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8 easy and must-have herbs to grow at home

If you’re a cooking enthusiast or fancy yourself as a bit of an at-home chef, then you’ve probably dropped some serious coin on expensive supermarket herbs in the past.

8 easy and must-have herbs to grow at home

21 September 2021

If you’re a cooking enthusiast or fancy yourself as a bit of an at-home chef, then you’ve probably dropped some serious coin on expensive supermarket herbs in the past.

The good news is that growing herbs at home is both affordable and easy, you just need to know what to plant and where.

With that in mind, here’s our guide to eight of the easiest herbs to grow at home and some essential things you should know before you get started.

1.     Coriander

When embarking on a journey to learn how to grow herbs in pots, coriander is your go-to. While it also grows well in the ground, coriander makes for an excellent container mate for other plants and herbs. It is a pungent herb that complements Indian and Asian dishes.

Summer is not ideal for coriander to grow but spring, winter and autumn should see your coriander plant in full bloom. This herb likes sunny spots in the garden, well-drained soil, regular watering and fertilising.

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Picture: Pexels

2.     Basil

Delicious basil is a leafy and fragrant herb that grows beautifully in full sunlight. Basil loves moist but well-drained soil and requires lots of pruning when it’s in full season.

Growing basil is easier than you think once you get the hang of it. When a branch of your basil has seven or eight leaves, it’s time to give it a prune to allow for new growth.

Basil works well in Italian dishes and can be made into pesto pasta sauces or added to salads.

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Picture: Pexels

3.     Rosemary

Rosemary is a hearty herb that works well with winter foods like soups, stews and baked potatoes, and is arguably the easiest herb to grow. 

If you plant it in a good spot, it will provide you with more rosemary than you’ll ever be able to cook with.

The plants can grow quite tall and wide but can still live happily in large pots and containers. It can survive well in hot and dry climates so be careful not to over water or fertilise it.

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Picture: Pexels

4.     Parsley

If you want to discover how to grow herbs inside, or more importantly, what herbs are easy to grow inside, then look no further than parsley. Not unlike other herbs, parsley flourishes in sunny areas, but it’s a hardy, versatile herb, making it one of the easiest herbs to grow in the kitchen. 

There are two basic varieties of parsley – flat-leaf and curly. Both are excellent for cooking, particularly in Italian dishes, and both will grow well in most gardens or containers.

Parsley likes to be planted in spring and needs a moderate to low amount of water and fertilisation.

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Picture: Pexels

5.     Lavender

While lavender isn’t technically a herb, it’s still a wonderful plant to grow as part of an edible garden. You can use it for baking, making your drawers smell sweet and for adding fragrance to bathroom products.

Lavender loves the full sun so make sure you can accommodate its needs before you plant it. It also likes a well-drained pot, but give it lots of water at least once a week.

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Picture: Pexels

If your lavender is growing well it will need pruning regularly to keep it under control – lavender thrives under the right conditions, so make sure you keep an eye on it.

6.     Chives

Chives like the cold weather so winter is when you’ll get the best out of your chive plants.

If you plant chives under the right conditions they can overwhelm your garden so make sure you keep an eye on any neighbouring plants. They love full sun, cool weather and moist soil that’s fertile and well-drained.

Chives are a delicious addition to winter soups and are also fantastic when stirred into dips and sauces.

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Picture: Pexels

7.     Mint

Keen to start growing herbs and seeing your produce flourish fast? Fragrant and fast-growing, mint is an easy-to-grow and very useful addition to an at-home herb garden.

Mint likes a nice mixture of sun and shade and thrives well in gardens, pots and containers. Make sure you place mint plants about 40cm apart to allow for rapid growth and to discourage the roots from overcrowding.

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Picture: Unsplash

Mint can be used in a variety of different dishes including salads, stir-frys and even in hot drinks. Who doesn’t love a healthy peppermint tea straight from the garden!

8.     Sage

Anyone that loves roast chicken or roast pork needs to be growing sage, and it is a fabulous plant to have in the garden for a range of dishes and cooking styles.

It’s easy to grow in pots and the flowers are bee-attracting, so will go a long way in helping not just your garden, but all the gardens in the neighbourhood.

Sage loves full sun and well-drained soil. It goes well in all kinds of dishes from roast pork and chicken dishes to scrambled eggs or gnocchi. You can even try throwing the stunning purple flowers in a salad for a colourful twist.

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Picture: Pexels

Not only can you grow this beauty to eat but it’s also great for smudging, which has become a popular way to purify your home and release negative energy. 

Originally published on realestate.com.au as ‘8 easiest and must-have herbs to grow at home

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