In my ideal world, I would have a full vegetable garden– raised beds overflowing with tomatoes, greens, and herbs that I could pull out and cut while I cooked dinner. But right now, I live in an apartment in Portland with very little outdoor space, which means my gardening ambitions have had to get a little more creative.
Luckily, herbs are incredibly forgiving. You don’t need a garden, or even a lot of space, to grow them. A single planter on a balcony, a few pots by the kitchen window, or a small corner of a garden bed can produce more fresh herbs than you’ll know what to do with. And once you start cooking with herbs you’ve grown yourself, it’s hard to go back. A handful of basil mixed into pasta, mint poured into sparkling water, or dill scattered over roasted vegetables make everyday meals a little more special.
If you’re curious about herbs to grow at home, here are five of the easiest to use, whether you plant them in a garden, patio planter, or sunny kitchen window.
The Best Herbs to Grow at Home, Even in a Small Space
If you’re starting an herb garden at home, the goal is simple: choose herbs that are easy to grow and that you’ll actually use in your cooking. These five herbs are incredibly versatile, forgiving to beginners, and adaptable whether you’re planting a garden bed, filling a window box, or growing herbs indoors.
Basil
If there’s one herb that complements summer cooking, it’s basil. It thrives in warm weather and grows quickly, meaning you can harvest it often throughout the season.
Ideal for: Sunny outdoor flower beds or planters
How to use it: Basil is best enjoyed fresh. Think pesto, caprese salads, sandwiches and pastas drizzled with olive oil and tomatoes.
What to do:
- Strawberry Caprese Salad
- Vanilla Panna Cotta with Strawberries, Basil and Almonds
- Summer spaghetti with tomatoes, burrata and basil
Mint
Mint is one of those herbs that grows almost too well. In a garden bed it will happily spread wherever it can reach, which is why many gardeners prefer to grow it in containers. The advantage? Once this starts, you’ll have more mint than you know what to do with.
Ideal for: Outdoor planters or pots
How to use it: Mint instantly brightens drinks and salads. I love adding it to citrus sparkling water, tossing it into cereal bowls, or using it in sauces like tzatziki.
What to do:
- Chicken Lime Tacos with Jicama, Avocado and Mint
- Grilled Zucchini with Chilean Mint Vinaigrette
- Pea salad with mint and microgreens
Rosemary
Rosemary is one of the hardiest herbs you can grow. It is woody and shrubby, which means that once established it can last for years with very little maintenance.
Ideal for: Backyard gardens or large outdoor pots
How to use it: Rosemary shines when cooked. Add it to roasted vegetables, marinades, or infuse it in olive oil or honey.
What to do:
- Roasted Cauliflower and Rosemary White Bean Soup
- Zucchini, Rosemary, Apple and Ginger Bread
- Honey Nut Roasted Squash with Warm Honey, Pecans and Rosemary
Coriander
Cilantro is a bit polarizing – some people love it, others think it tastes like soap (not their fault… genetics play a role) – but if you’re in the first camp, it’s one of the most useful herbs to grow at home.
Ideal for: Small garden beds or outdoor planters
How to use it: It is best to add fresh coriander at the end of cooking. Sprinkle it on tacos, cereal bowls, soups or hummus.
What to do:
- Green chutney
- Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with Cilantro Pesto
- Sheet pan chicken with Japanese sweet potatoes and tahini drizzle
Dill
Dill seems very spring-like to me. It is light, fresh and goes wonderfully with vegetables, fish and creamy sauces.
Ideal for: Garden beds or sunny kitchen windows
How to use it: Chop dill into yogurt sauces, spread it over roasted potatoes, or add it to salads and seafood dishes.
What to do:
- Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Garlic Tahini, Chimichurri and Dill
- Smoked Salmon Breakfast Bowl
- Fennel salad
How to Grow Herbs at Home (No Matter Your Space)
If you have a garden: Plant herbs along the edges of raised beds or next to vegetables. Most herbs like full sun and well-drained soil.
If you have a small outdoor space: A single planter can support multiple herbs. Basil, mint and coriander are particularly popular growing in pots.
If you are growing herbs indoors: Choose a sunny window and pots with drainage holes. Basil, mint and dill tend to adapt well to indoor growing.
Takeaways
Growing herbs at home is one of the easiest ways to bring more freshness to everyday cooking. Even a few small plants can completely change the way you cook: suddenly you’re turning to fresh basil, snipping mint for a drink, or scattering dill over dinner.
Start with one or two herbs that you use most often. Once you see how easy they are to grow, it’s hard not to keep adding more.
This article was last updated on March 21, 2026 to include new information.
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