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In my ideal world, I would have a full vegetable garden – beds full of tomatoes, greens and herbs that I could walk outside and harvest while making dinner. But right now, I live in an apartment in Portland with very little outdoor space, which means my gardening ambitions have to be a little more creative.
Fortunately, herbs are incredibly forgiving. You don’t need a backyard or even much space to grow them. A planter on the balcony, a few pots near 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 the herbs you grow, it’s hard to go back. A handful of basil added to pasta, mint added to sparkling water, or dill scattered over roasted vegetables somehow makes everyday meals a little more special.
If you’re curious about herbs to grow at home, these five are the easiest ones to get started — whether you’re planting them in a backyard garden, on a patio, or in a sunny kitchen windowsill.
The Best Herbs to Grow at Home—Even in Small Spaces
If you’re starting a home herb garden, 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 for beginners, and adaptable, whether you’re planting a garden bed, filling a planter, or growing herbs indoors.
basil
If there’s one herb that makes summer cooking perfect, it’s basil. It thrives in warm climates and grows rapidly, which means you can harvest it frequently throughout the season.
Best for: Garden beds or sunny outdoor planters
How to use it: Basil is best enjoyed fresh. Think pesto, caprese salad, sandwiches and pasta made with olive oil and tomatoes.
What to make:
peppermint
Mint is one of those herbs that grows well almost anywhere. It will happily spread wherever it can reach in the garden bed, which is why many gardeners like to grow it in containers. Reverse? Once it gets running, you’ll have more mints than you know what to do with.
Best for: outdoor planters or pots
How to use it: Mint instantly brightens up drinks and salads. I love mixing it into sparkling water with citrus fruits, adding it to grain bowls, or using it in sauces like tzatziki.
What to make:
rosemary
Rosemary is one of the most resilient herbs you can grow. It is woody and bushy, meaning that once established it can last for years with very little maintenance.
Best for: Backyard garden or large outdoor pots
How to use it: Rosemary shines when cooked. Add it to roasted vegetables, marinades, or drizzle with olive oil or honey.
What to make:
Cilantro
Cilantro is a bit polarizing – some people love it, others think it tastes soapy (it’s 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.
Best 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, grain bowls, soups or hummus.
What to make:
dill
Dill sounds very springy to me. It’s light, refreshing and pairs beautifully with vegetables, fish and creamy sauces.
Best for: Garden beds or sunny kitchen windows
How to use it: Chop dill into yogurt sauce, spread over roasted potatoes, or add to salads and seafood dishes.
What to make:
How to Grow Herbs at Home (No Matter Your Space)
If you have a garden: Plant herbs at the edges of raised beds or next to vegetables. Most herbs prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
If you have a small outdoor space: A single plantation can support many herbs. Basil, mint and cilantro are particularly pleasing to grow in pots.
If you are growing herbs indoors: Choose a pot with a sunny window and drainage holes. Basil, mint and dill are suitable for growing indoors.
takeaway
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 reaching for fresh basil, chopping mint for drinks, or scattering dill over dinner.
Start with one or two herbs that you use frequently. Once you see how easy they are to grow, it’s hard not to add more.
This post was last updated on March 21, 2026 to include new insights.
