Don’t Buy These Herbs — Grow Them Instead

Store-bought herbs may seem convenient, but they often come in tiny bundles with short shelf lives and high price tags. The good news? Many popular herbs are incredibly easy to grow at home.

Whether you’ve got a sunny windowsill, a balcony planter, or a backyard garden, these herbs thrive with little effort and offer continuous harvests. Here are the top herbs you should stop buying and start growing instead—for fresher flavor and bigger savings.

Basil

This fragrant favorite grows fast and thrives in warm, sunny spots. Just pinch off the tops to keep it bushy and productive all summer long.

Mint

With its refreshing flavor and vigorous growth, mint is practically unstoppable. Grow it in containers to keep it from taking over your garden.

Parsley

Flat-leaf or curly, parsley is simple to grow and regrows after cutting. It’s perfect for garnishes, salads, and sauces.

Chives

Chives offer a mild onion flavor and come back every year. Snip them for eggs, potatoes, or salads, and enjoy their edible purple blooms.

Oregano

This low-maintenance Mediterranean herb thrives in full sun and dry soil. Use it fresh or dry it for year-round flavor.

Thyme

A hardy perennial that thrives in containers or garden beds, thyme adds depth to meat, veggie, and soup dishes.

Rosemary

With its woody stems and pine-like aroma, rosemary is a garden staple. It’s drought-tolerant and grows well in pots or directly in the ground.

Cilantro

Grow cilantro for both its fresh leaves and seeds (coriander). It prefers cooler weather, so try planting in spring or fall.

Dill

Ideal for pickling or seasoning fish, dill grows quickly and reseeds easily. Let a few plants flower to keep it coming back.

Sage

With its soft, silvery leaves and earthy flavor, sage is a must for stuffing and savory dishes. It’s also a hardy perennial in many zones.

Lemongrass

Easy to grow from stalks bought at the store, lemongrass adds citrusy zing to dishes and doubles as a mosquito repellent in the garden.

Growing your own herbs means fresher flavor, less waste, and more savings. With just a few pots and a bit of sunlight, you can enjoy a homegrown herb garden that keeps on giving.