9 Herbs to Winter Sow in February

A strong and thriving herb garden can make all the difference in the kitchen and outdoors. We all know the wonderful way these plants enhance our culinary experiences. Many of them also repel nuisance insects, making the garden a nicer place to work. 

If you’re starting an herb garden from seeds this year, you’ll be delighted to know that many of them take well to winter sowing around January or February. Winter sowing involves planting seeds outdoors, in containers, during the winter months. It has some great benefits, such as stronger, more resilient plants, and it offers money and time savings as well. 

In most places, February still offers time to start winter sowing. Your seedlings will get the earliest possible start, and you can skip the hardening-off process that seedlings started indoors require. Here are some delicious herbs that you can winter sow in February for flavorful uses all year!

Oregano

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True Greek Oregano Seeds

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Sage

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Broadleaf Sage Seeds

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Dill

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Tetra Dill Seeds

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Oregano ‘True Greek’

	botanical name Origanum vulgare ‘True Greek’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 18”-24”
	hardiness zones 4-8

Oregano has a presence in many of the world’s most popular cuisines. In fact, if you’re a fan of Mediterranean food of all types, this herb is a vital addition to your garden. Oregano is tough and adapts to cold, hot, and dry weather well. 

The aromatic leaves are excellent for drying, as the aromatic leaves have more flavor this way, and tolerate heat better. ‘True Greek’ is the gold standard for potent, spicy oregano zest. It grows well in containers and has an attractive cascading or trailing habit. You can also grow it in hanging planters.

Sage ‘Broadleaf’

	botanical name Salvia officinalis ‘Broadleaf’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 18”-36”
	hardiness zones 4-8

Another bold Mediterranean herb, sage, is a good digestive aid for foods with high fat content. Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t taste quite the same without plenty of this herb around. It’s also a beautiful plant with softly flocked, silvery green foliage. 

Sage flowers in blue-violet, which is the favorite color of bees. They see ultraviolet light, so these shades stand out to them as ample and safe food sources. The flowers are edible and make a pretty garnish. Sage is drought-tolerant and grows well in containers. 

Dill ‘Tetra’

	botanical name Anethum graveolens ‘Tetra’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 30”-36”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Delicate and fragrant, dill is a necessity for anyone planning on making pickles. It’s a sturdy plant in spite of its lacy appearance. Dill stands up to heat and drought, and it’s frost-tolerant, too. My favorite thing about this herb is that it’s a host plant for swallowtail butterflies. It’s a great addition to the pollinator garden.

‘Tetra’ is a shrubby variety that is slow to bolt, so it’s good for places with hot summers. Dill has a history of use in medicinal practices, but it’s mostly grown as a culinary herb. If you let them flower, the blooms are showy and yellow, made up of sprays of tiny yellow flowers. 

Parsley ‘Moss Curled’

	botanical name Petroselinum crispum ‘Moss Curled’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 10”-12”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Parsley is another herb that tends to show up in a lot of recipes from different regions. Its initial origin is unknown, but it’s cultivated in many parts of the world today. Parsley is a biennial but is usually grown as an annual. The leaves are tastiest in their first year. In the second year, they flower, and the flavor takes a bitter turn. 

Fortunately, parsley is cold tolerant, so it won’t die at the first sign of a frost. This herb is well-suited to “waking up” with the seasons after winter sowing in February. It’s also highly nutritious. ‘Moss Curled’ is especially cold tolerant. You can grow this plant as an ornamental, as it has attractive curling leaves. 

Cilantro ‘Long Standing Santo’

	botanical name Coriandrum sativum ‘Long Standing Santo’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12”-24”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Cilantro is a unique plant—one you either love or hate the flavor of. If you love it, it’s a great one to add to your garden. It’s easy to grow and prefers cool temperatures. In hot climates, give this plant some afternoon shade to keep it perky. 

‘Long Standing Santo’ is great for those warmer climates as it is slower to bolt in hot weather. It also has excellent flavor, and if it gets too warm, it will grow fine indoors. Keep your lid on your winter sowing container when you sow this one.

Common Mint

	botanical name Mentha sp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 18”
	hardiness zones 5-9

Mint is a classic, and has incredible versatility in its uses. The oils in the aromatic leaves are unappealing to mosquitoes and release a delightful fragrance when crushed. Mint can be an aggressive spreader. Planting it in a raised bed can help solve that issue. 

There are many types of mint you can grow. From lemon to chocolate, there are a number of other flavors that show up in this family. It includes catnip, too, so you can winter sow that for your kitties, and they will enjoy being in the garden with you.

Salvia ‘Blue Victory’

	botanical name Salvia farinacea ‘Blue Victory’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 20”
	hardiness zones 8-10

Salvia isn’t necessarily the best herb for eating, but it’s a wonderful ornamental. It’s also a major pollinator attractant. Plant this near your vegetable garden for beautiful flowers and foliage. It will bring pollinators from near and far to improve your yield. 

‘Blue Victoria’ is a compact variety that produces beautiful blue-violet flower spikes. It’s lovely in the garden and looks great in dried arrangements. Once established, it has great drought and heat tolerance. Warmth is required when you sow your seeds, so ensure your winter sowing greenhouse is sealed tightly until the frost subsides.

Lavender ‘Munstead’

	botanical name Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12”-18”
	hardiness zones 5-9

Another herb that often doubles as an ornamental, lavender is a wonderful plant to winter sow. The oils from lavender flowers and foliage have an incredible variety of uses. While it’s not always considered an herb to cook with, it’s wonderful in baked goods. It has a soothing and calming fragrance that makes it a pleasure to plant near an outdoor living space.

Lavender likes neglect. Poor soil, no fertilizer, and minimal water are the preferred conditions. It’s also a great addition to the cutting garden. Most insects don’t like the way it smells, so lavender can repel pests. Pollinators adore it, though, and it is a healthy supplement in many of their diets. ‘Munstead’ is an English lavender that is good for cooking with. It’s a compact heirloom with an excellent reputation. 

English Thyme

	botanical name Thymus vulgaris
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”-12”
	hardiness zones 5-9

Thyme is a favorite of mine. Its delicate leaves and strong, earthy flavor have wonderful uses in the kitchen. I find it pairs excellently with honey-glazed carrots. It’s also a pretty plant with small edible flowers that attract pollinators. Thyme is evergreen in Zones 5-9, so you can harvest and enjoy it year-round.