10 Easy to Grow Herbs for Beginners
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In today’s Topic, we’ll be ranking the top ten easy-to-grow herbs for beginners. The dietary and health benefits of homegrown produce are beyond dispute. But not everyone has the space for an outdoor garden or the “green thumb” for growing fussy, high-maintenance plants. That’s why our list focuses on herbs that are compact and easy to grow both indoors and in the garden.
Whether you’re looking to improve your diet, start a new hobby, or just save some extra cash, these are the best herbs to start with.
Here are easy-to-grow herbs for beginners — Anywhere
1. Thyme
A true survivor, thyme can thrive in conditions of constant stress. Being mowed or stepped on does not hinder its growth. The herb can also live through prolonged drought and lack of fertilizer, as well as overwatering and overfeeding. If you don’t have an existing garden, you can still grow thyme outside without ruining your backyard. Since it can adapt to all types of soil, this herb can be sown in your lawn or even along a driveway.
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The only thing that can hinder its growth is a lack of direct sunlight. So if you want to keep the herb garden indoors, position your thyme at the window that gets the most sunlight throughout the day.
2. Chives
The only problem with growing chives (how long do chives last?) is that you’re bound to end up with too much of them by the end of the season. As one of the toughest perennial herbs, chives don’t need to be replanted every year.
Regardless of how cold your winters get, the plant is guaranteed to grow back in the spring, and it keeps producing until mid-fall. The sea of tiny blue thyme flowers that beautify your garden in the summer is just an added bonus.
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3. Parsley
One of the most common kitchen staples also happens to be a very low-maintenance plant. Parsley is also a biennial herb, meaning it can produce two harvests each season. With more antioxidants and antibacterial properties than any other herb, parsley is also one of the healthiest options on our list.
Once they start to grow, there’s not much that can stop the hardy plants. The only issue you might encounter is germinating parsley seeds, which are notoriously delicate. To be safe, start with at least twice as many seeds as you plan to grow.
4. Dill
Though it won’t live through a cold winter, dill (how long does dill last?)is very weather-resistant. You can plant and forget it in late winter or early spring, without having to worry about an unexpected cold-snap. That means there’s no need to start young sprouts indoors or waste time transplanting them as it gets warmer.
Dill prefers rich, well-drained soil with medium moisture levels, though the herb can do well in almost any substrate. The sun-loving plant will start drooping if left in the shade but quickly recovers in direct sunlight.
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5. Basil
Basil (how long does basil last?) is one of the most popular and aromatic herbs on the market. What most people don’t realize is that it’s also tougher than most weeds. In fact, in the tropical parts of Asia, wild basil is considered an agricultural pest! And even in the dry West Texas sun, basil grows incredibly fast.
We recommend that you start pinching off the tops of your basil plants once they grow to about five inches tall. That way, you’ll end up with bushier plants and only a minimal amount of flowers, which are not edible.
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6. French Tarragon
Surprisingly enough, the French tarragon variety is part of the sunflower family of herbs. And just like its flowery distant cousin, tarragon is an extremely hardy plant that speeds through growth stages like a hot knife through butter. You can expect the first harvest to be ready just 3-4 weeks after sowing.
What really made us include this particular variety in the top five are French Tarragon’s legendary medicinal properties. Aside from improved appetite and sleep patterns, the herb has been shown to reduce blood sugar, inflammation and hypertension. So both your taste buds and your heart health will thank you for adding terragon to your diet.
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7. Cilantro
Better known as cilantro (how long does cilantro last?), coriander is another new-age American food staple. It’s also our pick for the best herb to grow indoors, thanks to its low sunlight requirements. Cilantro actually enjoys the shade, making it an ideal windowsill plant. And what can be better than harvesting some fresh leaves right as you need them, in the comfort of your kitchen?
Though they don’t need much attention, cilantro plants really take their time growing, and mature no earlier than 90 days after sowing. We recommend starting seeds at least twice per year for a perpetual supply of fresh cilantro.
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8. Greek Oregano
Unlike other varieties, Greek oregano is known for its earthly, savory flavor. The more traditional, Italian strain is worthwhile for those who prefer a milder taste but a more pungent aroma.
But regardless of your taste preference, the Greek variety is, hands down, the healthiest oregano you can grow anywhere. That’s because its leaves are packed full of phytonutrients - naturally occurring antibacterial agents that help the human body fight infections, inflammation, and disease. Plus, even store-bought oregano is an amazing source of rare vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K, iron, fiber, and magnesium.
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9. Sage
It may not be the easiest plant to grow indoors, but sage certainly deserves its place on our list. While it is mostly hailed for its medicinal properties, sage also happens to be the most versatile culinary herb in the world. No other herb has made its way into so many recipes, from meat entrees to desserts, and even beverages. Even if you’ve never had sage, you probably know the unique flavor from the taste of sausage stuffing, pasta sauce (how long does pasta sauce last?), or herbal tea.
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When it comes to farming, sage is another set-and-forget plant in most climates. The only thing that can hinder its growth is excess moisture. If the weather gets particularly wet in your area, make sure to add plenty of perlite to your soil mix for aeration.
10. Mint
Coming in at number one, it’s the most versatile edible plant you’ll ever grow. Mint is so hardy that the only recommendations for growing it consist of population control. That’s right, once you plant a patch of mint, your goal becomes containing it to a single part of your garden.
This is usually accomplished by a combination of pruning and rooting. If you’re new to gardening, we highly recommend sowing mint in separate, enclosed containers. Otherwise, it may end up invading your entire homestead by September!
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And that’s all for the top ten easy-to-grow herbs for beginners. Which herbs have you had the most luck with? Do you agree with our rankings? Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts in the comment section. And make sure to click the subscribe button to stay tuned for all our future topics on TexasEats!
Want to enjoy your favorite fresh herbs even during the winter? Then grow an indoor winter herb garden! Here's how.
Don’t forget to check out our all in one guide for homesteading, farming and ranching in Texas.
