The good news is that growing herbs at home is both affordable and accessible – you just need to know what herbs are easy to grow, where to put them and how to take care of them.
With that in mind, here’s our guide to seven of the easiest herbs to grow at home and some essential things you should know before you get started.
Read more: How to grow herbs
1. Basil
Basil is a leafy and fragrant herb that grows beautifully in full sunlight. Basil loves moist but well drained soil and requires lots of pruning when it’s in full season.
When a branch of your basil has seven or eight leaves, it’s time to give it a prune to allow for new growth.
Basil works well in Italian dishes and can be made into pesto pasta sauces or added to salads.
Read more: How to grow basil
What herbs are easy to grow? Basil! What’s more, fresh basil leaves go brilliantly in a salad or pasta. Picture: Getty
2. Coriander
Summer is not ideal for coriander to grow but spring, winter and autumn should see your coriander plant in full bloom.
Coriander plants like sunny spots in the garden, well drained soil, regular watering and fertilising.
When embarking on a journey to learn how to grow herbs in pots, coriander is your go-to. While it also grows well in the ground, coriander makes for an excellent container mate for other plants and herbs. Coriander is a pungent herb that complements Indian and Asian dishes.
Coriander is a great herb to grow in pots. Picture: Getty
3. Rosemary
Rosemary is arguably the easiest herb to grow. If you plant it in a good spot, it will provide you with more rosemary than you’ll ever be able to cook with.
Rosemary plants can grow quite tall and wide but can still live happily in large pots and containers. It can survive well in hot and dry climates so be careful not to over water or over fertilise it.
Rosemary is a hearty herb that works well with winter foods like soups, stews and baked potatoes.
Read more: How to grow rosemary
Rosemary is one of the easiest herbs to grow, so even black thumbs can get in on the action. Picture: Erinna Giblin
4. Parsley
If you want to discover how to grow herbs inside, or more importantly, what herbs are easy to grow inside, then look no further than parsley. Not unlike other herbs, parsley flourishes in sunny areas, but it’s a hardy, versatile herb making it one of the easiest herbs to grow in the kitchen. There are two basic varieties of parsley – flat leaf and curly. Both are excellent for cooking, particularly in Italian dishes, and both will grow well in most gardens or containers.
Parsley likes to be planted in spring and needs a moderate to low amount of water and fertilisation.
Read more: How to grow parsley
Growing herbs doesn’t have to be hard work, especially when it’s parsley you’re growing. Picture: Erinna Giblin
5. Lavender
While Lavender isn’t technically a herb, it’s still a wonderful plant to grow as a part of an edible garden. You can use it for baking, making your drawers smell sweet and for adding fragrance to bathroom products.
Lavender loves full sun so make sure you can accommodate its needs before you plant it. Lavender likes a well drained pot, but give it lots of water at least once a week.
If your lavender is growing well it will need pruning regularly to keep it under control – lavender thrives under the right conditions so make sure you keep an eye on it.
Read more: How to grow lavender
No garden is complete without a bed of dusky lavender plants. Picture: Three Birds Renovations
6. Chives
Chives like the cold weather so winter is when you’ll get the best out of your chive plants.
If you plant chives under the right conditions they can overwhelm your garden so make sure you keep an eye on any neighbouring plants. Chives love full sun, cool weather and moist soil that’s fertile and well-drained.
Chives are a delicious addition to winter soups and are also fantastic when stirred into dips and sauces.
Read more: How to grow chives
If you’re looking for how to grow herbs inside, chives is not for you. They love full sun, so keep them outside. Picture: Getty
7. Mint
Keen to start growing herbs and seeing your produce flourish fast? Fragrant and fast growing, mint is an easy-to-grow and very useful addition to an at-home herb garden.
Mint likes a nice mixture of sun and shade and thrives well in gardens, pots and containers. Make sure you place mint plants about 40cm apart to allow for rapid growth and to discourage the roots from over crowding.
Peppermint tea is a healthy and refreshing drink you can make straight from your garden. Picture: Getty
Mint can be used in a variety of different dishes including salads, stir-frys and even in hot drinks