Getting Started With Outdoor Herb Growing (Top Questions Answered)

Which herbs like full sun? Which herbs are annual? Or perennial? Can I grow them in containers? Get the answers to these beginner questions and more to get started with outdoor herb growing.

If you want to grow indoors, see How to Grow Herbs Indoors (Beginner’s Guide).

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Growing Herbs Outdoors: Tips For Beginner Growers

Use these tips to get started with herb growing outdoors in containers or garden beds. The first step is know which plants are annual or perennial and then learn the best growing conditions for each variety.

This advice is geared toward gardeners growing in cold climates (hardiness zones 4-8) in the United States and Canada.

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Contents

• What are herbs?
• What are the differences between annual, biennial, & perennial herbs?
• Which herbs are annuals?
• Which herbs are perennials?
• What are the different ways to propagate herbs?
• How much sun do herbs need?
• Can I grow herbs in containers?
• Which fertilizer should I use for herbs?
• When should you harvest herbs?
• How do you preserve herbs?
• How do you grow and make herbal teas?

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1What are herbs?

Herbs come from the leafy and green parts of plants whereas spices come from roots, bulbs, stems, bark, or seeds.

A plant classified as a herb can be used for food (culinary), flavor, scent, color, or medicinal purposes. Some are potent and can be harmful. 

We tend to include some spices (derived from plants) under the herb umbrella, and I have included some here.

What are herbaceous plants?

Herbaceous plants (by definition) are flowering perennials that do not develop woody stems. Many herbs are herbaceous plants, but not all. Rosemary and lavender both develop woody stems, so, by this definition, they are not herbaceous, but they are herbs.

This shows how to propagate rosemary and other woody-stemmed plants from cuttings.

2What is the difference between annual, biennial, and perennial herbs?

Herbs can be annuals, biennials, or perennials.

• Annuals are plants that germinate, bloom, produce, seed, and die, within one year. These include many flowers, herbs, and vegetables. Basil is an example of an annual herb.
• Biennials have a two-year biological cycle. They grow leaves the first year, and flower, seed, and die in the second year. Parsley is an example, although we grow it as an annual.
• Perennials are plants that live on for several years. They can flower or fruit year after year.

3Which herbs are annuals?

Annual Herbs

Annual herbs germinate, bloom, produce, seed, and die within one year. 

• Basil, sweet | Ocimum basilicum
  Use: leaves
• Borage | Borago offininalis – spring herb
  Use: flowers
• Caraway | Apiaceae spp.
  Use: fruits and seeds
• Cardamom | Elettaria cardamomum
  Use: seed pods
• Chamomile, German | Matricaria chamomilla
  Use: flowers (daisy-like)
• Cilantro coriander | Coriandrum sativum – goes to seed quickly (tends to bolt)
  • Cilantro – leaves and stems
  • Coriander – seeds
    Recommended: Vietnamese coriander is one of the easiest to grow.
• Chervil | Anthriscus cereifolium – perennial grown as annual
  Use: leaves
  A relative of parsley, okay with low light.
• Cutting Celery | Apium graveolens – perennial grown as an annual
• Use: leaves
• Dill | Anethum graveolens
  Use: leaves and seeds
• Fennel | Foeniculum vulgare – grown as an annual vegetable for the bulb, allow to flower for seeds
• Hyssop | Hyssopus officinalis
  Medicinal herb
• Lemongrass | Cymbopogon citratus  – zones 9-10 tropical plant
  Use: leaf stalks
  Start with a stalk from the grocery store. Trim top and grow in a few inches of water.
• Parsley | Petroselinum crispum, Petroselinum hortense – biennial grown as annual
  Use: leaves
• Summer savory | Satureja hortensis
  Use: leaves

5What are the different ways to propagate herbs?

We can grow herbs from seeds, cuttings, or by dividing existing plants.

• Some herbs are easy to grow from seeds, others, such as basil, are unreliable.
• Some herbs are easy to propagate from cuttings, like rosemary and lavender.
  One of several methods to propagate from cuttings: Cut off a 4 to 6-inch stem. Remove the lower leaves. Plant in light, moistened potting mix, placing stems against inner sides of pots. Place in indirect light at 70°F (21°C) or a bit warmer and keep moist.
  
  This tutorial has more information on growing plants from cuttings.

6How much sun do herbs need?

Herb Sunlight Chart

Best growing conditions including the amount of sun vary by plant and the intensity of your growing conditions.

Generally, most herbs like well-drained soil, do not tolerate damp conditions, enjoy full sun (a minimum of 5 hours per day without drying out from the heat), and do fine in containers. Specific needs vary by species. I find a number of herbs will do fine in part-shade which can slow growth but avoid drying out in hot summer sun.

This explains full sun, part sun, part shade, and shade and has tips for assessing the light in your garden.

7Can I grow herbs in containers?

Yes, all herbs can grow in containers.

• Use lightweight potting mix and ensure excellent drainage. In general, lean soil is preferable as most herbs originate in Mediterranean growing conditions and do not require extra nutrition.
• Prop pots on stones to avoid base sitting in a saucer of water. 
• Using separate containers for each plant makes it easy to move them around as needed and bring them indoors for over-wintering.

8Which fertilizer should I use for herbs?

Some herbs don’t need much nutrition so it’s best to look up what you’re growing and feed it accordingly.

If you do need to fertilize, diluted fish fertilizer is one option. Look for an organic product safe for food crops, geared toward leaf (foliage) growth, not blooms. This guide on organic fertilizers has more info. I just use my own homemade compost.

9When should you harvest herbs?

The best time to harvest herbs depends on what you’re growing and which part of the plant you want to use.

• For herbs used for their stems or leaves, regular harvesting (not more than 1/3 of the plant) encourages new growth. These are edible at any time.
• Removal of emerging flowers can help delay the seed production stage which marks the end of the plant’s life.
• For flowers and extracting oils, wait until the flowers have matured.
• Seeds are produced after flowering and also need to reach maturity to be viable.

10How do you preserve herbs?

Herb Drying Methods

Herbs can be used fresh or dried, depending on the type and purpose.

• Bundle stems—but allow good air flow—and hang indoors or under a covered porch until completely dry (may take 6 weeks).
• Microwave drying: place in microwave in single layer on paper towel for 30 seconds on Low. Turn and check at 30-second intervals until completely dry.

Also see How to Harvest & Dry Herbs for Cooking and Herbal Teas for more tips.

Storing, Freezing, & Infusing Herbs

Store dry herbs in air-tight containers. This shows how long household herbs and spices last.

You can also freeze some herbs on their own, or in ice cube trays with oils.

Infused Oils and Honey

Place dry herbs in a bottle, fill with olive oil. After six weeks, strain oil. The flavor of the herbs remains. You can do the same with honey but it’s not so easy to strain.

11How do you make homegrown herbal teas?

How you make herbal tea depends on which part of the plant is used. This could be leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, or roots.

This article on 60 Plants To Grow For Homegrown Herbal Teas and more resources to get started.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛