List of 27 Culinary Herbs

herb list for selecting and growing herbs

Link to All about Herbs

The plants that we call "herbs" are the most useful plants in the garden. They are essential ingredients for cooking, medicine and in diverse activities like crafts. Some herbs offer delightful scents and attract pollinators.
I have some herbs that I use for making teas. The following are the most common and useful herbs.


Selecting and Growing Herbs:

Herb Height Culture Uses
Basil, Sweet
( Ocimum basilicum )		 1 - 2 feet Full sun. Rich, moist, well-drained soil. Propagate by seeds. Excellent fresh or dried in tomato-based dishes; pesto. Can be stored frozen.
Bay, Sweet
( Laurus nobilis )		 10 - 40 feet. 5 feet in pot. Full sun to partial shade. Moderately, rich, well-drained soil. Propagate by division. Zone 8-10 Fresh or dried leaves add flavour to food sauces. Plant in containers and winter indoors.
Borage, common
( Borago officinalis )		 2-3 feet Full sun. Fairly rich, moist, light soil. Sow seed outdoors after last frost.Will reseed. Leaves and stems have a cucumber-like flavor and are used raw or steamed. Plant in wildflower garden. Attracts beas.
Catnip
( Nepeta cataria )		 1-3 feet Full sun to partial shade. Average, sandy, well drained soil. Propagate by division, seeds. Zones 3-9 Cats enjoy toys stuffed with dried leaves.
Chamomile, German
(Matricaria recutita )		 2-3 feet Full sun. Sandy well drained soil. Sow outdoors in spring or fall. Will reseed. Makes soothing tea. Adds fragrance to sachets or arrangements. Thought to benefit cucumbers and onions when grown near them.
Chamomile, Roman
( Chamaemelum nobile )		 9-12 inches Full sun. Sandy well drained soil. Propagate by division, seeds. Zones 3-10 Makes a soothing tea. Garnish salads with edible flowers. Thought to benefit cabbages and onion plants when grown near them.
Chervil
( Anthriscus cerefolium )		 1-2 feet Partial shade. Humus moist soil. Propagate by seeds sown where the plants are to grow. Seed requires light to germinate. Add to soups, stews, just before serving for best flavor. Sow seeds at 2-week intervals for consistent supply.
Chives
( Allium schoenoprasum )		 1 - 1-1/2 feet Full sun. Average, sandy, dry, well-drained soil. Propagate by division, seeds. Zones 4-10. Use leaves fresh or dried for onion flavor.
Clary
(Salvia sclarea )		 3-4 feet Full Sun. Average, sandy, dry, well-drained soil. Propagate by seeds. Use leaves and flowers in food or tea.
Coriander
(Coriandrum sativum )		 2-3 feet Full sun to partial shade. Moderately rich soil, light, well-drained soil. Propagate by seeds sown where plants are to grow. Leaves and roots add a citrus taste to foods. Attracts bees.
Dill
(Anethum graveolens )		 2-3 feet Full sun. Moderately rich soil, light, well-drained soil. Propagate by seeds sown where plants are to grow. Will reseed. Seeds and leaves are used in cooking. Can be stored frozen.
Fennel
(Foeniculum vulgare )		 3-4 feet Full sun. Moderately rich soil, light, well-drained soil. Propagate by seeds sown where plants are to grow. Will reseed. Zones 9-10 Use fresh leaves in salads, seeds in desserts, breads, beverages. Stems can be eaten like celery.
Horseradish
( Armoracia rusticana )		 2-3 feet Full sun. Rich, moist, heavy soil. Propagate by division, root cuttings. Zones 5-8 Grate root and ginger for a sharp, mustardy condiment. Can be invasive if left unchecked.
Lavender, English
( Lavandula angustifolia )		 2-3 feet Full sun. Light, well-drained, somewhat sandy soil. Propagate by division, cuttings. Zones 5-8 Popular for its fragrant flowers. Dries well. Repells moths. Attract beas.
Lavender Cotton
(Santolina chamaecyparissus )		 1-2 feet Full sun. Light, well-drained, somewhat sandy soil. Propagate by division, cuttings. Zones 6-8 Add musk scent to sachets. Often used to edge knot gardens.
Lemon balm
(Melissa officinalis )		 1-2 feet Full sun to partial shade. Average well-drained soil. Propagate by division, cuttings, seeds. Zones 4-5. Fresh leaves used in tea and cooking for their minty lemon taste.
Lemon Verbena
( Aloysia triphylla )		 5-10 feet Full sun. Rich moist soil. Propagate by cuttings. Zones 9-10 Dried leaves make a lemon-lime tea. Grows as houseplant in cold climates.
Marjoram, sweet
( Origanum majorana )		 1-2 feet Full sun. Light, dry well-drained soil. Propagate by division, cutting, seeds. Zones 9-10. Use fresh or dried leaves and flowers for a mild oregano flavor.
Mint
( Mentha spp. )		 1-3 feet Full sun to partial shade. Rich, moist, well-drained soil. Propagate by division, cuttings. Zones 5-10. Refreshing flavor in tea, jelly, candy. Attractive, but needs to kept in check.
Oregano
( Origanum spp. )		 1-2 feet Full sun. Average well drained soil. Propagate by division and cuttings. Zones 5-10. Used in cooking - tomato sauces, stews and egg dishes
Parsley
(Petroselinum crispum )		 1 - 1-1/2 feet Full sun to partial shade. Moderately rich moist well-drained soil. Propagate by seeds. Adds color and flavor to foods. Rich in Vitamins.
Rosemary
(Rosmarinus officinalis )		 5-6 feet Full sun to partial shade. Light well-drained soil. Propagate by division, cuttings. Zones 8-10 Used for flavoring lamb, beef, vegetables. Can be grown in containers.
Sage garden
( Salvia officinalis )		 12-30 inches Full sun. Moderate rich, well-drained soil. Propagate by division, cuttings, seeds. Zones 4-8. Used for flavoring with other herbs or alone. Leaves dry well.
Savory, Summer
( Satureja hortensis )		 1 - 1-1/2 feet Full sun. Summer savory grows in average soil and propagates by seed. Winter savory propagates by division, cuttings, seeds. Zones 6-10 Used in cooking. Blends well with other flavorings in vinegar, herb butters, and vegetables.
Scented Geranium
( Pelargonium spp. )		 1-3 feet Full sun. Rich humusy, dry, well drained soil. Propagate by cuttings. Can be used in teas or jellies.
Tarragon
( Artemisia dracunculus )		 1-2 feet Full to partial shade. Rich loamy or sandy well-drained soil. Propagate by division or cuttings. Zones 4-10. Adds flavor to fish, beef, lamb, vegetables and sauces.
Thyme, common
( Thymus vulgaris )		 9-12 inches Full sun to partial shade. Light well-drained soil. Propagate by division, cuttings. Zones 5-9 Adds delicate flavoring to lamb, veal, beef, butter and vegetables. Dried flowers repells insects.

Link to All about Herbs

Herbs and plants that repel bugs