10 Easy-to-Grow Herbs for a Thriving Kitchen Garden
If you dream of starting a kitchen garden, start with these herbs first!
All the herbs on this list are low-maintenance, versatile, aromatic, and beautiful.
You don’t have to grow all ten, but picking up a handful, or even three, will significantly benefit your recipes!
And if you’re new to gardening – don’t be intimated by herbs. They’re some of the easiest plants to grow. They’re also some of the most rewarding and versatile.
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You don’t need a ton of space, and you don’t have to start from seed, either. Herbs transplant pretty well.
Starting from seed, however, is much cheaper (this post on seed-starting will show you how).
Other alternatives include buying small potted herbs from the garden nursery; just make sure they say “organic.”
My favorite herbs to grow at home are basil, dill, rosemary, mint, parsley, and thyme.
To grow a thriving herb garden, you’ll need access to ample sunlight, a good organic soil mix, a few containers, and water.
Many people prefer to grow herbs in small spaces like a patio, balcony, or windowsill near their kitchen for easy access. You don’t need a large space, and that’s the beauty of an herb garden!
You can even grow herbs in water all year long on your kitchen counter. (Head to my post about how to grow herbs in water to see how.)
Now, let’s jump into this list of the easiest herbs for gardening beginners.
Easy-to-Grow Herbs for a Culinary Herb Garden
1. Basil
Basil is one of the most beloved herbs around and it’s not hard to see why: it’s delicious and aromatic, plus great in a variety of dishes. Basil plants need LOTS of sunlight and moist, well-draining soil.
Why Grow It?
Basil is a staple in the kitchen, especially for Italian and Mediterranean dishes. It grows quickly and thrives in containers. It’s super forgiving and low-maintenance, so it’s the a perfect herb for beginners.
Growing Tips:
✔️ Use a pot at least 6 inches deep with drainage holes.
✔️ Keep in full sun (6-8 hours daily).
✔️ Pinch off flowers to encourage leafy growth and prevent bitter flavor.
✔️ Water regularly but avoid soggy soil.
🔗 Best Organic Basil Seeds
🔗 Herb Planter with Scissors
2. Cilantro
Cilantro is the perfect topping to tacos, tostadas, Mexican Corn Salad, and guacamole! Like basil, it’s best to throw in cilantro at the very end of the cooking cycle.
Cilantro prefers a humid environment and needs about 6 hours of sunlight a day, though it doesn’t like very high temperatures.
Head to this post for an in-depth guide on how to grow cilantro in a pot!
Why Grow It?
This fast grower grows in mild weather while other sun-loving herbs
Growing Tips:
✔️ Use a container at least 8 inches deep.
✔️ Place in full sun but provide afternoon shade in hot climates.
✔️ Sow seeds directly in soil instead of transplanting.
✔️ Harvest leaves frequently to prevent bolting.
🔗 Organic Cilantro Seeds
🔗 Cilantro Microgreens Seeds
3. Chives
Chives are an excellent herb for beginner gardeners. Chives need 6 hours of sunlight and do well indoors and in containers near a bright windowsill. Water frequently and make sure the soil is well-drained!
Chives will grow to about 12 inches tall and spread about a foot wide.
Why Grow It?
Chives add a mild onion flavor to dishes and are one of the easiest herbs to grow. They are also perennial, meaning they come back year after year!
Growing Tips:
✔️ Grow in a container at least 6 inches deep.
✔️ Place in full sun or partial shade.
✔️ Keep soil moist but not soggy.
✔️ Trim leaves frequently to encourage new growth.
🔗 Best Organic Chive Seeds
🔗 Indoor Herb Garden Growing Kit
4. Mint
Mint is probably the easiest-to-grow herb on this list. There are several different types of mint, so have fun choosing one! You’ll likely figure out your favorites as you try more and more.
Mint plants can spread out FAST when planted in the ground, and the herb is known for its invasiveness, so it’s best to plant mind seeds in their own container.
It’s best to keep mint in pots to keep it from spreading.
Why Grow It?
Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow, making it perfect for beginners! It’s great for teas, cocktails, desserts, and fresh summer dishes. Plus, it has a refreshing aroma and can even help repel pests.
Growing Tips:
✔️ Use a container at least 8 inches deep—mint spreads aggressively in the ground.
✔️ Place in full sun to partial shade (at least 4-6 hours of light).
✔️ Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
✔️ Trim regularly to prevent legginess and promote bushy growth.
🔗 Organic Spearmint Seeds
🔗 Organic Peppermint Seeds
5. Oregano
Oregano is not only flavorful but also medicinal. It thrives in a warm climate and is a perennial herb, so it will continue to grow year after year.
Water the plant when the soil is dry to the touch, and make sure the soil is well-drained. It will grow to about 2 feet tall and spread like a bush.
Why Grow It?
Oregano is a flavorful and fragrant herb used in many different cuisines, including Mexican, Italian, and Greek. Once established, it’s incredibly easy to grow, very productive and resilient, and even drought-tolerant.
Growing Tips:
✔️ Use a pot at least 8 inches deep with good drainage.
✔️ Place in full sun and let the soil dry between waterings.
✔️ Trim often to keep it from growing leggy.
✔️ Dry the leaves to make your own dried oregano!
🔗 Best Organic Greek Oregano Seeds
🔗 Organic Italian Oregano Seeds
6. Parlsey
This easy-to-grow herb is pretty drought-resistant, but they’ll thrive in moist soil and plenty of sunshine.
Why Grow It?
Parsley is a versatile herb used in soups, salads, and garnishes. It’s beginner-friendly and grows well in pots.
Growing Tips:
✔️ Use a container at least 8 inches deep.
✔️ Place in full sun or partial shade.
✔️ Keep soil consistently moist.
✔️ Harvest leaves regularly to encourage growth.
🔗 Best Parsley Seeds & Plants
🔗 Curly Parsley Seeds
7. Rosemary
No herb garden is complete without fragrant rosemary, which is so low-maintenance and beautiful that many people grow it as a ground cover.
Rosemary is slow to mature so if you’re short on time, I recommend purchasing a large plant from your local garden center or grocery store.
This easy-to-grow herb needs plenty of sunshine, especially if grown indoors.Avoid mildew by not overwatering or overcrowding plants; good air circulation does wonders.
Why Grow It?
Rosemary is an aromatic, hardy herb for roasting meats and vegetables. Perfect for soups, stews, focaccia, and so much more. It thrives in pots and requires very little maintenance.
Growing Tips:
✔️ Use a pot at least 12 inches deep with good drainage.
✔️ Keep in full sun (6-8 hours daily).
✔️ Water sparingly—rosemary prefers dry conditions.
✔️ Prune regularly to keep the plant from becoming woody.
8. Sage
This versatile and easy-to-grow herb needs full sun but hates extreme temperatures, so it should be monitored during heat waves.
Drain the water and do not water frequently, as mildew can wreak havoc on this drought-resistant plant.
Its drought tolerance is what makes this herb so low-maintenance.
Why Grow It?
Sage is a hardy, aromatic herb that is perfect for seasoning meats, flavoring cocktails, and making your own rub. It’s drought-resistant and thrives in containers, so plant it with oregano and rosemary!
Growing Tips:
✔️ Use a pot at least 10 inches deep with drainage holes.
✔️ Place in full sun and water sparingly.
✔️ Prune regularly to encourage new growth.
✔️ Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
🔗 Best Sage Seeds for Beginners
9. Tarragon
Tarragon, another easy-to-grow herb, can be grown from seedlings. Try growing tarragon from seedlings.
It’s a pretty hardy herb and doesn’t need to be watered that often, though it does need plenty of sun.
If you’re looking for drought-tolerant herbs because you forget to water your plant often, then tarragon is a great choice for your herb garden, especially if you enjoy its flavor.
SUNLIGHT NEEDS: Full sun
WATER NEEDS: Drought-tolerant. Let the soil dry out between waterings.
10. Thyme
This herb needs full sun and prefers dry soil to damp soil, which can kill the plant by introducing mildew.
Why Grow It?
Thyme is a fragrant, low-maintenance herb that pairs well with almost any dish. It’s also drought-tolerant and great for beginners.
Growing Tips:
✔️ Use a shallow pot (6 inches deep) with drainage holes.
✔️ Place in full sun (6+ hours daily).
✔️ Let the soil dry out between waterings.
✔️ Trim regularly to encourage bushy growth.
Now that you’ve read through this list of delicious and easy-to-grow herbs, you might want to check out this list of 16 vegetables that can be grown in containers!
Growing vegetables in containers makes growing a vegetable garden possible when you don’t have a large yard. All you need is a few containers!
Good luck with your herb garden!
This is a great list! Do they need much water?
Hi Suzanne!
Some herbs need more water than others. Herbs such as Basil and Chives love moist soil so you should water moderately on a daily basis, or every other day, especially if the pot gets several hours of sun exposure. Herbs like Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, and Oregano are more drought-tolerant, so you can wait for the soil to dry out between waterings. Simply stick your finger into the soil to check how dry it is; if you don’t feel any moisture about 2 inches deep then it’s time to water. Make sure to generously water the soil, not the plants or leaves.
Thanks for sharing! Can they be planted together or do they need separate pots?
Hi Vanessa!
Some herbs can be planted together, just make sure that the herbs share the same needs in terms of watering, soil, and sun exposure. Cilantro, Basil, and Parsley can be grown together (they need moist soil). Sage, Thyme, Rosemary, and Oregano can grow together (they love sun). Mint should be grown separately, however, because its roots are far-reaching and it can take over an area pretty quickly. Hope this helps!