When I first started gardening, I was convinced I didn’t have a green thumb. Every plant I brought home seemed to struggle, no matter how much I cared for it. But when I discovered herbs, everything changed. Herbs are forgiving, resilient, and best of all, useful. They’re the kind of plants that don’t just sit in a pot looking pretty (though they can be stunning in appearance too!); they add flavor to your meals, comfort to your teas, and even fragrance to your home.
If you’ve been wanting to grow something but feel intimidated, herbs are the perfect entry point. Some varieties are practically foolproof, thriving with minimal attention. In fact, these hardy little plants often reward you for doing less. So let’s talk about the easiest herbs you can grow in your backyard, even if you’re new to gardening or short on time.
Why Herbs Are the Perfect Starter Plants
Herbs don’t demand much. Most prefer simple conditions: a sunny spot, well-draining soil, and occasional watering. Unlike some garden vegetables that need staking, pruning, or endless vigilance against pests, herbs usually fend for themselves. Many are drought-tolerant, and some are perennial, meaning they’ll return year after year with little effort on your part.
But the real magic is how practical they are. Think of clipping fresh basil for pasta, snipping mint for iced tea, or drying oregano to sprinkle on homemade pizza. Growing herbs is a way to bring the garden directly into your kitchen, and it’s often the spark that makes people fall in love with gardening.
The Hardiest, Easiest Herbs to Grow
1. Mint
If you want a plant that almost guarantees success, start with mint. It grows vigorously in most climates, sometimes a little too vigorously. Plant it directly in the ground, and you might find it taking over your garden before you know it. To keep it under control, consider planting mint in pots or containers.
Mint thrives in partial shade or full sun and doesn’t mind less-than-perfect soil. You can use its fresh leaves in tea, cocktails, fruit salads, or even tossed with roasted vegetables. Varieties like spearmint and peppermint are classics, but don’t overlook fun varieties like chocolate mint or apple mint.
2. Rosemary
Rosemary is often described as “set it and forget it.” This woody perennial is happiest in warm, sunny spots and doesn’t need much water once it’s established. In fact, too much attention (especially overwatering) can do more harm than good. This herb is drought-tolerant, loves sun, and is naturally pest-resistant. You can use them by sprinkling them over roasted potatoes, breads, stews, or you can even steep them in oil for homemade infusions.
If you live in a colder climate, try growing rosemary in a pot so you can bring it indoors for winter.
3. Thyme
This tiny-leafed herb packs an aromatic punch and is just as tough as it is flavorful. Thyme thrives in full sun and poor soil, making it one of the easiest herbs for beginner gardeners.
This herb is a hardy perennial that requires little watering and can tolerate neglect. It’s perfect for seasoning poultry, soups, roasted veggies, and homemade stocks. Try lemon thyme for a bright, citrusy twist that pairs beautifully with fish and chicken!
4. Chives
Chives are one of those herbs that quietly do their thing in the background, sprouting every spring without any fuss. They’re part of the onion family, so their delicate green shoots taste like mild onions.
This herb is perennial, grows back after trimming and harvesting, and handles most soil types well. In addition to their shoots, their purple blossoms are also edible and make a gorgeous garnish. To use it, you can add chopped chives to baked potatoes, omelets, salads, or cream cheese spreads.
5. Oregano
Oregano is a Mediterranean staple that thrives on sunshine and dry conditions. It’s one of those herbs that doesn’t need pampering: leave it alone, and it will flourish! This herb is drought-tolerant, perennial in many regions, and spreads readily. You can use it to add a deep flavor to tomato sauces, pizzas, marinades, or dried and stored for year-round use. The Greek variety of oregano is especially flavorful and robust.
6. Parsley
Parsley might seem delicate, but it’s surprisingly hardy. Whether you grow curly-leaf or flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, you’ll find it adds freshness and vibrancy to just about any dish. It can tolerate both sun and partial shade, and grows well in containers. To use parsley, garnish it over soups, salads, sauces, and proteins like fish, meat, and poultry. Harvesting it regularly can also encourage new growth, so don’t shy away from the garnish!
7. Sage
Sage has a reputation for being tough, both in the garden and in the kitchen. With its silvery-green leaves and earthy aroma, it’s a beautiful, low-maintenance addition to your herb patch. It’s perennial, drought-resistant, and unbothered by most pests. You can add it to stuffing, roasted meats, butter sauces, and herbal teas. Pro tip: A little goes a long way in cooking, so one plant is usually more than enough.
8. Basil
Basil may not be quite as rugged as rosemary or thyme, but it’s still one of the easiest herbs to grow, especially in summer. It loves heat and sunshine, rewarding you with fragrant leaves all season long. Basil is a fast-growing annual that thrives in warm weather, and you can use it to make pesto, caprese salad, pasta, pizza, and even herbal teas. To make the best of growing it, pinch off flower buds as they appear to keep the plant producing fresh leaves.
How to Care for Your Backyard Herbs
- Watering: Most herbs prefer deep but infrequent watering. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings.
- Harvesting: Snip often. Regular harvesting keeps herbs productive and prevents them from getting woody or overgrown.
- Containers vs. Ground: If space is limited or if you’re growing herbs like mint that like to spread, use pots. Otherwise, tuck them into garden beds alongside vegetables or flowers.
- Sunlight: Aim for at least 6 hours of sunlight per day for most herbs.
Bringing Herbs Into Your Daily Life
One of the joys of growing herbs is how seamlessly they fit into everyday living. You don’t need a huge harvest to reap the benefits of growing them. A handful of basil leaves can add freshness to your weeknight dinner, a sprig of rosemary can elevate a simple loaf of bread, and a cup of fresh mint tea can soothe you after a long day.
Dry your herbs for winter use, freeze them in ice cube trays with olive oil, or bundle them into homemade gifts for friends. However you use them, herbs are a reminder that something small and simple can make life feel abundant.
These plants don’t demand perfection, and that’s what makes them perfect for beginners. Whether you’re clipping mint for your morning tea or sprinkling chives on scrambled eggs, you’ll find that herbs add more than flavor. They add a sense of accomplishment that grows right alongside them.
So if you’ve been waiting for the right moment to try gardening, this is it. Start small, start simple, and let your backyard (or balcony, or kitchen windowsill) fill with the scents and flavors of herbs that thrive with just a little love.
Disclaimer: Gardening advice on this site is shared for educational and recreational purposes only. Local climate, soil, and environmental factors can affect outcomes. Please research region-specific practices and consult gardening experts for personalized advice.