Growing herbs at home is one of the easiest and most rewarding hobbies you can try. Whether you’ve got a big backyard or just a sunny windowsill, starting your own herb garden is a simple and budget-friendly way to add fresh flavors, wonderful scents, and even a touch of greenery to your space. Plus, having your own herbs on hand means you’ll always have fresh ingredients for cooking, and the process of gardening itself can be super relaxing and satisfying. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to grow your own herbs, highlight some beginner-friendly picks, and share tips to help you succeed, no matter your gardening experience.
Can I Grow Herbs at Home?
Absolutely, yes! Herbs are some of the easiest and most adaptable plants to grow, making them ideal for beginners. Whether you’ve got a tiny apartment or a spacious garden, herbs can flourish indoors or outdoors with just a bit of attention and care.
Growing Herbs Indoors vs. Outdoors
One of the great things about herbs is how flexible they are to grow! Even if space is tight, you can grow them in containers on windowsills, balconies, or even your kitchen counter. If you’ve got more outdoor space, you can plant them directly in your garden or keep them in pots for convenience and easy access.
What Do Herbs Need to Grow?
Growing herbs is super simple! Here’s all they need to thrive:
- Sunlight: Most herbs are sun lovers and need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day, so find them a bright, sunny spot.
- Water: Keep the soil moist but never waterlogged—herbs don’t like soggy roots, so water just enough to keep them happy.
- Soil: Use well-draining, nutrient-rich soil for healthy growth. Herbs aren’t picky, but good soil makes a big difference.
- Containers: For indoor herbs, choose pots with good drainage to keep their roots dry and healthy. Outdoors, you can plant them directly in the garden or in pots for easier care and access.
Best Herbs to Grow for Beginners
Here are 10 easy-to-grow herbs that are perfect for beginners and versatile enough to use in cooking, teas, or even for adding a decorative touch to your home!
Sage
Sage is a tough, easy-care herb that’s perfect for beginners. It loves basking in full sunlight, so plant it in well-draining, slightly sandy soil for best results.
Growing it indoors? Pop it in a pot with drainage holes and place it on a sunny windowsill. Sage doesn’t need a lot of water (once or twice per week)—just let the soil dry out between waterings. Once it’s settled in, give it a light trim now and then to encourage a bushier shape.
Check out our full guide on Pruning Sage!
It’s a flavorful addition to meats, stuffing, and roasted veggies, and it’ll keep producing for years with minimal effort!
Basil
Basil is a must-have for any beginner gardener, especially if you’re a fan of Italian flavors! It thrives with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily, so pick a sunny spot to plant it. Use moist, well-draining soil, and water regularly—but avoid soggy soil, as basil doesn’t like wet feet.
Growing indoors? Place it near a sunny window or use grow lights if natural light is limited. Prune it often to keep it bushy, and pinch off any flowers to encourage more fragrant leaf growth.
See our full guide on Pruning Basil!
Perfect for pesto, pasta, and fresh salads, basil will quickly become your kitchen favorite!
Mint
Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow, but it can take over quickly, so it’s best to plant it in a pot. It thrives in partial to full sunlight, so make sure it gets a few hours of direct sun each day.
Since it grows fast, you’ll see results pretty quickly! To keep it from taking over, always grow it in a container. Mint loves moist, well-draining soil, so water it regularly to keep it happy.
Fresh mint is perfect for making teas, mojitos, or adding a refreshing touch to both sweet and savory dishes!
Dill
Dill is a fantastic herb to grow, especially if you love pickling or want to add fresh flavor to your meals. It loves soaking up the sun, so pick a sunny spot and plant it in well-draining, slightly acidic soil.
Dill grows quickly, and you’ll start to see sprouts in just a couple of weeks! Be sure to water it regularly, but avoid overwatering, since dill doesn’t like soggy soil. Prune it regularly to keep it from getting too leggy.
Check out our full guide on Pruning Dill!
Dill is perfect for pickles, fish dishes, and adding a fresh kick to salads!
Rosemary
Rosemary is a great choice for beginners who want an easy-care herb with big flavor. It thrives in well-draining, slightly sandy soil and loves full sunlight, so plant it in a sunny spot.
This drought-tolerant herb doesn’t need frequent watering—just let the soil dry out between waterings. If you’re growing it indoors, make sure it gets plenty of light and use a pot with drainage holes.
Check out our guide on Pruning Rosemary!
Rosemary’s bold flavor is perfect for seasoning roasted meats, potatoes, and even making your own oils and breads!
Oregano
Oregano is a tough, beginner-friendly herb that loves full sunlight. It grows best in well-draining soil, and it doesn’t need rich soil, so it’s perfect for most garden beds.
Water it only when the soil feels dry, as oregano is drought-tolerant and doesn’t like being overwatered. You can grow it indoors in a sunny spot or outdoors in the garden. Regular pruning will help it stay bushy and prevent it from getting too woody.
Oregano is fantastic for pasta sauces, pizzas, and Mediterranean dishes!
Cilantro
Cilantro is a fast-growing herb that brings a fresh, zesty flavor to everything from salsas to curries. It loves full sun to partial shade and thrives in slightly acidic, well-draining soil.
Keep the soil moist, but not soggy, and water it regularly, especially during the warmer months. Since cilantro bolts (goes to seed) quickly in the heat, it’s best grown in cooler months, like spring and fall. For the best flavor, harvest the leaves before it starts flowering, and be ready to replace it every few months since it tends to die back.
Check out our Cilantro Pruning Guide for more details!
Cilantro adds a vibrant kick to your favorite dishes!
Lavender
Lavender isn’t just famous for its relaxing fragrance—it’s also an easy herb to grow, especially if you love full sunlight. It prefers slightly alkaline, well-draining soil, so if you’re planting it in a pot, make sure it has good drainage.
Lavender doesn’t like too much water, so water it sparingly and let the soil dry out between waterings. It’s perfect for containers, so if space is limited, a pot on your porch or windowsill works just fine.
Lavender is great for making soothing teas, adding to desserts, or even acting as a natural insect repellent in your garden!
Tarragon
Tarragon may be a bit less common, but it’s still a great choice for beginners, especially if you enjoy French cuisine. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers moderately rich, well-draining soil.
Keep it watered regularly, but make sure the soil doesn’t stay soggy—well-drained areas work best. To encourage fuller growth, prune the tips regularly.
Tarragon adds a unique, licorice-like flavor to your cooking and is fantastic in sauces, dressings, and even eggs!
Marjoram
Marjoram is a close cousin to oregano, but it has a sweeter, milder flavor, making it a great herb for beginners. It loves full sunlight and well-draining soil, and it doesn’t require much care, so it’s easy to grow.
You can plant it in pots or directly in the garden, and it prefers moderately rich soil. Water it when the soil feels dry, but don’t overwater, as marjoram likes slightly dry conditions. Regular pruning helps it stay bushy and prevents it from getting leggy.
Marjoram is perfect for seasoning soups, meats, and stews with its subtle, aromatic flavor!
Quick Tips for Growing Herbs at Home
Growing herbs is a simple and rewarding process, but these tips will help make it even easier and more successful!
1. Choose the Right Containers
When growing herbs indoors, make sure to use pots with good drainage. It’s important to pick a container that’s just the right size—not too big or too small for your plant. For outdoor herbs, pots are still a great choice because they’re easy to move around and manage.
2. Prepare Your Soil
Herbs prefer well-draining, moderately rich soil. You can buy special potting mix for herbs, or make your own by combining equal parts of garden soil, compost, and sand for added drainage.
3. Watering Wisely
Herbs don’t like soggy soil, so make sure your pots have drainage holes. Water your herbs thoroughly, but let the soil dry out a bit between waterings to prevent root rot. Indoor herbs typically need less water than outdoor ones.
4. Maximize Sunlight
Herbs need lots of light to grow strong and flavorful. Try to give them 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. For indoor herbs, a south-facing window works best, or you can use grow lights if your space lacks natural light.
5. Prune Regularly
Pruning helps herbs grow fuller and bushier. For plants like basil and mint, pinch off the top leaves to encourage new growth. Be sure to remove any flowers that appear, as this can cause the plant to stop producing leaves.
6. Keep an Eye on Pests
Though herbs are low-maintenance, pests like aphids or spider mites can sometimes show up. If you notice bugs, treat your plants with a mild insecticidal soap or neem oil to keep them safe and healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the easiest herbs to grow?
The easiest herbs to grow include mint, basil, and rosemary. These herbs are hardy, low-maintenance, and thrive with basic care like sunlight and occasional watering.
Which herb grows the fastest?
Cilantro and dill are among the fastest-growing herbs, often ready for harvest within just a few weeks. Both are ideal for quick results in your herb garden.
What herbs are hardest to grow?
Lavender and cilantro can be trickier to grow for beginners. Lavender needs well-draining, slightly alkaline soil, while cilantro bolts quickly in hot weather, requiring careful timing.
How often should I water my herbs?
Most herbs need watering when the top inch of soil feels dry. Overwatering can harm them, so ensure the soil drains well and adjust based on the herb and environment.
