Plant needs to recover |
| Sharp cuts | Use scissors or pruners |
Preservation Methods
Drying
Best for: Oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, dill, mint
| Method | Instructions |
|---|
| Air drying | Bundle stems, hang upside down in dry area |
| Oven drying | Lowest setting, door cracked, 1-4 hours |
| Dehydrator | 95-115°F, 2-4 hours |
Storage: Crumble leaves, store in airtight containers in dark place.
Freezing
Best for: Basil, cilantro, parsley, chives, dill
| Method | Instructions |
|---|
| Ice cube trays | Chop herbs, fill tray with water or olive oil |
| Flash freeze | Spread on tray, freeze, then bag |
| Herb paste | Blend with oil, freeze in portions |
Herb-Infused Oil
| Step | Instructions |
|---|
| 1. Dry herbs slightly | Reduces moisture (botulism risk) |
| 2. Pack in jar | Loosely fill |
| 3. Cover with oil | Olive or neutral oil |
| 4. Refrigerate | Use within 2 weeks |
Safety note: Garlic and fresh herb oils must be refrigerated and used quickly.
Herb Butter
| Step | Instructions |
|---|
| 1. Soften butter | Room temperature |
| 2. Mix in herbs | 1/4 cup herbs per 1/2 cup butter |
| 3. Roll in parchment | Log shape |
| 4. Refrigerate or freeze | Slice as needed |
Medicinal Herbs
Common Medicinal Herbs
| Herb | Traditional Use | Preparation |
|---|
| Chamomile | Sleep, digestion, calming | Tea |
| Echinacea | Immune support | Tea, tincture |
| Lavender | Relaxation, skin | Sachets, oil |
| Peppermint | Digestion, headache | Tea |
| Lemon balm | Anxiety, sleep | Tea |
| Calendula | Skin healing | Salve, oil |
Making Herbal Tea
| Step | Instructions |
|---|
| 1. Harvest or purchase | Fresh or dried |
| 2. Ratio | 1 tbsp fresh or 1 tsp dried per cup |
| 3. Steep | 5-10 minutes, covered |
| 4. Strain | Remove plant material |
| 5. Sweeten if desired | Honey complements |
Disclaimer: Consult healthcare provider before using herbs medicinally.
Common Herb Problems
Pests
| Pest | Signs | Control |
|---|
| Aphids | Clusters on new growth | Water spray, neem |
| Spider mites | Webbing, stippled leaves | Increase humidity, spray |
| Whiteflies | Small white insects | Yellow sticky traps |
Diseases
| Disease | Signs | Prevention |
|---|
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Air circulation, don't overhead water |
| Root rot | Wilting, mushy stems | Don't overwater, good drainage |
| Downy mildew | Yellow patches, fuzzy undersides | Air circulation, remove affected leaves |
Environmental Issues
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|
| Leggy growth | Not enough light | More sun or grow lights |
| Yellowing leaves | Overwatering or poor drainage | Reduce water, improve drainage |
| Bolting | Heat or stress | Succession plant, provide shade |
| Bitter flavor | Heat, water stress | Harvest before stress, consistent care |
Herb Garden Designs
Kitchen Herb Garden
Essential culinary herbs in one convenient spot:
- Basil
- Parsley
- Chives
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Sage
Tea Garden
| For Relaxation | For Digestion | For Immune Support |
|---|
| Chamomile | Peppermint | Echinacea |
| Lavender | Fennel | Elderberry |
| Lemon balm | Ginger | Thyme |
Pizza Garden
Herbs for Italian cooking:
- Basil (multiple varieties)
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Parsley
Key Takeaways
- Start with easy herbs - Basil, mint, chives are forgiving
- Mediterranean herbs need drainage - Rosemary, thyme, oregano
- Harvest regularly - Promotes bushier growth
- Contain invasive herbs - Mint especially
- Match conditions to herb - Sun and water needs vary
- Preserve the harvest - Dry, freeze, or infuse
- Pinch flowers - Extends leaf harvest