Welcome to your heirloom herb garden. This planting guide covers all 35 non-GMO, open-pollinated culinary and traditional herb seeds in your 35 Herb kit: whether to start each one indoors or sow it outside, when, how deep, how far apart, how much sun it needs, and how long until you can harvest. It works for garden beds, containers and sunny windowsills.
On this page: When to plant · Annual herbs · Perennial herbs · Light and cold tricks · Growing herbs indoors · Harvesting · Seed saving · Storage · FAQ
When to plant: your last frost date and growing zone
Every planting time on this page counts from your area's average last spring frost date. Search "last frost date" plus your ZIP code, mark it on a calendar, then count weeks back for indoor starts and forward for warm-weather sowing. Our seed starting calendar by last frost date walks through a full example.
- Zones 3-5 (short seasons): start slow herbs like rosemary, lavender and parsley indoors, and choose the quickest varieties for direct sowing.
- Zones 6-7: follow the tables as written; most areas also get a second, fall sowing of cool-season seeds.
- Zones 8-10 (long, hot summers): plant cool-season seeds in fall and winter, and warm-season seeds in early spring before peak heat.
Annual and fast herbs (sow every spring)
These culinary herbs finish in one season. Sow basil after frost; cilantro, dill, chervil and arugula like cool weather and are best sown in small batches every few weeks.
| Herb | How and when to plant | Depth | Spacing | Sun | Sprouts in | Ready in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Basil Genovese |
Indoors or direct sow: Indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, or outdoors after frost | 1/8-1/4 in | 10-12 in | Full sun | 5-10 days | Pick leaves from ~30 days |
|
Basil Sweet |
Indoors or direct sow: Indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, or outdoors after frost | 1/8-1/4 in | 10-12 in | Full sun | 5-10 days | Pick leaves from ~30 days |
|
Basil Large Leaf Italian |
Indoors or direct sow: Indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, or outdoors after frost | 1/8-1/4 in | 12-18 in | Full sun | 5-10 days | Pick leaves from ~30 days |
|
Basil Thai |
Indoors or direct sow: Indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, or outdoors after frost | 1/8-1/4 in | 10-12 in | Full sun | 5-10 days | Pick leaves from ~30 days |
|
Basil Lemon |
Indoors or direct sow: Indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, or outdoors after frost | 1/8-1/4 in | 10-12 in | Full sun | 5-10 days | Pick leaves from ~30 days |
|
Basil Cinnamon |
Indoors or direct sow: Indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, or outdoors after frost | 1/8-1/4 in | 10-12 in | Full sun | 5-10 days | Pick leaves from ~30 days |
|
Basil Red Rubin |
Indoors or direct sow: Indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, or outdoors after frost | 1/8-1/4 in | 10-12 in | Full sun | 5-14 days | Pick leaves from ~35 days |
|
Basil Purple Dark Opal |
Indoors or direct sow: Indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, or outdoors after frost | 1/8-1/4 in | 10-12 in | Full sun | 5-14 days | Pick leaves from ~35 days |
|
Cilantro Leisure |
Direct sow: 1-2 weeks before last frost, then every 3 weeks; again in fall | 1/4-1/2 in | 6-8 in | Sun to part shade | 7-10 days | Leaves 45-55 days; coriander seed ~100 days |
|
Cilantro Long Standing |
Direct sow: 1-2 weeks before last frost, then every 3 weeks; again in fall | 1/4-1/2 in | 6-8 in | Sun to part shade | 7-10 days | Leaves 50-60 days; coriander seed ~100 days |
|
Dill Bouquet |
Direct sow: Around last frost, then every 3-4 weeks | 1/4 in | 12 in | Full sun | 7-21 days | Leaves 40-50 days; seed ~90 days |
|
Dill Dukat |
Direct sow: Around last frost, then every 3-4 weeks | 1/4 in | 12 in | Full sun | 7-21 days | Leaves 40-55 days; seed ~90 days |
|
Dill Mammoth Long Island |
Direct sow: Around last frost, then every 3-4 weeks | 1/4 in | 12-18 in | Full sun | 7-21 days | Leaves 50-60 days; seed ~90 days |
| Chervil | Direct sow: 2-4 weeks before last frost; again in fall | 1/8 in | 6-9 in | Part shade | 7-14 days | 45-60 days |
| Summer Savory | Direct sow or indoors: Outdoors after last frost, or indoors 4-6 weeks before | Barely cover (needs light) | 6-10 in | Full sun | 7-14 days | 60-70 days |
|
Anise Pimpinella anisum |
Direct sow: After last frost (dislikes transplanting) | 1/4 in | 6-12 in | Full sun | 14-21 days | Leaves ~45 days; seed 110-120 days |
| Cumin | Direct sow or indoors in pots: Outdoors 2 weeks after last frost, or indoors 4 weeks before | 1/4 in | 4-6 in | Full sun | 7-14 days | Seed 100-120 days (needs a long warm season) |
|
Chamomile German |
Direct sow: 2-4 weeks before last frost, or in fall | Surface sow (needs light) | 8 in | Full sun | 7-14 days | Flowers 60-70 days |
|
Arugula Roquette |
Direct sow: 4-6 weeks before last frost; again in fall | 1/4 in | 4-6 in | Sun to part shade | 3-7 days | 35-45 days |
|
Parsley Triple Curled |
Indoors or direct sow (soak seed overnight): Indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost, or outdoors 2-3 weeks before | 1/4 in | 8-10 in | Sun to part shade | 14-28 days | 70-80 days |
|
Parsley Italian Flat Leaf |
Indoors or direct sow (soak seed overnight): Indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost, or outdoors 2-3 weeks before | 1/4 in | 8-10 in | Sun to part shade | 14-28 days | 75-80 days |
Perennial herbs (plant once, harvest for years)
Give these a permanent spot in the garden or a large pot. Most are slow from seed, so start them indoors in late winter.
| Herb | How and when to plant | Depth | Spacing | Sun | Sprouts in | Ready in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chives Onion |
Indoors or direct sow: Indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, or outdoors 4 weeks before | 1/4 in | 6-8 in (clumps) | Full sun | 7-14 days | 75-85 days; perennial zones 3-9 |
|
Bunching Onion Tokyo Long White |
Indoors or direct sow: Indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost, or outdoors 4 weeks before | 1/4 in | 1-2 in | Full sun | 7-14 days | 60-70 days |
|
Oregano Italian |
Start indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost | Surface sow (needs light) | 12 in | Full sun | 7-14 days | 80-90 days; perennial zones 5-10 |
|
Thyme Winter |
Start indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost | Surface sow (needs light) | 8-12 in | Full sun | 14-28 days | ~85 days; perennial zones 5-9 |
|
Sage Broadleaf |
Indoors or direct sow: Indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, or outdoors after frost | 1/8-1/4 in | 18-24 in | Full sun | 10-21 days | ~75 days; perennial zones 5-9 |
| Rosemary | Start indoors: 10-12 weeks before last frost | Barely cover | 24-36 in | Full sun | 14-28 days (slow, patchy) | Light snips ~90 days; perennial zones 7-10 (pot it elsewhere) |
| Lavender | Start indoors (cold stratify 3-4 weeks): 10-12 weeks before last frost | Surface sow, press in | 12-18 in | Full sun | 14-28 days | Foliage first year; best blooms year 2; perennial zones 5-9 |
| Peppermint | Start indoors: 8-10 weeks before last frost | Surface sow (needs light) | 18-24 in (spreads) | Sun to part shade | 10-16 days | ~90 days; perennial zones 3-8 |
|
Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis |
Indoors or direct sow: Indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, or outdoors after frost | Surface sow, press in | 18-24 in | Sun to part shade | 10-14 days | ~70 days; perennial zones 4-9 |
| Catnip | Indoors or direct sow: Indoors 6 weeks before last frost, or outdoors around last frost | 1/8 in | 18-24 in | Sun to part shade | 7-14 days | ~80 days; perennial zones 3-9 |
|
Chamomile Roman |
Start indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost | Surface sow (needs light) | 8-12 in | Sun to part shade | 7-14 days | ~90 days; perennial groundcover zones 4-9 |
|
Echinacea Purple Coneflower |
Indoors or direct sow (cold stratify 30 days, or sow in fall): Indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost | 1/8-1/4 in | 18-24 in | Full sun | 10-21 days | Often blooms year 2; perennial zones 3-9 |
|
Yarrow Western (white) |
Indoors or direct sow: Indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, or outdoors in spring | Surface sow (needs light) | 12-18 in | Full sun | 10-14 days | Often blooms year 2; perennial zones 3-9 |
|
Bergamot Monarda fistulosa |
Indoors or direct sow (cold stratify 30 days helps): Indoors 8 weeks before last frost, or outdoors in fall | Barely cover | 18-24 in | Sun to part shade | 10-40 days | Often blooms year 2; perennial zones 3-9 |
Times are typical and vary with temperature. Zone numbers are USDA hardiness zones.
Two tricks for hard-to-sprout herb seeds
- Light to germinate: oregano, thyme, peppermint, lemon balm, summer savory, chamomile and yarrow sprout best uncovered. Press seeds onto moist soil and cover the tray with plastic until they sprout.
- Cold stratification: lavender, echinacea and bergamot sprout better after a cold, damp spell. Mix seeds with damp sand or a damp paper towel, seal in a bag, refrigerate 3-4 weeks, then sow. Or simply sow them outdoors in fall and let winter do it.
- Soak: parsley seed sprouts faster after soaking overnight in warm water.
More detail on individual herbs: how to grow lavender from seed, how to grow purple coneflower (echinacea) from seed and how to grow Dark Opal basil.
Growing herbs indoors and in containers
- Best indoor herbs: basil, chives, parsley, oregano, thyme, chervil, peppermint and lemon balm.
- Light: a south-facing window or a grow light for 12-14 hours a day. Leggy, pale plants need more light.
- Pots: 6 inches or larger with drainage holes. Let the top inch of soil dry between waterings for rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano and lavender.
- Mint: always grow peppermint in its own pot; it spreads by runners. See how to grow lavender in pots for container basics that apply to most Mediterranean herbs.
Harvesting herbs for the best flavor
- Start picking once plants are 6-8 inches tall, and never take more than a third of the plant at once.
- Pinch basil just above a pair of leaves to keep it bushy, and pinch off flower buds to keep leaves coming.
- Harvest in the morning after the dew dries, when flavor oils are strongest.
- Dry herbs in small bundles hung somewhere warm, dark and airy, then store in sealed jars.
- Correctly identify any plant and follow reliable preparation guidance before using homegrown herbs for tea or food.
Pairing ideas: can you plant basil with peppers? and are all types of rosemary edible?
Saving herb seeds
Every herb in the kit is open-pollinated, so you can save your own seed. Dill, cilantro (coriander), chervil, anise, arugula, chamomile and basil are the easiest: let a few plants flower, wait until the seed heads turn brown and dry, then rub the seeds into a bag. Basil varieties can cross with each other, so let only one basil variety flower if you want it to stay true.
How to store your seeds
Only open the packets you plan to plant this season. Keep the rest sealed in their bag:
- Cool: a closet, basement or cool pantry. Avoid attics, garages, cars and sunny windows.
- Dry: moisture is the biggest enemy of stored seed. Keep the bag sealed and off damp floors.
- Dark: keep seeds out of direct sunlight.
- Reseal: press the air out and reseal the bag right after taking packets out.
- Steady: avoid big temperature swings. If you refrigerate seed, let the sealed bag warm to room temperature before opening so no condensation forms.
Germination test: roll 10 seeds in a damp paper towel, put it in a plastic bag somewhere warm, and count how many sprout in the time shown in the table. 7 of 10 means 70%; sow a little thicker to make up the difference. More detail: how to store seeds long-term.
Frequently asked questions
Which herbs are easiest to grow from seed for beginners?
Basil, cilantro, dill, arugula, chives and German chamomile sprout quickly and reliably. Start with those, then try slower herbs like parsley, thyme, oregano, rosemary and lavender.
Which herb seeds should not be covered with soil?
Oregano, thyme, peppermint, lemon balm, summer savory, chamomile and yarrow need light to germinate. Press them onto the surface of moist soil and keep it damp with a spray bottle or a cover.
Can I grow these herbs indoors on a windowsill?
Yes for basil, chives, parsley, oregano, thyme, chervil, mint and lemon balm. Give them your sunniest window (south-facing is best) or a grow light for 12-14 hours a day, and use pots with drainage holes.
Why are my parsley or lavender seeds so slow to sprout?
Parsley can take 2-4 weeks; soaking seed overnight helps. Lavender, echinacea and bergamot sprout better after cold stratification: mix seeds with damp sand or a damp paper towel in a sealed bag in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks, then sow.
Which herbs come back every year?
Chives, oregano, thyme, sage, lavender, peppermint, lemon balm, catnip, Roman chamomile, echinacea, yarrow and bergamot are perennials in most zones. Rosemary survives winter outdoors only in about zones 7-10; elsewhere grow it in a pot and bring it inside.
How do I keep cilantro from bolting?
Sow cilantro in cool weather (early spring and fall), keep it watered, and sow a new row every 3 weeks. When it does flower, let it set seed: those seeds are coriander.
More planting guides
- Seed Vault vegetable planting guide
- Flower seeds planting guide
- Seed starting calendar by last frost date
- How to grow lavender from seed
- How to store seeds long-term
Questions?
Tap the chat button on this page and ask anything about growing your seeds, or read our FAQ. Kit details and the full variety list: 35 Herb heirloom seed kit.
