Common name

Scientific name

Type

Light

Soil

Height (in.)

Propagation

Hardiness

Comments

Basil, sweet

Ocimum basilicum

A

B

M

18

SS

T

Excellent for pots.

Borage

Borago officinalis

A

B

D

24-36

SS

HA

Often self-seeds.

Catnip

Nepeta cataria

P

B, LS

WD

36

SS, D, C

H

Cut back in autumn.

Chives

Allium schoenoprasum

P

S, LS

D

10

SS, D

H

Can be grown indoors.

Coriander

Coriander sativum

A

B

R, WD

24

SS

HA

Space plants 8 inches apart.

Dill

Anethum graveolens

A

B

R, WD

24-36

SS

HA

Do not plant with fennel.

Fennel, sweet

Foeniculum dulce

P

B

WD

48-72

SS, D

H

Less vigor in clay soils.

Marjoram, sweet

Origanum majorana

P

B, LS

R, WD

8-12

SS, C

HH

Grow in pots. Sow seeds as annual.

Oregano

Origanum vulgare

P

B, LS

WD

18-24

SS, D, C

H

Cut back in late fall.

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

B

B, LS

R, M

6-10

SS

HH

Often self-seeds.

Sage

Salvia officinalis

WP

B

D, WD

24-36

SS, C

H

Replace plants every 5 years.

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris

WP

B

D

6-10

SS, C, D

H

Evergreen. Grows indoors.

Growth category: A = annual, B = biennial, P = perennial, WP = woody perennial
Light: B = bright, LS = light shade, S = shade
Soil: D = dry soil, M = moist soil, R = rich, WD = well drained
Propagation: C = cuttings, D = division, SF = seed (fall), SS = seed (spring)
Hardiness: H = hardy, HA = hardy annual, HH = half hardy, T = tender