The Best Beginner Herbs to Grow: Low-Maintenance, High-Reward
If you’re new to gardening and want an easy win, start with herbs that are nearly impossible to kill. Some plants demand constant attention, but these four—thyme, sage, rosemary, and chives—are low-maintenance, incredibly useful in the kitchen, and thrive with minimal effort. They require little upkeep, bounce back from neglect, and offer high reward for very little risk. Whether you have a backyard garden or just a few pots on a patio, these herbs are your best bet for a successful start.
1. Thyme
Hardiness: Perennial
Zones: 5-9
Sun: Full sun
Watering: Drought-tolerant once established
Best Uses: Cooking, teas, medicinal uses, and companion planting
My Favorite Uses: Herby pastas, chicken, and any roasted veggies (especially carrots!)
Thyme is one of those set-it-and-forget-it herbs. It thrives in poor soil, doesn’t need much water, and can handle both heat and cold. Whether you’re seasoning roasted meats, adding depth to soups, or making an herbal tea, thyme is incredibly versatile. Plus, it attracts pollinators and deters pests, making it a great companion plant for vegetables.
2. Sage
Hardiness: Perennial
Zones: 4-8
Sun: Full sun
Watering: Prefers dry soil, water sparingly
Best Uses: Cooking, teas, medicinal purposes, and aromatherapy
My Favorite Uses: Chicken meatballs, or brown butter ravioli! (Yum!)
Sage is another foolproof herb for beginners. It thrives in well-draining soil and prefers to be left alone rather than overwatered. It’s great for seasoning meats, adding depth to stuffing, or making an herbal tea. Some varieties even produce beautiful purple flowers that attract bees and butterflies. If you want a reliable, flavorful herb that thrives on neglect, sage is it.
3. Rosemary
Hardiness: Perennial (Zones 7-10), Annual in colder climates
Zones: 7-10 (perennial), can be overwintered indoors in colder zones
Sun: Full sun
Watering: Drought-tolerant, avoid overwatering
Best Uses: Cooking, aromatherapy, and medicinal applications
My Favorite Uses: Lamb rack and potatoes, the ultimate combo!
Rosemary is practically indestructible in the right conditions. It prefers dry soil, lots of sun, and doesn’t need much water. If you live in a colder climate, you can grow it in a pot and bring it indoors for the winter. Its strong, earthy flavor is perfect for roasted meats, potatoes, and homemade bread. Plus, rosemary has natural antibacterial properties and makes a great addition to homemade skincare products.
4. Chives
Hardiness: Perennial
Zones: 3-9
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Watering: Keep soil slightly moist
Best Uses: Cooking, garnishes, and pollinator attraction
My Favorite Uses: Literally anywhere you want a nice onion-y flavor. Not too much, not too little, it’s just right. (And its low fodmap friendly!)
Chives are the easiest herb to grow, hands down. They thrive in almost any condition, come back every year, and can even handle a bit of shade. Their mild onion flavor makes them perfect for garnishing eggs, soups, and potatoes. Plus, chive blossoms attract pollinators like bees, making them a great addition to any garden.
5. Bay Leaf (Sweet Bay)
Hardiness: Perennial
Zones: 8-11 (can be overwintered indoors in colder zones)
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Watering: Moderate; allow soil to dry slightly between waterings
Best Uses: Cooking, soups, stews, and herbal teas
My Favorite Uses: Soups, broths, and pasta sauces!
Bay leaf is an incredibly underrated herb for home gardeners. The leaves add depth to soups, sauces, and stews, and the tree itself is low-maintenance. While it grows as a tree in warm climates, it thrives in pots and can be brought indoors for the winter if you live in a colder area. Bay leaf plants are slow growers, but they live for decades and provide a steady supply of fragrant leaves with almost no effort.
6. Mint
Hardiness: Perennial
Zones: 3-9
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Watering: Keep soil evenly moist
Best Uses: Teas, cocktails, desserts, and garnishes
My Favorite Uses: Mint tea or Middle Eastern cheese fatayer (feta and mozzarella cheese pies with sprinkled mint, *chef’s kiss*)
If you want a foolproof herb, mint is it—almost too easy to grow! It spreads aggressively, so it’s best kept in a pot unless you want it taking over your garden. It thrives in partial shade, grows quickly, and is perfect for teas, mojitos, desserts, and even homemade mint sauces. Plus, it repels pests like mosquitoes, making it a great choice for patios and garden borders.
If you’re looking for herbs that won’t die on you, these six are the best place to start. They require minimal effort, provide fresh flavor for your cooking, and thrive in a variety of conditions. Whether you’re working with garden beds or small containers, thyme, sage, rosemary, chives, bay leaf, and mint will reward you with fresh herbs year after year with almost no work.
So, if you’re on the fence about starting a herb garden, take the leap. These are as beginner-friendly as it gets!
