The Chef's Gardener

The best herbs to grow for cooking

Fresh flavour, straight from your garden to your plate

Growing your own herbs is one of the easiest ways to instantly improve your cooking.

A handful of fresh leaves can transform a simple dish into something full of flavour, aroma, and character.

The 10 best herbs to grow & where to get them

If you’re not sure where to start, here are the best herbs to grow at home for everyday cooking & where to get them – plus how to use them and why they’re worth having.

Quick link to the herb & why it was selected:

  1. Genovese basil
  2. Italian parsley
  3. Tuscan blue rosemary
  4. French thyme
  5. Spearmint
  6. Hot & spicy oregano
  7. Garlic chives
  8. Cinnamon basil
  9. Leaf coriander
  10. Messidrome garlic
kitchen herb planter

🌱 Start with the herbs you actually cook with

Before you plant anything, keep this simple rule in mind:

👉 Grow what you eat most often

There are many, many different types & varieties of herbs.

However some are used very often, and some only for specialised recipes & meals.

The herbs below are:

  • Easy to grow
  • Highly versatile
  • Used in everyday cooking

🧑‍🍳 The 10 best herbs for cooking

1. Genovese Basil – the essential flavour booster

Genovese basil is one of the most popular herbs in the world, used in many recipes.

It’s the ideal herb to grow if you like cooking Italian, French or Greek recipes and is perfect for pasta, sauces, salads, and pesto. (Example Genovese basil recipes)

👉 Why grow it:

genovese basil

2. Italian Parsley – the all-rounder

Parsley is one of the most versatile ingredients for cooking, and great to grow at home.

There are different types of parsley – if you buy it in a shop it’s most likely French parsley.

But if you eat in a restaurant Italian parsley is the type most likely to be used, because it’s quick and easy to ‘wash & chop’ and has a lovely flavour.

👉 Why grow it:

italian parsley

3. Tuscan Blue Rosemary – bold and aromatic

Rosemary is a key ingredient in many Mediterranean recipes.

Different types of rosemary will have a different flavour.

Tuscan blue rosemary tends to be the chef’s favourite, ideal for any of my example rosemary recipes

It’s lovely to grow at home, as it just keep growing & growing. And you simply cut whatever you need.

👉 Why grow it:

rosemary ingredient

4. French Thyme – the quiet hero

If you are eating in a restaurant then French thyme is the type most likely to be used in meals.

It’s has a lovely flavour when used in stews, soups, meat and fish dishes. (like in the example thyme recipes)

👉 Why grow it:

french thyme

5. Spearmint – fresh and versatile

Mint is very easy to grow, is great for recipes but…. each variety has a distinct flavour.

Spearmint is probably the most often used mint in recipes such as roast leg of lamb, mint tea or mint sauce, pasta meals, etc

👉 Why grow it:

✅ Tip: Grow mint in a pot – it spreads quickly.

spearmint seeds

6. Hot & Spicy Oregano

Oregano is the essential herb for Italian and Mediterranean cooking.

But is often available in shops – the oregano hot and spicy herb will add a unique flavour to your recipes and well worth growing.

Great for both Italian, Greek & Mexican recipes

👉 Why grow it:

oregano hot and spicy

7. Garlic Chives – subtle and practical

Chives are great for cooking with a lovely flavour.

Fresh chives taste a lot better than the dried product, and it’s also quite a small plant that is very easy to grow.

Chives are great for fish, potatoes, soups, and other dishes. But garlic chives are used in Japanese, Chinese and Korean recipes and add something extra.

👉 Why grow it:

garlic chives

8. Cinnamon Basil – spice & arromatic

Cinnamon basil (also known as Mexican spice basil) has a very spicy, fragrant aroma and flavour.

This type of basil is not often available in shops, which is why it’s ideal to grow at home

👉 Why grow it:

cinnamon basil

9. Leaf Coriander (Cilantro) – bright and fresh

Leaf coriander has a very distinctive lemon & lime taste which (when added to recipes or salads) provide a real flavour.

Ideal for recipes like Chinese stir-fry, Mexican Salsa, etc.

👉 Why grow it:

leaf coriander

10. Messidrome Garlic

OK – officially not a herb but it’s used in the same way and key to cooking.

Messidrome garlic is the garlic most often used in French kitchens, ideal for slow cookers.

You will be unlikely to find this in a food shop but adds real flavour to your recipes:

👉 Why grow it:

messidrome garlic

🌿 Why growing your own herbs changes your cooking

Fresh herbs & vegetables add real flavour and taste to recipes.

Growing your own also means:

  • No last-minute trips to the shop
  • Less waste
  • Better tasting food
  • More control over quality

Even a small selection of 3–4 herbs can make a huge difference.

🪴 Easy herbs for beginners

If you’re just starting out, focus on herbs that are forgiving and simple to grow:

👉 Best for beginners:

  • Basil
  • Mint
  • Parsley
  • Coriander

These herbs are very easy to start in pots, and will tolerate small mistakes, and provide a steady supply of fresh leaves.

🌍 Grow anywhere – even in a kitchen

You don’t need a full garden. Many herbs:

  • Grow well in containers
  • Thrive on a sunny windowsill
  • Require minimal space

With just a few pots and some sunlight, you can create a mini kitchen herb garden.

✅ Final thoughts

The best herbs to grow are the ones you’ll actually use. Start simple, build confidence, and expand over time.

👉 If you’re just beginning:

  • Pick 3–5 herbs
  • Grow them well
  • Use them often

Before long, you’ll find yourself cooking differently—using fresh ingredients, experimenting more, and enjoying better flavour every day.

More information

Our main herb introduction page will show you how to select & grow herbs, as well as the best way to use them in cooking & recipes

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