I am obsessed with herbs! I am always trying new ones, some with success, others a complete failure. Different herbs require different climates, different soil consistency, a multitude of factors. I take advantage of the experts at my local nursery to help me with my choices. My failures are normally a result of ignoring those experts and thinking I know better! Wrong! But…I have learned a lot over the years. With that in mind, I have put together a list of what the experts believe are the 10 best herbs for beginners. Through trial and error, I have found them to be right!
Despite my talk of failures, most herbs are extremely easy to grow. Likewise there are several that have done quite well despite my unwitting attempts to destroy them. My favorite as a beginner is still my favorite today. The mint plant tops my list.
MINT 
My favorite of the 10 best herbs for beginners for indoor or outdoor gardens is the mint plant. It is a fast growing plant but very invasive. Therefore, it is ideal for containers but tends to overtake the garden if planted directly in the ground. There are many varieties to choose from and the smell is consistent with the name. Sweet mint, peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint, and orange just to name a few. Most mints like a moist soil and full sunlight to partial shade. Mint is a great plant for a beginner as it is so easy and almost impossible to destroy!
BASIL 
Basil is a sun worshipper. As such, while it can be grown inside on sunny windowsill, it will thrive outdoors. A moist but well draining soil, many hours of sunlight, and a good feeding now and then and you’ll have a winner! Basil comes in many varieties. Sweet basil and Genovese being most common but lemon basil is a must if you like pesto!
CHIVES 
Chives are another full sun loving plant. They are very drought tolerant but in their first year its important to pamper them a bit. They will do best in a moist, well draining soil and fertilizer once a month will do wonders. While there are actually several different species, common chives or garlic chives are the most common for home gardening. They will normally flower mid-summer and you will want to remove the flowers at season’s end. They are very pretty but if left on the plant after blooming, they will spread seeds all over the garden. Keep in mind though that the flowers are edible as well.
PARSLEY 
Whether you plant curly leaf parsley or a flat leaf, it will do well with a lot of sunshine. They can be grown indoors in a window that has plenty of light. I like having them in the kitchen but they do best when taken outside for a few hours a day. They need a slightly moistened soil but if potted, make sure to drain the saucer after watering. If their roots are left in water, the plant will yellow within days.
OREGANO 
Oregano is a great low maintenance herb and a must have for the beginner . It performs well inside or out. Like most herbs, it does best in full sun. I like having this herb in my kitchen garden and it does quite well as long as it has some outdoor time as well. The biggest mistake made with this herb is overwatering. Water when the top is dry to the touch. This herb is also easy to harvest and dry for later use. For these reasons, oregano tops the first five of the 10 best herbs for beginners list.
SAGE 
Sage can be grown inside or in your outdoor garden. Well drained soil is so important because the young plant needs moisture. But like oregano, they cannot tolerate their roots in standing water so always empty the saucer on your indoor plant. Once the plant is established, watering once or twice a week is all that’s needed.
ROSEMARY 
Rosemary in an outdoor garden is as easy as they come. In most locations it’s a “plant and forget” kind of herb. It does best with a well drained loamy soil but it is extremely tolerant in almost any condition. Rosemary can flourish inside as well but it does need its daily dose of sunshine. It should be allowed to dry out between waterings to avoid a mildew buildup. If planted in containers outside, a well established plant can winter inside in a sunny spot without a problem.
LAVENDER 
Indoor, outdoor, in the ground, in a pot…GOTTA have this one!. Lavender is a Mediterranean native so a lot of sunshine is required. While I am not the biggest fan of adding lavender to my recipes, I do love to dry it for wreaths and craft projects. As long as you make sure to give it ample sunshine & sandy soil, lavender is really quite easy. Its blooms will add a wonderful scent to your patio through the summer and there are several variations that can thrive most anywhere. Checking with a local nursery is a must if you hope to grow it as a perennial.
THYME 
Thyme is also a Mediterranean herb and needs much the same growing conditions as lavender. Planted outdoors in a hot, dry environment will see your thyme grow with little attention at all. Some varieties can do well in a pot indoors in a sunny spot. I have had the best luck growing English thyme in my indoor garden. I do tend to move it to the patio several times a week to soak up the afternoon sun. It is also best to water only when it is completely dry.
LEMONGRASS 
Lemongrass is a very versatile plant and can easily be grown indoors or out. It is considered an ornamental grass in most climates and is often used by landscapers. It is also a favorite herb in most kitchens. Sunlight is a must for this plant so several hours outside are required for it to flourish. Unlike most ornamental grasses, lemongrass is not drought tolerant. It needs to be watered often inside and out.
LEMON BALM 
Last but certainly not least on my list of the 10 best herbs for beginners is lemon balm. This could just be the least “picky” of all the herbs listed here. It will adjust to almost any soil although it’s preference is for a well drained soil as with most herbs. It will grow outside in both full sun or partial shade as well. I always have a pot in my kitchen for the scent. The leaves can be added to teas, salads, or any dish that you want to add a little “tart” flavoring to.
I am just in the planning stages of my herb garden this year. I will be doing more container gardening than normal. Having a new puppy around, that seems to be the smartest way to go!
I will be doing several posts on herbs this spring. My companion planting guide will be posted later this week. I hope you’ll sign up below and follow along! Don’t forget to confirm your submission when asked. My Welcome email will follow shortly with the password to all the free printables in my library!