When the summer season comes to its close, that doesn’t have to be the end of your supply of garden-fresh herbs. A wide variety of herbs flourish in the cool autumn weather. Keep reading to discover some of the best herbs to plant in fall and learn how to keep them thriving in your herb garden or containers.
Rest assured that there are plenty of options to suit your culinary needs year-round. Although many annual herbs like basil and stevia prefer summer heat, others perform best when the weather gets cooler. Culinary herbs to grow in fall include cilantro, tarragon, chives, and oregano, among others.
You can grow many different culinary herbs in your garden plot or raised beds at different times of the year. Or, plant herbs in containers on your outdoor patio or porch in the fall. In mild climates, many herbs will keep growing through the winter. It’s also possible to grow potted herbs on a sunny kitchen windowsill and have easy access whenever you’d like to use them.
Are you ready to learn what herbs to plant in fall so you can design the perfect cool-season herb garden? Let’s dig in!
What Herbs to Plant in Fall
The changing leaves and cooling temperatures might have you asking, “What can be planted in fall?” Luckily, fall is a perfect time of year for planting numerous different herbs.
Most fall herbs have a biennial or perennial life cycle. Biennial plants develop leaves and roots in their first growing season, then grow flowers and seeds in their second year. Perennial plants live for many years, staying evergreen or shedding their leaves and going dormant for winter.
Harvest your leafy herbs up until the first frost. However, it’s best to stop cutting woody perennial herbs about a month before the first autumn frost to let them store up energy for the winter months.
When choosing what herbs to plant in fall, consider your growing climate, available space, and intended culinary use. When growing a variety of herbs together, make sure they have compatible needs for light, nutrients, and water.
If you enjoy Mediterranean cuisine, try planting an Herbes de Provence garden. Although the exact mixture varies by region, the traditional herbs include:
- marjoram
- oregano
- rosemary
- savory
- tarragon
- thyme
Basil, chervil, fennel seed, lavender, and mint are common additions. These herbs need full sun and moderate amounts of fertilizer and water.
Perennial Herbs to Plant in Fall
Most types of perennial herbs take a long time to grow from seeds. It’s usually easier to transplant nursery-grown seedlings in late summer or early fall. If you prefer growing your plants from seed, cilantro, chives, and dill are best suited for fall planting. Germination typically takes a week or two, and you can start harvesting in about 30-40 days.
The advantage of growing perennial herbs is that they’re easier to care for as they mature, and your efforts will pay off for many years to come. Here are a few options for perennial herbs to plant in fall that regrow year after year.
Chives
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are amazingly versatile and cold-hardy plants. The leaves get used fresh or dried for flavoring cooked dishes or added as a garnish on top of soups, salads, and baked potatoes.
They grow easily in USDA hardiness zones 3-10. Chive plants perform best in full sun to partial shade with consistently moist soil.
French Tarragon
Also called estragon, this flavorful herb has a distinctive, licorice-like taste. Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) makes a wonderful addition to chicken and fish dishes, salad dressings and sauces, or for making savory herb-infused butter.
Tarragon plants like well-draining, sandy soil and tend to suffer if they get overwatered. They’re cold-hardy in USDA zones 4 and higher.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is part of the mint family. The leaves have a delightfully citrusy flavor and are excellent for making herbal teas, sauces, and marinades. Or, use them to garnish a fruity cocktail or dessert.
Plant lemon balm in full sun to partial shade and keep the soil consistently moist. They’re not especially heavy feeders and only need occasional fertilizing. Lemon balm is hardy in USDA zones 4-9.
Oregano
Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is reliably cold-hardy in USDA zones 4-10. If you prefer a more robust flavor, plant Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare hirtum), which is perennial in zones 5 and above.
These low-maintenance plants thrive in well-draining, sandy soils and don’t need fertilizer more than once or twice yearly. They grow quite large, between one and two feet tall and wide, and benefit from regular pruning.
Be aware that they self-seed quite vigorously – be diligent with trimming off the flowers if you don’t want volunteer oregano plants in the spring. Oregano flowers are edible and have a milder flavor than the leaves.
Roman Chamomile
In addition to making a soothing cup of herbal tea, Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is a helpful companion plant in the vegetable garden. It attracts beneficial pollinators and predatory insects and reportedly improves the flavor and overall vigor of nearby crops. However, avoid planting chamomile near mint. Chamomile inhibits mint plants from producing their scent-producing essential oils.
Roman chamomile is a perennial in USDA zones 4-9. The plants do best in full sun to partial shade. They need consistently moist soil rich in nutrients.
Rosemary
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a woody shrub with thin, fragrant leaves that look similar to pine needles. Although most rosemary varieties are perennial in USDA zones 7 and higher, some hardy cultivars can get overwintered in zones 5 and up. It’s crucial to protect their root systems with a thick layer of mulch after cutting the plants back in late fall.
Plant rosemary in an area that gets full sun and has rich, well-draining soil. Once the plants get established, they grow up to four feet tall and wide.
Sage
Sage (Salvia officinalis) offers a pungent, earthy aroma that pairs well with meat dishes, baked root veggies, savory sauces, and more. This herb is also frequently used in herbal medicine for making infusions and salves. Learn more about the health benefits of sage leaves in this article from WebMD
For the best results, grow sage in full sun and well-draining soil. The plants aren’t especially heavy feeders, so amending your garden soil with compost or a slow-release organic fertilizer once yearly is usually sufficient.
Sage is also a useful companion plant in your veggie garden, as it effectively repels cabbage moths, carrot flies, and flea beetles. However, keep sage separate from cucurbits like cucumbers, melons, and squash as it reportedly stunts their growth.
Sorrel
Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) gets used as both a culinary herb and for salad greens. The leaves have a tart, citrusy flavor that pairs well with fish dishes. Use the fresh leaves in fresh salads, or incorporate them in marinades, sauces, soups, and stews.
Sorrel is a low-maintenance plant that’s perennial in USDA zones 3-9. The plants need full sun, moderately fertile soil, and regular watering.
Biennial Herbs to Plant in Fall
Under their ideal conditions, biennial plants don’t flower and produce seeds until their second growing season. However, heat or drought stress may cause them to do so prematurely, a process known as “bolting.” When veggies and herbs bolt, their leaves usually become bitter, stringy, tough, and inedible.
Therefore, cool weather makes starting an herb garden in fall a straightforward and gratifying DIY project. In mild climates, it’s even possible to keep a few cold-hardy herbs growing throughout the winter inside a cold frame or an unheated greenhouse. Insulate the plants’ roots with a deep layer of mulch.
Cilantro/Coriander
Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) has a tangy, citrusy flavor that most people love or hate. In the US, the leaves get called “cilantro,” and the edible seeds are “coriander.” In other countries, leaves and seeds go by the name “coriander.”
It’s cold-hardy to 10℉ and can get overwintered in USDA zones 2-11. Cilantro grows best in full sun to partial shade. These low-maintenance plants like consistently moist soil and only require occasional fertilizing.
Parsley
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a leafy herb with a mildly earthy aroma. Fresh parsley sprigs frequently appear as a garnish or get mixed into salads, sauces, soups, and stews. The flowers are also edible, with a somewhat citrusy, sweet flavor.
Parsley plants can withstand temperatures as low as 10℉. They do well in USDA zones 3-9. Parsley grows best when planted in a location with full sun and moist, nutrient-rich soil.
If you’ve recently been wondering what herbs to plant in fall, rest assured that numerous options are available. You don’t have to wait til springtime to get your fix of fresh herbs. Pick your favorite culinary herbs to grow in fall based on your climate, garden space, and preferred uses. Plant fall herbs in your garden plot, raised beds, or containers.
Do you have any questions or suggestions about growing herbs in fall? Please share them in the comments! If you enjoyed learning about herbs to plant in fall, please share these gardening tips with your fellow green thumbs.
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