11 Great Herbs That Grow Easily From Seed

If you are just entering the wild world of gardening – or venturing into starting your own seeds for the first time – start with herbs! Some herbs are easier to grow from cuttings rather than seeds, like rosemary and lavender, which is why you don’t see these herb staples on my list. The aim here is to provide you with herbs that are easy to grow from seed, which means: 

• They require minimal care to germinate and grow.
• They have high germination rates.
• They are easy to find.

Herbs are what I call “generous plants”. Since you’re using just the leaves of the herb, they let you harvest from them again and again. In fact, the act of harvesting actually prevents pests, deters disease, and encourages more leaf production.

Note: We are not medical professionals. Always consult with your doctor before consuming herbs for medicinal use, and be sure to confirm correct identification of any herbs you consume.

Basil

	botanical name Ocimum basilicum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4-36”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Basil has several cultivars, with ‘Sweet basil’ being the most commonly found in grocery stores. A favorite for cooking is ‘Genovese basil’. I find it the most flavorful, with a slight peppery taste and stronger aromatics. It also has larger leaves and is incredibly prolific if you keep pinching the flowers and harvesting the leaves. 

If you’re building out your tea garden, Tulsi (Holy) basil is a powerhouse herb grown for centuries in India and used in Ayurvedic practices. It has a more bitter taste than other cultivars of basil, which makes for a great cup of tea! Pollinators also love the flowers and the sweet smell they provide. 

Savory

	botanical name Satureja hortensis/Satureja montana
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12-18”/6-18”
	hardiness zones 2-11/5-10

Savory is underrated in the United States. This versatile herb elevates a myriad of dishes with its delicate flavor. Summer savory is an annual herb that is believed to stimulate digestion while adding a burst of flavor to poultry dishes, as well as stews and soups with a slightly sweet, peppery flavor. 

Winter savory has a more robust, peppery flavor that is beloved in European cuisine, particularly in meat dishes. It is also used dry in sachets, potpourris, and herbal remedies. 

Thyme

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

In the kitchen, English thyme is the most commonly found and imparts a savory and earthy flavor. There are, however, many other thyme cultivars. ‘Lavender’, ‘lemon’, and ‘lime’ thyme are just a few with varying flavor profiles worth growing for the scent alone.

Thyme pairs beautifully with a range of dishes, from roasted meats and vegetables to stews and soups. The aromatic oils are also a popular choice for infusions and herbal teas, offering a soothing and aromatic beverage with potential health benefits. 

How to Grow

Thyme thrives in various climates and is usually an evergreen (in zones 5-9). Seeds can be sown indoors or directly in the garden. Choose a well-draining soil mix and keep it consistently moist until germination. Once established, thyme is drought tolerant.

Cilantro

	botanical name Coriandrum sativum
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 12-24”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Cilantro, also known as coriander leaves, has a fresh, citrusy taste. However, some don’t love the flavor due to genetics: some individuals have a variation in a group of olfactory-receptor genes that make the taste of cilantro perceived as soapy! For the rest of us, fortunately, we get to enjoy this herb in salsas and sprinkled in a variety of dishes.

Parsley

	botanical name Petroselinum crispum
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 9”-12”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Parsley is often relegated to garnish status, but the use of it extends far beyond this role. It has a bright, fresh flavor, and adds crisp notes to salads, soups, and sauces (like chimichurri!). It’s rich in vitamins K,C, and A. Use it in teas and infusions, offering a nutrient-packed beverage. 

Mint

	botanical name Mentha spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 12-24”
	hardiness zones 2-10

Mint is a global favorite for its versatility and delightful flavor profile. From mint-infused teas, marinades, and desserts – you’re going to get a burst of flavor with mint. Beyond the kitchen, mint’s essential oils are useful for their soothing properties, from digestion to headaches. 

There are many cultivars of mint, and they are incredibly fun to work with to achieve different flavor profiles. I love ‘Moroccon’, ‘Strawberry’, and ‘Swiss Ricola’ to use for tea and infusing into simple syrup. Harvesting mint to dry for later use is incredibly easy, and once you start using it, you’ll want it all year long! 

Chives

	botanical name Allium schoenoprasum
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 12-18”
	hardiness zones 4-8

A subtler alternative to their larger Allium relatives, chives offer a milder alternative. There is a ‘Common’ and ‘Garlic’ variety with their own distinct flavors. The milder ‘Common’ cultivar enhances salads, dips, and omelets – though I truly love infusing those beautiful purple blossoms in vinegar for dressings and marinades. 

Dill

	botanical name Anethum graveolens
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 24-60”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Best known as a companion to pickles, dill leaves, and seeds offer a refreshing addition to salads, dressings, and seafood dishes. The word “dill” derives from the Norse word “dilla”, meaning to soothe, reflecting the herb’s historical use in calming digestive ailments and colicky infants.
 

Oregano

	botanical name Origanum vulgare
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 24-36”
	hardiness zones 4-8

Aromatic with a slightly bitter taste, oregano enhances dishes from pizzas and sauces to salads and salsas. You can use oregano both fresh and dried, with the dried form often more potent in flavor.

There are several cultivars – ‘Hot and Spicy’ is one of my favorites to add an extra punch to culinary adventures. Oregano also has potential health benefits due to its antimicrobial properties and being high in antioxidants. 

Sage

	botanical name Salvia officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-24”
	hardiness zones 4-8

Sage is one of those revered herbs with a history rooted in both ancient wisdom and culinary excellence that has long held a place in diverse cultures. Its scientific name, Salvia, derives from the Latin word “salvere,” meaning to save or heal, underscoring its historical association with medicinal properties.

In the kitchen, sage pairs well with rich and savory dishes, adding depth to poultry, pork, and stuffing. 

Calendula

	botanical name Calendula officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-24”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Calendula has vibrant, daisy-like flowers. It’s beloved for its ornamental appeal, as well as its historical use in herbal remedies and culinary applications. Pollinators love it, too. You can find calendula in a handful of colors, from pale yellows to peach to deep orange (‘Resina Calendula’) (and best for herbal use).

Calendula is amazing at repelling asparagus beetles, nematodes, and tomato hornworms. Plant these beauties around your asparagus, beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cucumbers, potatoes, pumpkins, and tomatoes.