Growing herbs from seed is the cheapest and most rewarding way to fill your kitchen, windowsill and garden with fresh flavour. A single packet gives you far more plants than buying pots, plus a much wider choice of varieties. This guide covers everything a beginner needs: what to buy, when and how to sow, which herbs to start with, and how to keep your seedlings thriving.
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Why grow herbs from seed?
Three good reasons. It is cheaper — one packet grows many plants for a fraction of the price of potted herbs. It gives you more choice — hundreds of varieties you will rarely find as ready-grown plants. And it gives you control — sow chemical-free and choose organic herb seeds if you prefer. Browse the full range of herb seeds to see what is possible.
What you will need
- Herb seeds (start with the easy ones below)
- Small pots or a seed tray with drainage
- Fresh, peat-free seed compost
- A bright windowsill or a propagator
- A fine mist sprayer or a gentle watering can
Every SeedsChoice packet lists the botanical name, sowing period and germination time, so you always know what to expect.
How to sow herb seeds, step by step
- Sow thinly from March
- Cover lightly fine compost
- Warm & bright 18–22°C
- Germinate 7–21 days
- Prick out to pots
- Harden off & plant out
The basics rarely change. Sow most annual herbs — such as basil (Ocimum basilicum), dill (Anethum graveolens) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum) — indoors from March, or direct outdoors after the last frost. Hardy perennial herbs like thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and sage (Salvia officinalis) can be started earlier under cover and come back year after year.
Sow thinly — overcrowding produces weak, leggy seedlings — and cover only as deep as the seed is wide; tiny seeds need just a dusting. Keep the surface evenly moist but never waterlogged, and give seedlings plenty of light as soon as they appear. For month-by-month timing, see our herb sowing calendar.
Annual or perennial — which to choose?
Annual
Lives one season — sow each year
Basil · Dill · Coriander · Cilantro
Perennial
Comes back every year
Rosemary · Thyme · Sage · Mint · Chives
Annuals grow, flower and finish in a single season, so you sow them fresh each year — fast, and great for quick results. Perennials such as rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), mint and chives (Allium schoenoprasum) return for years, so a few plants give you a low-maintenance herb patch.
Easy herbs for beginners
If it is your first time, start with forgiving, fast growers:
- Basil — loves sun and warmth; perfect on a windowsill.
- Parsley — reliable and slow to bolt; happy in pots.
- Chives — an almost foolproof perennial.
- Mint — vigorous; keep it in a pot so it does not take over.
- Coriander and dill — quick and easy from direct sowing.
Where to grow your herbs
Most herbs are happy in three settings. On a sunny windowsill, compact growers like basil, parsley, chives and mint thrive almost year-round. In pots and containers on a balcony or patio, nearly anything works — see our container-friendly herbs for varieties that stay neat. And in a garden bed, perennials such as rosemary, thyme and sage form lasting, fragrant clumps. Give them a bright, sheltered spot with free-draining soil.
Caring for your herbs
- Light 6+ hours sun; a bright sill
- Water when the surface dries; never soggy
- Pinch tips often to stay bushy
- Harvest little and often
Give herbs plenty of light, water when the surface starts to dry, and pinch out the growing tips regularly to keep plants bushy rather than leggy. Harvest little and often — frequent picking actually encourages fresh new growth. Feed lightly through the growing season if plants are in pots, where nutrients run out faster.
Harvesting and keeping them going
Snip what you need just above a leaf pair to encourage branching. For annuals, pinch out flower buds to keep the leaves tender for longer. Towards the end of summer you can dry or freeze a surplus, and bring tender perennials under cover before the first hard frost. With a little ongoing care, many herbs crop from spring right through autumn.
Common beginner mistakes
- Sowing too deep — most herb seeds need light and only a fine covering.
- Overwatering — soggy compost rots seedlings; aim for moist, not wet.
- Too little light — pale, leggy seedlings are asking for a brighter spot.
- Sowing tender herbs too early — wait for warmth, or start them indoors.
Frequently asked questions
How long do herb seeds take to germinate?
Usually 7–21 days depending on the variety; each packet lists the germination time.
Can I grow herbs indoors all year?
Yes — many thrive on a sunny windowsill. Basil, chives, parsley and mint are ideal.
Do I need a propagator?
No, but a warm, bright spot (or a clear lid) speeds up and evens out germination.
Which herbs are easiest for beginners?
Basil, chives, parsley, mint and dill are forgiving and fast.
What is the difference between annual and perennial herbs?
Annuals last one season; perennials come back year after year.
Ready to start? Browse all herb seeds.
