Herb gardening is a popular and easy way to add flavor and aroma to your garden at home. These plants can be grown in containers, in raised beds, or planted directly in the ground. While they are primarily grown for culinary purposes, they also add beautiful color and texture to gardens, and some even attract native wildlife like bees and butterflies.
Regularly feeding your herbs will keep them green and healthy. The Garden Place recommends an organic all-purpose fertilizer like Espoma Garden Tone.
For pests and diseases, choose organic sprays and treatments if you are going to consume your herbs or are growing them for wildlife purposes. Neem oil is recommended for mites, whiteflies, aphids, and other insects. BT is recommended for any unwanted caterpillars.
Basil
Water: Medium; water when the top few inches of the soil are dry; do not let the plant sit wet, as it can cause the roots to rot. Plant in well-drained soil.
Sun: Full sun to part shade; during the summer, basil can benefit from shade during the hot afternoons.
Care: Basil can be grown year-round in South Florida. Pinch back or harvest regularly to encourage bushy growth. Many recommend pinching the flowers before they grow too large, because it can affect the taste. However, if you are interested in growing plants from seed, you can leave the flowers on the plant until they dry out completely. Look for different varieties like opal or Thai to experience different flavors.
Uses: Fresh basil leaves can be used in pasta, salads, as a garnish, in pesto, and in other sauces. The flowers attract beneficial pollinators like bees and can be used in drinks and salads.
Note: Basil can be susceptible to downy mildew, a disease that can cause yellowing and a powdery substance on the undersides of leaves. To prevent this, plant in fresh soil and full sun with plenty of airflow. You can also choose disease-resistant varieties like Amazel Basil.
Thyme
Water: Medium; water when the top few inches of the soil are dry; do not let the plant sit we,t as it can stunt the growth of the plant. Plant in well-drained soil.
Sun: Full sun
Care: Thyme can be grown year-round in South Florida. The key to a healthy thyme plant is the watering schedule – it really doesn’t like to sit wet, but can be very unforgiving if it dries out too much. Full sun encourages strong flavor in the leaves.
Uses: The leaves are often used on roasted vegetables & poultry, and can also be used in soups and stews.
Oregano
Water: Medium; water when the top few inches of the soil are dry; do not let the plant sit wet, as it can cause root rot. Plant in well-drained soil.
Sun: Full sun
Care: Prune regularly to prevent leggy stems. This plant spreads easily and will cascade down the side of a planter.
Uses: The leaves are often used in Italian cooking because they lend themselves well to pizza and pasta sauces. It can also be used in marinades and on roasted meat.
Chives and Garlic Chives
Water: Medium; water when the top few inches of the soil are dry; do not let the plant sit wet, as it can stunt the growth of the plant. Plant in well-drained soil.
Sun: Full sun
Care: Regular harvesting will encourage new growth. Some shoots may need to be cut out if they turn yellow or brown.
Uses: Chives carry a slight onion flavor and can be added to eggs, soups, potatoes, dips, and sauces. Garlic chives earn their name from the distinctive garlic flavor, and can be used in similar ways to the regular chives.
Rosemary
Water: Low; do not let the plant dry out completely for long periods of time, especially when young. Rosemary is drought-tolerant once established. Plant in a well-drained soil.
Sun: Full sun
Care: Rosemary can grow into a small bush if allowed to grow. Trim as needed. Bush and creeping types are commonly available.
Uses: Rosemary can be used on vegetables, potatoes, meats, and even bread. Sprigs of the plant can be used as skewers for grilling, and the leaves can be infused into oils for salad dressing.
Mint
Water: Medium; Keep moist as the plant will wilt when too dry, causing leaf damage.
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Care: Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow – it grows fast and can quickly take over a garden bed. Because of this, it is recommended that it be grown only in containers, making it easy to keep under control. Mint can also tolerate more shade than other herbs.
Uses: Mint is used in many drinks, including tea and the famous mint julep. It can also be added to salads and desserts.
Fennel
Water: Medium; do not let the plant dry out completely. Plant in well-drained soil.
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Care: Fennel grows best in cooler weather.
Uses: Fennel has a mild licorice flavor. Its bulb and leaves can be used in salads, seafood, and soup. The bulb can also be roasted or sauteed. The seeds can be used in teas and cooking. Fennel also serves as a host plant for the caterpillars of black swallowtail butterflies.
Dill
Water: Medium; do not let the plant dry out completely.
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Care: Dill does well in Fall through Spring and is fast-growing.
Uses: Dill and its seeds are used in salads, sauces, seafood dishes, and pickling. It also serves as a host plant for the caterpillars of black swallowtail butterflies.
Parsley
Water: Medium; do not let the plant dry out completely.
Sun: Full sun to part sun; it will do best if it is protected from afternoon sun.
Care: Parsley will grow year-round, although it does best in the Fall and Winter. Keeping it in light shade during the Summer might prolong its life. Parsley is easy to grow from seed.
Uses: The leaves can be used in soups, salads, sauces, marinades, or as a garnish. It also serves as a host plant for the caterpillars of black swallowtail butterflies.
Cilantro
Water: Medium; do not let the plant dry out completely.
Sun: Full sun to part sun; it will do best if it is protected from afternoon sun.
Care: Cilantro does best during the Fall and Winter – the summer heat makes it flower quickly and go to seed, compromising the look and flavor of the leaves.
Uses: Leaves are commonly used in sauces, salads, and soups. The seeds are called Coriander and can be used as a spice.