37 Perennial Herbs: Plant Them Once and Harvest Forever

If you ask me, no garden is complete without an herb or two. Not only do these plants add beauty to your landscape, but they also offer culinary, medicinal, and aromatic applications. 

Plus, many herbs are low-maintenance and perfect for beginner gardeners, especially if you plant perennials. These plants come back year after year, meaning you can plant them once and enjoy their harvests for years to come.

Although people prize ginseng for its medicinal roots, it’s easy to mistake the above-ground portions for many other common forest plants. Ginseng produces leaves containing five individual leaflets and sends up clusters of bright red berries in the summer.

If you want to cultivate American ginseng at home, plant it in an area with rich, moist soil and lots of shade. While you can harvest cultivated ginseng at any time, waiting at least five years will lead to larger roots.

Anise Hyssop

	botanical name Agastache foeniculum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-5 feet
	hardiness zones 5-9

Although it’s easy to think this plant is related to hyssop (Hyssopus genus) and anise (Pimpinella anisum), it actually belongs to the mint family. The plants produce tell-tale square stems but exude a much different aroma than peppermint and applemint. As you might expect, the green leaves and bright purple flowers have a smell and flavor reminiscent of black licorice.

Since anise hyssop is native to much of the northern United States, it’s one of my favorite plants to mix with hardy perennial flowers like coneflowers and rudbeckia. The clusters of purple flowers become covered with native bees and wasps during the summer, creating a harmonious buzzing.

Anise hyssop seedlings require regular water while they’re small, but they’re easy to care for plants once they’re well rooted in the ground. The plants stand proud and tall without staking and can tolerate a wide range of soil types. Although anise hyssop isn’t invasive, it easily spreads since it readily self-sows and produces rhizomes.

Bay Laurel

	botanical name Laurus nobilis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8-12 feet indoors, 30-60 feet outdoors
	hardiness zones 8-10

When you think of herbs, you probably imagine tender greens like basil and cilantro or small woody shrubs like rosemary and sage. But some perennial herbs arrive in larger packages. Bay laurel, the plant that produces the bay leaves we toss into soups and stews, grows as a medium shrub to a large tree.

Since it’s native to the Mediterranean, it can’t survive the winters in much of the United States. However, it grows well in containers, so you can easily plant it in a pot and move it indoors before cold temperatures arrive. Just make sure to slowly acclimate potted plants to their new environment to limit stress.

These plants are slow growers, so don’t worry if they seem to remain the same size month after month. Bright light, moist and well-draining soil, and warm temperatures will all keep the plant happy and encourage it to put on new growth.

Bronze Fennel

	botanical name Foeniculum vulgare ‘Purpureum’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-5 feet
	hardiness zones 4-9

Most people imagine thick, juicy, anise-flavored bulbs when thinking of fennel. And while this classic culinary fennel has its place in gardens and kitchens, I think bronze fennel deserves recognition. This herb doesn’t produce thick bulbs but sends out beautiful bronze fronds with a sweet anise flavor.

As the season goes on, the plants grow upward and eventually produce beautiful umbels of teeny yellow flowers. Insects of all types flock to these blooms, so bronze fennel is a great addition to pollinator gardens and an excellent attractant of beneficial predators. Plus, it’s a great host plant for the eastern black swallowtail caterpillars.

Bronze fennel typically dies back to the ground in the winter, but it reemerges in the spring. So don’t worry if your plants seem to disappear when cold weather arrives.

Catnip

	botanical name Nepeta cataria
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-7

You probably know catnip for its ability to send cats into a trance or give them a sudden boost of energy, but did you know this plant produces beautiful flowers and can be used to create a relaxing tea? When you consider these multiple benefits, you may be more inclined to add this perennial herb to your garden.

Since catnip remains on the shorter side and easily spreads across empty ground, I like to use it to fill in empty banks and gaps between herbs like rosemary and lavender. You can also plant it in pots if you’re worried about it taking over your other plants.

Roman Chamomile

	botanical name Chamaemelum nobile
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-6 inches
	hardiness zones 4-9

When people ask me about my favorite perennial herbs to add to the garden, Roman chamomile goes to the top of the list. Although this species doesn’t produce as many flowers as German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), it’s a perennial that comes back year after year.

Roman chamomile produces lacy green foliage that grows in a low and creeping manner, making it a suitable option for a ground cover. Plus, it can even tolerate light foot traffic! It sends up small white and yellow flowers throughout the warmer seasons and will continue to produce new flowers if you harvest the old ones.

Once the plants are well-established, they can tolerate drought. The ideal amount of sun depends on your location; plants in warm climates prefer partial shade, while those in cooler climates can tolerate full sun.

Chives

	botanical name Allium schoenoprasum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-18 inches
	hardiness zones 4-8

Whether you want to whip up a batch of cheddar and chive biscuits or hope to douse your home-grown lettuce with homemade ranch dressing, chives are a must-have. And while you can buy clamshells of shriveled chives each time you want to use this onion-like herb, you can also easily grow chives at home. Plus, you’ll not only enjoy the flavorful greens but also have access to the beautiful purple flowers!

Don’t be afraid to cut chives a few inches above ground when you harvest. While individual leaves will regrow, the plants will continue to send out new leaves from their base. Cutting low to the ground keeps the plants looking neat and encourages them to focus on sending out new leaves.

If you hope to harvest edible chive flowers, be patient. Plants typically send up their spherical purple flowers in the late spring and produce new flowers throughout the summer.

Chocolate Mint

	botanical name Mentha x piperita ‘Chocolate’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 5-9

I first came into contact with chocolate mint while working at a farm in Virginia. Each week, we cut back the mint and sent the harvest to a local gelato shop for their chocolate mint creations! Since then, I’ve encouraged others to add this unique mint to their gardens.

The name of this plant doesn’t lie; it has a standard mint flavor with an unmistakable hint of chocolate. I like steeping the leaves in cream for a chocolate mint ice cream or using them to brew a tasty and refreshing tea.

Like most types of mint, chocolate mint grows aggressively. If you don’t want to risk the plant taking over your entire garden, plant it in a container.

Common Comfrey

	botanical name Symphytum officinale
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

Gardeners plant comfrey for numerous reasons. Some people love the purple and blue flowers that attract pollinators, while others tout the benefits of using the fast-growing plant as a green manure and ingredient in compost tea. People interested in medicinal herbs consider this a must-have in their gardens due to the plant’s ability to relieve pain and inflammation.

The plants can readily spread via seeds, and individual plants quickly expand in width. Therefore, you should keep a close eye on your comfrey plants if you don’t want them taking over the rest of your garden.

Common Oregano

	botanical name Origanum vulgare
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

At home in cuisines ranging from Italian to Mexican, common oregano is a versatile herb in the kitchen. You can sprinkle it on pizza, mix it into marinades, and use it to add a rich and woodsy element to braised meats. And no matter how you plan to utilize this herb, there’s no arguing that fresh oregano is better than the dried herbs that have been sitting in your cupboard for years.

While there are many different types of oregano, people often grow common oregano for culinary use. This herb is easy to grow if you provide it with well-draining soil and adequate airflow. Although these plants can tolerate a few hours of shade, they prefer full sun. Not only does this light encourage new growth, but it also helps dry moisture that can lead to fungal diseases.

Since oregano plants benefit from regular trims, don’t be afraid to harvest the leaves every week or so. Pinching off the two few inches of stems will provide you with tasty leaves and also encourage the plants to develop a compact, bushy shape.

Common Sage

	botanical name Salvia officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

With hundreds of different sage species and varieties available, you have your fair share of choices. But if you’re looking for a type of sage that blends well with butternut squash and adds an irreplaceable flavor to stuffing, common sage is your best bet.

This perennial herb prefers dry and well-draining soil, so keep it away from wet and compacted areas. Since sage plants grow slowly during their first few years, harvest no more than one-fifth of the plant at a single time. You can take larger harvests as the plants mature.

English Thyme

	botanical name Thymus vulgaris
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-12 inches
	hardiness zones 5-9

English thyme provides the spicy, woodsy flavor many people think of when they imagine thyme. Like all types of thyme, English thyme prefers well-draining and loose soil, so consider planting in a pot if you’re dealing with compacted or wet soil in your garden.

Although the plants hate wet soil, they can tolerate moderate drought once established. In warm areas, English thyme remains evergreen. It dies back in the winter in colder areas but reemerges the following spring.

Feverfew

	botanical name Tanacetum parthenium
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones 5-8

Feverfew’s small white and yellow flowers make it look a lot like chamomile, but the plants’ foliage makes it easy to tell these two herbs apart. While chamomile has lacy foliage, feverfew produces wider, serrated leaves.

Although feverfew’s beautiful flowers make it a welcome addition to any garden, people also appreciate the plant’s medicinal uses. Research shows that plants have anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and fever-reducing properties and can display anticancer activity. 

Garlic Chives

	botanical name Allium tuberosum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

When you look at garlic chives from a distance, they closely resemble common chives. But a closer inspection reveals flattened leaves and a distinctly garlicky fragrance. The plants also produce clusters of small white flowers rather than purple blooms.

You can grow and harvest garlic chives much like regular chives. The plants grow in clumps and continually regrow after you cut their leaves close to the ground. Garlic chives remain evergreen in warm climates but die back during cold winters.

Greek Oregano

	botanical name Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-9 inches
	hardiness zones 4-8

While Greek oregano may look very similar to other types of oregano, you just need to taste a leaf to recognize the differences. Greek oregano packs a powerful punch that Italian and Greek chefs prize. Some people say the taste is strong enough to temporarily numb your tongue!

This herb produces stems covered with small green leaves resembling marjoram. But when you look closely, you’ll see teeny, tiny hairs covering the plant’s leaves.

Like all types of oregano, this plant can develop woody stems as it ages. These woody pieces aren’t problematic, but feel free to remove the stems at ground level during the fall. The plants will send out fresh new growth the following year and continue to provide you with flavorful leaves.

Horehound

	botanical name Marrubium vulgare
	sun requirements Full sun or partial shade
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 3-7

Horehound is famous for its use in the hard candies of the same name, but people also use it to create teas and tinctures. The leaves taste something like a mixture of root beer and black licorice. 

Horehound doesn’t require much care to thrive, and since it’s a member of the mint family, it can spread rapidly. Planting it in a container helps keep it contained and is a good idea if you have a garden filled with other valuable and cherished perennials.

Lavender

	botanical name Lavandula spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones 5-9

When most people think of flowering herbs, lavender is one of the first plants that pops into their heads. And how could they not think of these vibrant purple blooms that impart an incredible aroma?

Since different lavender species vary in hardiness, bloom time, and fragrance, take a moment to learn about each type of lavender. For example, English lavender produces the most fragrant flowers, but French lavender has a longer bloom time.

Regardless of the species you choose, plant your lavender in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Although lavender plants can tolerate drought and nutrient-poor soil, they hate sitting in water for even a few hours.

Lemon Balm

	botanical name Melissa officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 3-7

A few different herbs impart a lemony fragrance and flavor, but lemon balm might be the easiest to grow. As a member of the mint family, it grows quickly and spreads easily—even if you don’t provide it with the best care. Planting in a pot is a good idea if you hope to keep it contained.

Since lemon balm is a quick grower, don’t hesitate to regularly harvest the plant’s tender leaves. Both fresh and dry foliage provide a bright flavor to herbal teas and pair nicely with peppermint and chamomile.

Lemon Thyme

	botanical name Thymus citriodorus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-12 inches
	hardiness zones 5-8

If you’re looking for a low-growing plant for a sunny and well-draining spot, lemon thyme is an excellent choice. I like tucking the plants into crevices in rock gardens and placing them between large pavers. Although lemon thyme can’t tolerate a ton of foot traffic, it won’t mind a few footsteps every now and then. Plus, it will fill the air with a wonderfully citrus scent when brushed!

Lemon thyme works well in both sweet and savory culinary applications. Try sprinkling some on roasted vegetables or fish and mixing a few leaves into a loaf of lemon cake. And if spending time in the kitchen isn’t your idea of fun, you can hang a few springs to brighten your home with a bright scent.

Lemon Verbena

	botanical name Aloysia citrodora
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-4 feet
	hardiness zones 8-10

If you’re looking for a perennial herb with a citrus flavor but are afraid of lemon balm’s aggressive tendencies, check out lemon verbena. This plant grows as a small to medium woody shrub and produces many intensely flavored leaves.

While lemon verbena is a perennial, it can only overwinter in zones eight and above. So, if you want to enjoy this plant for multiple years but live in a cold climate, plant it in a pot and bring it indoors in the winter. Potted plants typically remain smaller than in-ground plants, but the plants will still provide you with plenty of bright leaves to use in teas.

Lovage

	botanical name Levisticum officinale
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-6 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

Lovage looks a lot like celery, but it’s a perennial plant prized for its flavorful leaves. You can also use its seeds and stems to flavor dishes.

In most areas of the country, lovage dies back in the winter and reemerges in the spring. You’ll first spot slender stems covered in green leaves. As the season goes on, the stalks grow taller and eventually produce umbels of yellow flowers that attract tiny insects like hoverflies and green lacewings.

Marjoram

	botanical name Origanum majorana
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 9-10

Like many herbs, marjoram provides multiple uses and benefits. The small, oregano-like leaves liven up marinades, sauces, and dressings with a woodsy flavor, and the plant has proven anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Regardless of how you plan to use marjoram, growing at home is easy.

Native to the areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, marjoram prefers lots of sun, warm temperatures, and well-draining soil. If you live in a growing zone below zone 9, the plants probably won’t survive the winter outdoors. However, an easy way to get around this problem is to plant marjoram in pots that you can bring indoors during cooler weather.

Although marjoram plants don’t require much care, they benefit from an annual trim. Use a sharp pair of pruning shears to remove the top few inches of growth during the spring or summer. If you don’t have immediate plans for the fresh leaves, you can easily dry them for future use.

Marsh Mallow

	botanical name Althea officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-6 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Not to be confused with the sugary white treats used to make s’mores, marsh mallow is a perennial herb native to parts of Europe and Africa. People have used the plants for years to thicken soups and stews and soothe irritated mouths and throats.

The plants can tolerate various soil types and moisture levels but are happiest in fertile, moist soil. When happy, they’ll produce tall stems covered in large, alternately arranged leaves. Large white and pink flowers appear at the tops of the stems in late summer or early fall.

Patchouli

	botanical name Pogostemon cablin
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones 10-11

Even if you don’t recognize the name patchouli, you’ve probably smelled it in perfumes, incense, and potpourri. Humans have long extracted the essential oil from the plant’s leaves and stems and then used it to add a woodsy fragrance to all sorts of products.

Although Southeast Asia is home to most of the world’s patchouli production, you can also grow this fragrant herb in your backyard or on your patio. Provide these plants with fertile soil, regular water, and warm temperatures to help them thrive. Since they can’t tolerate below-freezing temperatures, consider growing them in pots that you can move indoors during the winter.

Peppermint

	botanical name Mentha x piperita
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones 5-9

Many gardeners have a love-hate relationship with peppermint. The invigorating leaves add a refreshing touch to sun tea, cucumber salads, and cocktails, but the plants also have a tendency to take over your garden before you realize what’s happening. However, if you keep peppermint’s aggressive nature in mind, it’s a welcome addition to your garden.

Peppermint grows well in various soil types, but it prefers well-draining soil. Although mature plants can survive periods of drought, keep the soil moist in the first few weeks following transplanting.

If you notice the plant is growing outside of the area where you want it, take action ASAP. Remove the underground rhizomes and plant them in the trash or compost pile (these rhizomes can sprout into new plants, so be careful about where you toss them). Peppermint will continue to spread if you let it, so contain it with landscape edging or buried rocks. And remember, you can always grow peppermint in pots!

Purple Coneflower

	botanical name Echinacea purpurea
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-4 feet
	hardiness zones 3-8

Also known by its genus name Echinacea, purple coneflower is one of the most popular native plants and perennial herbs. The plants provide food and shelter for birds, butterflies, wasps, and small mammals, and the roots serve as a way to lessen the severity of illnesses. However, not all scientists agree on whether or not the plants are effective at improving our health.

Regardless, purple coneflowers are a beautiful addition to just about any flower or herb garden. They can tolerate poor soil, drought, and intense sun, and they fill the garden with beautiful purple blooms. Although you may be tempted to clear the plant’s flower stems when they dry up in the fall, consider leaving the hollow stems for overwintering bees and caterpillars.

Rosemary

	botanical name Salvia rosmarinus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4-5 feet
	hardiness zones 7-11

Growing up in Pennsylvania, I was used to delicious albeit humble rosemary plants. Since the severity of the winter cold varied year by year, my family was never sure if our rosemary plants would survive the winter. But when I moved further south, I realized just how impressive rosemary plants could be!

As long as you live in a warm enough area, rosemary plants can survive for over ten years and grow into small to medium shrubs. Planting rosemary in well-draining soil and full sun will help encourage the plants to remain healthy and put on new growth. Regularly trimming the tips of each stem helps promote bushy growth.

Not only does rosemary produce fragrant leaves that work well in culinary and aromatherapy applications, but it also sends out cute purple flowers. If you find your plant isn’t looking very good, you can easily propagate a new plant from cuttings.

Sorrel

	botanical name Rumex spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-5 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

Sorrel isn’t the most popular herb in the United States, but those who like it can’t get enough of it. While there are multiple sorrel species, all these plants produce greens with a sharp, citrusy flavor. People use these leaves to brighten marinades and salads and create a unique sorrel soup.

Some commonly cultivated species include garden sorrel (Rumex acetosa) and French sorrel (Rumex scutatus). These species grow in a clumping form, with multiple leaves emerging from the same base. Tender leaves are the best for salads, while tougher, older leaves work well in sauces and teas.

Spearmint

	botanical name Mentha spicata
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 4-10

It’s easy to think all the different mint species and varieties are the same, but each one brings unique qualities to the garden and kitchen. Spearmint stands out with its spear-shaped leaves and unique flavor. Although the leaves are spicy, they are low in the menthol compound that mint plants are known for.

Since spearmint can spread via underground rhizomes, plant it in a pot or planter if you want to keep it contained. Feel free to harvest mint sprigs anytime, but make sure to give the plants a good trim at least once a year.

Stevia

	botanical name Stevia rebaudiana
	sun requirements Full to partial sun
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 10-11

In the last ten years, stevia packets have popped up in coffee shops and grocery stores nationwide. However, people have been using this plant as a natural sweetener for hundreds of years. Since stevia doesn’t actually contain any sugar, it’s a low-calorie way to add sweetness to everything from tea to baked goods.

Chewing on stevia leaves provides you with the same sweetness as tasting the substances inside a stevia packet, which illustrates why this plant is so useful to have in the garden. The plants produce purple flowers in the summer, but most growers remove the blooms to encourage leaf growth and improve leaf flavor.

Stevia can survive the winter outdoors in zones 10 and above, but you must bring it inside if you live in colder areas. Planting stevia in pots makes it easy to move the plants indoors to overwinter.

Sweet Cicely

	botanical name Myrrhis odorata
	sun requirements Partial shade to full shade
	height 2-4 feet
	hardiness zones 5-9

While many perennial herbs thrive in full sun, sweet cicely prefers to grow in shady areas. And that makes sense when you consider this plant is native to European forests. The plants send out fern-like foliage in the spring and eventually send up tall flower stalks covered topped with umbels of tiny white blooms.

Many gardeners used to grow sweet cicely in herb gardens, but its popularity has faded over time. However, some people still keep it around for its sweet anise flavor. You can use the leaves and seeds in culinary creations or use the plant to improve digestion.

Tarragon

	botanical name Artemisia dracunculus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-8

Tarragon is one of those herbs you just can’t replace. Some people say it has a light anise flavor, but if you’ve tasted fresh tarragon, you know the flavor is complex and difficult to describe. Fortunately, you can grow tarragon at home to easily access it.

This herb prefers well-draining soil that dries out in between waterings. If the soil remains wet, the plants will likely develop root rot. While tarragon is winter-hardy in zones 3 and above, protect the plants with mulch or row cover if you’re expecting an unusual cold snap.

Wild Bergamot

	botanical name Monarda fistulosa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-4 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Also known as bee balm, wild bergamot is a flowering perennial native to much of the eastern United States. It fits in well in native plant gardens, where it attracts hummingbirds, bees, and hummingbirds with its beautiful flowers. However, you can also use the plant’s leaves for their woodsy, minty scent.

Although wild bergamot isn’t invasive, a small planting can quickly grow into a large clump. Therefore, it’s best grown with other hardy perennials like coneflower and blazing star. All of these plants can tolerate light drought and poor soil, so they grow well together.

Winter Savory

	botanical name Satureja montana
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-12 inches
	hardiness zones 5-8

Winter savory is a low-growing, shrubby herb that resembles thyme. While these two herbs have a similar flavor, winter savory is more subdued with increased earthy notes. Therefore, it’s a good addition to breads, sauces, and marinades.

These plants require well-draining soil to thrive, and they can tolerate moderate drought. During the summer, they produce small flowers that attract bees and butterflies.

Valerian

	botanical name Valeriana officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-5 feet
	hardiness zones 4-7

Also known by the common name all-heal, valerian is a popular addition to medicinal herb gardens. People have long used the plant’s root to help with relaxation and sleep. Even if you’re not interested in exploring valerian’s medicinal qualities, it makes a beautiful addition to your garden.

The plants produce lacy green foliage and send up tall stalks topped with clusters of small white flowers. They’re also quite hardy and can tolerate various soil types. However, they will grow best if the soil stays moderately moist. If you live in the Midwest, avoid planting valerian in the ground. It’s an invasive species there.

Yarrow

	botanical name Achillea millefolium
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Yarrow fits in just about anywhere. Whether you’re looking for a flowering plant to add to a native garden or meadow, want to add some color to that rocky patch of your yard, or are searching for a bright addition to your herb garden, yarrow fits the bill.

The plants produce clumps of lacy, green foliage and send up clusters of beautiful flowers. These flowers attract a wide variety of beneficial insects and also work well as cut flowers. Plus, they’re low maintenance and can survive just about anywhere!

Zaatar

	botanical name Origanum syriacum
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones 9-10

A member of the oregano family, zaatar is an herb used in a spice mixture of the same name. People also refer to the plant as bible hyssop or Syrian oregano. It’s not as cold-hardy as other types of oregano, so growing it in pots is a good option in much of the United States.

The plants can tolerate intense heat and moderate drought, but they don’t like sitting in wet soil. Planting them in a sandy area or pot filled with coarse potting mix will help them thrive.