Nothing better than a thriving herb garden so you can season everyday dishes with fresh herbs you’ve grown yourself. Building one is as easy as buying a few herb garden kits! Of course, there are certain things to consider when growing herbs, such as proper watering and ample sunshine - herbs are notorious for being thirsty and needing at least 6 hours of sunlight.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has divided the country according to different hardiness zones. These hardiness zones are determined by the minimum temperature brought on by the climate experienced in a specific region.

Zone 9 Explained

As a beginner, you want to start with low-maintenance, quick-growing plants. Herbs are the perfect choice for a beginner grower like you because these plants grow quickly, they don’t grow too big, and they don’t require much babying at all. If you’ve always wanted to build a windowsill or balcony garden of your own, then you can simply buy a few herb kits to transform your space.

So what are the essential factors that you should keep in mind as an herb gardener? Here are some tips:

When should you start an herb garden?

Assuming that you are growing your herbs outdoors, the best time to start an herb garden is at the start of the growing season - springtime! At the beginning of the spring season, the soil starts to heat up and soften, so it’s easy to prepare for planting. We recommend amending the soil with organic compost first to boost the soil nutrients before planting the seedlings. Choose a spot that gets a lot of sun every day.

On the other hand, if you are growing your herbs indoors, anytime’s a good time to grow herbs as long as the conditions are right. You might need heat lamps to ensure that your herbs are getting a lot of light. Herbs are known for being heat-loving, requiring at least 6 hours of sunlight every day.

Is it better to grow herbs in pots or ground?

It depends on the herbs you’re growing. Generally, herbs thrive when grown in pots or the ground. But for herbs that grow vigorously, like catnip, comfrey, horseradish, lemon balm, hops, artemisi, and all varieties of mints, for example, the herb could end up overtaking the space and choking the rest of your crops.

If the herb tends to be invasive, they’re best grown in pots. Herbs that don’t grow too big like basil, rosemary, parsley, oregano, and thyme will do wonderfully in-ground or in pots. But no matter the size, be sure to give each herb the room it needs to grow.

What should a beginner gardener plant?

Start your herb gardening journey with quick-growing, low-maintenance herbs. Plant herbs that do not require much watering, those that do well in very hot areas. Thankfully, most herbs love the full sun and do not require much protection in the afternoons. Our herb kits come with the easiest growing herbs for beginners. They make a terrific gift for newbie growers who want to try their hand at gardening.

What herb is the easiest to plant?

What herbs are the easiest to grow? Here’s our list of 10 herb plants that you can grow easily.

10 Easy Herbs to Grow for Beginners

Basil: a sweet, aromatic annual plant that’s a staple in the Mediterranean, Italian and Asian cuisine. Basil is best planted outdoors anytime after the last spring frost and 6 - 8 weeks before the last spring frost if grown indoors. Basil has hundreds of varieties, so be sure to grow the kind that you will use often.

• Planting Zone: Zone 10 and above
• Soil Type: Moist, rich soil
• Sunlight: 6 to 8 hourse
• Harvest: 70 to 75 days

Oregano: Prized for its fresh, robust aroma that complements meat dishes, oregano is a hardy perennial that doesn’t take much to grow. It will, however, need the full sun for at least 5 hours a day and warm soil to thrive. Oregano doesn’t grow too big and will thrive in a container garden.

• Planting Zone: Zones 5 to 10
• Soil Type: Poor
• Sunlight: 6 to 8 hours
• Harvest: 60 days

Rosemary: This is one of the most popular aromatic herbs, and it’s used in cooking, skincare, and as a natural remedy for different ailments. Rosemary is recognizable for its needle-like leaves and intense aroma that complements meat dishes. Just like oregano, rosemary doesn’t grow too big, so it is suitable for a container or windowsill garden.

• Planting Zone: Zones 6 to 9
• Soil Type: loamy, sandy soil
• Sunlight: 6 to 8 hours
• Harvest: 40 to 42 days

Chives: An easy-to-grow herb that adds freshness and robust flavors to your everyday dishes. It’s a flexible herb that you can use to season meats, poultry, and fish or as a garnish for everyday dishes. Chives grow in clumps, and these do not need much to thrive, perfect for container gardens.

• Planting Zone: Zones 3 to 10
• Soil Type: Moist, rich soil
• Sunlight:6 to 8 hours
• Harvest: 30 days

Mint: An herb with a refreshing, distinctively green flavor. It enhances the flavors of sweet to savory dishes. Watch out, though; mint tends to grow aggressively, so it will require regular pruning to keep it from overtaking your garden!

Thyme: Thyme is one of the most popular herbs to grow for beginners because it does not take a lot to keep the plant healthy. It grows best in a hot, dry climate and needs the full sun to thrive. It will even grow in dry soil because it's very drought-tolerant.

• Planting Zone: Zones 5 to 9
• Soil Type: Nutrient-rich, well-drained soil
• Sunlight: 6 to 8 hours
• Harvest: 30 days

Sage: A delicate-looking herb with beautiful gray-green leaves, sage is used to season meat dishes, particularly soups and stews. All varieties of sage are edible. This resilient herb loves the full sun and loose sandy soil.

• Planting Zone: Zones 5 to 9
• Soil Type: Loamy or loose, sandy soil
• Sunlight: 6 to 8 hours
• Time to Harvest: 75 days

Cilantro: an aromatic herb that gives meat and seafood dishes a bright, green flavor and taste, cilantro loves the full sun, although it needs partial protection in the afternoons. It will thrive in shady areas too. Let the herb go to flower if you want to harvest coriander seeds, but if you only need the leaves for flower, do not let cilantro bolt or go to flower.

• Planting Zone: Zones 3 to 11
• Soil Type: Light, loamy, or sandy soil
• Sunlight: 6 to 8 hours
• Harvest: 21 to 28 days

Dill: The herb of choice for seasoning fish and seafood has a mild aroma and taste. It’s also commonly used to flavor soups and stews. Dill is so easy to grow, and it does not need replanting at all. It grows quickly and does not like to be transplanted. If you allow it, dill will self-sow, so you'll never run out of this herb in your garden.

• Planting Zone: Zones 2 to11
• Soil Type: Loamy, well-drained soil
• Sunlight: 6 to 8 hours
• Harvest: 90 days

Parsley: Parsley is a tough herb that grows quickly with hardly any help. It doesn't require frequent watering and is happy as a clam with lots of sunshine. Parsley is best planted in moist soil, but it will thrive in dry conditions too. In sweltering climates, parsley will need a little protection from the sun.

• Planting Zone: Zones 4 to 9
• Soil Type: Loamy, well-drained soil
• Sunlight: 6 to 8 hours
• Harvest: 70 to 90 days

While you can always buy starter plants for your first herb garden, nothing beats growing herbs from seed. An herb garden starter kit has all the components you need to grow your favorite herbs indoors or outdoors! One of our newest products is the herb garden starter kit. It comes complete with five easy-to-grow herbs + 2 bonus seeds, along with potting soil and coconut pots. Discover how easy it is to build an herb garden, shop for our herb garden kit here.