Herbs – Shop by Family

About Herbs – Shop by Family

Herbs – Shop by Family grow in full shade, full sun, partial shade positions. The figures below are the ones on the packets in this group; each product page carries the exact numbers for that variety.

When to plant

Planting season varies across this group, so follow the season stated on the product page. Seed can be started indoors ahead of the season or sown straight into prepared ground once it has warmed. The seed needs a cold, moist period before it will break dormancy: sow in late fall and let winter do the work, or chill it in damp medium in the refrigerator first. Soaking or nicking the seed coat before sowing speeds up and evens out germination. Hardy in zones 1 to 12 — your local frost dates decide the exact week.

Where to plant

Choose a site in full shade, full sun, partial shade. Water needs are average, high, low once the plants are established. Free-draining soil matters more than rich soil; seed sown into ground that stays wet rots before it germinates.

How to plant

Follow the depth given on the product page; it differs between the varieties in this group. This seed needs light to germinate, so press it onto the surface and firm it in rather than burying it. Water gently to settle the soil, then keep the surface evenly moist until seedlings or shoots appear. Indoor starts do best in warmth and bright light; harden the seedlings off over a week before planting out.

How to care

Keep watering average, high, low, at the base of the plant rather than over the leaves. In zones 1 to 12 these come back each year: let the foliage die down naturally after flowering, since that is what feeds next season's growth.

Find your growing zone All planting guides