Herb Seeds

Herb seeds bring flavor, fragrance, flowers, tea, pollinators, and everyday usefulness into the garden. This collection gathers annual, biennial, and perennial herbs for kitchen beds, containers, borders, tea gardens, pollinator plantings, and traditional household use.

Every variety we offer is open-pollinated, with certified organic and heirloom seed options available throughout the herb collection. Grow basil, dill, cilantro, parsley, chamomile, calendula, lavender, sage, thyme, oregano, mint, and other useful herbs for fresh cooking, drying, tea, edible flowers, and the quiet pleasure of a garden close at hand.

Choosing Herbs for the Garden

An herb garden can begin with a few plants close to the kitchen or grow into a lasting collection of culinary, fragrant, flowering, and traditional-use herbs. Start with annuals such as basil, cilantro, dill, and chamomile for quick harvests, then add perennial herbs such as thyme, oregano, sage, lavender, chives, and lemon balm for plants that can return year after year.

Most herbs grow best in full sun and well-drained soil, though parsley, chives, mint, and lemon balm tolerate some shade. Harvest leafy herbs regularly to encourage fresh growth, and allow a few plants to flower for bees, beneficial insects, and seed.

Containers are useful for smaller spaces, tender herbs, and vigorous spreaders such as mint and lemon balm. Begin with the herbs you use most often, then let the garden expand with your cooking and curiosity.

Shop by Garden

Browse by Plant

Before You Sow

Annual, Biennial & Perennial Herbs

Annual herbs such as basil, cilantro, dill, and chamomile complete their life cycle in one season. Biennials such as parsley often grow leaves the first year and flower the next. Perennial herbs such as thyme, oregano, sage, lavender, chives, and lemon balm can return for years where climate and drainage suit them.

Direct Sow or Start Indoors?

Cilantro, dill, borage, calendula, chamomile, anise, fennel, and parsley are commonly direct sown. Basil, rosemary, lavender, thyme, and other slower-growing herbs often benefit from an indoor start before warm weather arrives.

Harvest for Continued Growth

Harvest leafy herbs regularly to encourage branching and tender new growth. For the best flavor, gather many herbs before heavy flowering, then leave a few plants to bloom for pollinators or mature fully for seed saving.

Herb Seed Questions

What herbs are best for a first-time gardener?

Basil, cilantro, dill, chamomile, calendula, borage, catnip, and chives are approachable choices for many gardeners. Some grow quickly, while parsley and perennial herbs may simply require a little more patience.

Should I start herb seeds indoors or sow them outside?

Cilantro, dill, borage, calendula, chamomile, anise, fennel, and parsley are commonly sown directly in the garden. Basil, rosemary, lavender, thyme, and other slower-growing herbs often benefit from an indoor start.

Which herbs can return year after year?

Perennial herbs include chives, lavender, lemon balm, mint, oregano, sage, sorrel, thyme, hyssop, echinacea, catnip, and monarda. Whether they return depends on climate, drainage, and the individual variety.

Can I grow a useful herb garden in containers?

Yes. Basil, parsley, chives, thyme, oregano, sage, cilantro, chamomile, mint, and many other herbs grow well in pots. Use containers with good drainage, and give vigorous spreaders such as mint and lemon balm their own space.

What herbs are especially good for bees and beneficial insects?

Flowering basil, borage, chives, dill, fennel, lavender, oregano, thyme, monarda, hyssop, mint, and cilantro provide useful nectar or pollen. Let a few plants bloom while continuing to harvest from the rest.

How many herbs should I grow to begin with?

Three to six varieties is a comfortable starting point for most gardeners. Choose the herbs you use most often, add one flowering or perennial type, and expand as you learn what grows best in your space.