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In my ideal world, I would have a full vegetable garden—raised beds overflowing with tomatoes, greens, and herbs that I could wander around and eat while cooking dinner. But right now, I live in an apartment in Portland with very little outdoor space, which means my gardening ambitions have had to get a little more creative.
Fortunately, the remedies are surprisingly forgiving. You don’t need a backyard—or a lot of space—to grow them. A single planter on the porch, a few pots by the kitchen window, or a small corner of a garden bed can produce many fresh herbs that you’ll know what to do with. And once you start cooking with herbs as an adult, it’s hard to go back. A handful of basil tossed into pasta, mint infused in sparkling water, or dill spread over roasted vegetables somehow makes everyday meals feel special.
If you’ve been curious about which herbs to grow at home, these five are the easiest to start with—whether in the backyard, in a patio planter, or on a sunny kitchen windowsill.
The Best Herbs to Grow at Home—Even in Small Spaces
When starting a vegetable garden at home, the goal is simple: choose herbs that are easy to grow and that you will use in your cooking. These five herbs are incredibly versatile, beginner-friendly, and adaptable whether you’re planting a garden bed, filling a planter, or growing herbs indoors.
Basil
If there’s one vegetable that makes summer cooking feel perfect, it’s basil. It grows well in warm weather and grows quickly, meaning you can harvest it regularly throughout the season.
Suitable for: Garden beds or sunny outdoor plants
How to use: Basil is best enjoyed fresh. Think pesto, caprese salads, sandwiches, and pasta tossed in olive oil and tomatoes.
What you need to do:
Mint
Mint is one of those herbs that is almost perfect to grow. In the garden bed it will happily spread anywhere it can reach, which is why many gardeners choose to grow it in containers. The result? If it continues, you’ll have more mint than you know what to do with.
Suitable for: Outdoor dishes or pots
How to use: Mint instantly brightens drinks and salads. I like to add it to sparkling orange juice, toss it in cereal bowls, or use it in sauces like tzatziki.
What you need to do:
Rosemary
Rosemary is one of the hardiest herbs to grow. It is woody and shrub-like, meaning that once established it can last for years with very little maintenance.
Suitable for: Back gardens or large outdoor pots
How to use: Rosemary brightens when cooked. Add it to roasted vegetables, marinades, or add it to olive oil or honey.
What you need to do:
Cilantro
Cilantro is a bit polarizing—some people love it, others think it tastes like soap (not their fault… genetics plays a role)—but if you’re in the first camp, it’s one of the most useful herbs you can grow at home.
Suitable for: Small garden beds or outdoor containers
How to use: Cilantro is best added fresh at the end of cooking. Sprinkle it over tacos, grain bowls, soups, or hummus.
What you need to do:
A feast
Dill feels very spring to me. It’s light, fresh, and pairs well with vegetables, fish, and creamy sauces.
Suitable for: Garden beds or sunny kitchen windows
How to use: Chop dill into yogurt sauces, spread it over roasted potatoes, or add it to salads and seafood dishes.
What you need to do:
How to Grow Herbs at Home (No Matter Your Location)
If you have a garden: Plant herbs at the edges of raised beds or next to vegetables. Most herbs like full sun and well-draining soil.
If you have a small outdoor space: One plant can support many herbs. Basil, mint, and cilantro all enjoy growing in pots.
If you are growing herbs indoors: Choose a sunny window and pots with drainage holes. Basil, mint, and dill tend to adapt well to indoor growing.
The Takeaway
Growing herbs at home is one of the easiest ways to bring more freshness to everyday cooking. Even a few small plants can completely change the way you cook—suddenly you’re reaching for fresh basil, picking mint for drinks, or scattering dill over dinner.
Start with one or two remedies that you use the most. Once you see how easy it is to grow, it’s hard not to keep adding more.
This post was last updated on March 21, 2026, to include new information.