Herb Growing Guide: How to Grow Herbs

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Learn When to Plant and How to Grow Common Herbs!

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Growing herbs is not difficult to do! Our helpful chart will take you from seed-starting to the kitchen table.

Herb Planting Calendar & Growing Guide

Herbs are a great addition to the garden. Not only do they complement your home-grown veggies in the kitchen, they also make for excellent companion plants in the garden itself. 

Click here to open an expanded version of this chart in a new tab: Growing Guide to Herbs

For more planting and growing advice for a specific herb, see our library of Herb Growing Guides!

How to Grow Herbs

Herb

Start Seeds Indoors (Weeks before last spring frost)Start Seeds: Outdoors (Weeks before / after last spring frost)Height / Spread (Inches)

Soil

Light**Growth Type
Basil*6–8Anytime after12–24/12Rich, moist Annual
Borage*NR ‑Anytime after12–36/12Rich, well-drained, dry Annual, biennial
ChervilNR ‑3–4 before12–24/8Rich, moist Annual, biennial
Chives8–103–4 before12–18/18Rich, moist Perennial
Cilantro / CorianderNR ‑Anytime after12–36/6Light Annual
DillNR ‑4–5 before36–48/12Rich Annual
Fennel4–6Anytime after48–80/18Rich Annual
Lavender, English*8–121–2 before18–36/24Moderately fertile, well-drained Perennial
Lavender, FrenchNR ‑NR ‑18–36/24Moderately fertile, well-drained Tender perennial
Lemon Balm*6–102–3 before12–24/18Rich, well-drained Perennial
Lovage*6–82–3 before36–72/36Fertile, sandy Perennial
MintNR ‑NR ‑12–24/18Rich, moist Perennial

Oregano*

6–10Anytime after12–24/18Poor Tender perennial

Parsley*

10–123–4 before18–24/6–8Medium-rich Biennial

Rosemary*

8–10Anytime after48–72/48Not too acid Tender perennial

Sage

6–101–2 before12–48/30Well-drained Perennial

Sorrel

6–102–3 after20–48/12–14Rich, organic Perennial
Summer savory4–6Anytime after4–15/6Medium rich Annual
Sweet cicely6–82–3 after36–72/36Moderately fertile, well-drained Perennial
Tarragon, FrenchNR ‑NR ‑24–36/12Well-drained Perennial
Thyme, common*6–102–3 before2–12/7–12Fertile, well-drained Perennial
*Recommend minimum soil temperature of 70Β°F to germinate
** full sun partial shade
‑ Not Recommended

Click here to open an expanded version of this chart in a new tab: Growing Guide to Herbs

Do you grow your own herbs? Leave your tips in the comments below!

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann