Mint:

Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow. It just requires sunny or partially shaded spot in a moist and regular soil mix. Mint can be grown from stems cuttings (3 to 4 cm) that can be planted into the moist soil or water until cuttings develop roots.

Mint can be grown in pots or directly into the ground. Established plants can be harvested in from spring to fall. A number of varieties and hybrids of mint are available that differ in terms of height, fragrance, and texture of leaf. Besides commonly grown species of Mint, some unusual varieties can also be grown at home. These include: Mentha suaveolens (Apple Mint), Mentha x gracilis (Ginger Mint), Mentha ‘Berries and Cream’, and Mentha spicata ‘Tashkent’.

When growing different varieties, make sure that you plant them separately to preserve original fragrance of each variety.

Mint/ Image by Fernando Stankuns

Lemon Balm:

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is an aromatic herb that can be grown in pots as well as in the ground under bright sunlight. The plant is grown for its highly aromatic leaves that are source of essential oil used in aromatherapy and traditional remedies. The leaves are also added in preparing soothing herbal tea.

Oregano:

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is source of flavorful leaves that are dried and sprinkled on food for extra flavor. Oregano is quite an easy herb to grow in herb gardens. It requires sunny exposure, regular soil mix and moderate watering. Oregano can be grown in pots as ornamental plants with small pink flowers.

Chamomile:

Chamomile is another popular herb among herb gardeners because of its medicinal benefits. Chamomile bears feathery foliage and daisy-like flowers. The flowers are dried and used for preparing soothing chamomile tea.

Chamomile has both low growing and sprawling varieties. Commonly grown species is Chamaemelum nobile that grows under full to partial sun and requires slightly rich soil. Flowers can be plucked in summer.

Chamomile / Image by Lynne Hand

Sage:

Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a hardy herb with a bushy growth. The plant produces ornamental foliage which is used in many traditional recipes for culinary benefits. Sage can be propagated from cuttings planted in spring.

Sage is not fussy about growing needs and survives neglect; however, it should be protected from long spells of cold and frost.

Parsley:

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is grown widely in herb gardens as well as in commercial farms for its edible leaves that can be harvested almost all through the year. Parsley can be grown from seeds and grown under partial sun. It is a winter-hardy herb and grown well in the months of winter. When grown in pots, Parsley makes an excellent ornamental plant as well.

Parsley/ Image by Jane Starz

Thyme:

Like Sage, Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a hardy and drought tolerant herb that can be grown easily in a herb garden at home. It just requires a sunny exposure and well-drained soil. Thyme produces beautiful foliage which is used in salads and various traditional recipes. Besides culinary benefits, Thyme can be grown as an effective ground cover or as companion plant with various annuals and perennials.