# 8 Herbs An Amateur Green Thumb Can Easily Grow

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/01/8-herbs-an-amateur-green-thumb-can-easily-grow/
- Published: 2021-01-27T10:34:06-05:00
- Author: Eillin Delapaz

![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/35F6782E-A916-
4561-A0F6-81E48666083B.jpg?resize=736%2C491&quality=52&ssl=1)

Growing herbs in small planers. Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com

Growing a herb garden means more than just having healthy and nutritious add-ons
to your dishes near at hand. It is going to be one of the most satisfying things
that you will ever do. After all, there is something to be said about enjoying the
fruits of your labor. But being a newbie [green thumb](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/07/tata-projects-green-thumb-initiative-helps-restore-indias-depleting-green-coverage/)
means you still doubt your abilities to grow herbs and sustain them. Maybe you are
not even sure about which herbs to go with for your garden.

Here’s discussing eight [herbs that you can quickly grow](https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/03/green-new-york-a-podcast-discussion-on-living-green/)
as an amateur green thumb to help you out in that regard.

## Mint

[Mint](https://www.allotment-garden.org/herbs/mint-growing/), a relatively hardy
herb, is super-easy to grow. It grows so quickly and so well that it is challenging
to keep it from overtaking an entire garden. Whether you go for peppermint or spearmint,
the herb needs good drainage and damp rich soil having 6.5 – 7 pH and will do well
in an area that gets enough shade during the daytime. You can also grow mint in 
a pot or container to keep it in your apartment. The seeds take nearly 10 – 15 days
to [germinate](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/11/top-environmental-friendly-tricks-to-reduce-your-monthly-bills/).
It will make your entire apartment smell clean and fresh.

![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/image2-2.png?
resize=679%2C452&quality=50&ssl=1)

Mint leaves. Photo courtesy of Freepik.com

## Thyme

Growing thyme in your garden is a lot like growing [**shatter**](https://weedsmart.net/learn-about-shatter/)
because of its easy growth. Thyme is the best and easiest herb to grow for a first-
time gardener because it doesn’t take too long to maintain it. Grow  thyme in a 
pot or container along with rosemary and put it on your windowsill or balcony for
hours every day. Make sure to trim it at regular intervals and occasionally water
it. The height of this herb is about 6-12 inches. 

If you are planting them in the garden, do it near tomatoes or cabbage. Thyme will
thrive even in dry soil, though it grows best in the sandy, loamy soil.

## Basil

Basil is a natural bug repellant that keeps unwanted insects away that might otherwise
harm the plant. It is sometimes grown in combination with tomatoes because they 
are both ingredients of several sauces, and basil keeps tomatoes free from insects.
This is the kind of herb that needs a lot of sunlight. Moreover, you need to arrange
it accordingly. You have to plant the seeds twelve inches apart at least six weeks
before the winter season. 

![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/241F5959-9A9D-
4B4A-9843-2CF503CBB004.jpg?resize=736%2C491&quality=52&ssl=1)

Basil leaves. Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com

## Rosemary

Rosemary is a universal herb that can add flavor to any dish that you make. The 
plants almost like pine and make the entire apartment feel mountain fresh.

To ensure that rosemary thrives, you will have to place it in a pot and keep it 
in direct sunlight for at least six to eight hours every day. Trim the plant regularly
and water it semi-frequently to get the excellent herb. You can grow rosemary any
time of the year as long as you can [give it direct light](https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/09/google-gives-the-best-present-to-all-its-employees-green-lighting/).

![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/image1-2.png?
resize=626%2C290&quality=50&ssl=1)

Dried rosemary. Photo courtesy of Freepik.com

## Oregano

Oregano is another super useful and super easy-to-maintain herb that you can grow.
They just need water when the soil gets dry, and that’s about it. Place the pot 
on a patio ledge or windowsill where it can get six hours of daily sunlight. 

Oregano starts growing in all directions under the right condition, so trim down
the plant when it goes taller than four inches. This is how you can have your homegrown
oregano add to the stews, soups, and sauces.

## Chives

Chives are the right plant for first-timers because of how easy it is to grow. This
is the kind of plant that can thrive both outdoors and indoors, so that’s a significant
advantage for people living in apartments. Like all other herbs, chives need about
eight hours of sunlight each day and enough water to keep the soil damp. Keep the
plant on your windowsill and trim it before it grows to a foot in length.

![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/IMG_9965.jpg?
resize=736%2C490&quality=52&ssl=1)

Chives. Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

## Bay laurel

Bay laurel thrives in containers and pots and needs ample sunlight and air circulation
like all other herbs. It is a great plant to grow at home because it’s frequently
used for adding flavor to soups or sauces. You can even dry out a few bay laurel
leaves to use that as a seasoning rub.

It grows by several inches each year and can reach about twenty-five feet. Thus,
you need to be persistent with the trimming and keep the length at two feet.

## Cilantro

Place a couple of cilantro seeds in a pot and watch it grow into a delicious herb
that adds a tangy zest to your food. 

Unlike the options mentioned above, cilantro is not a fan of the sunlight but prefers
cool areas. If you have planned to plant cilantro seeds, put the pot or plant it
directly in the garden in a place that only gets the morning or evening light. The
hottest sunlight of the day will destroy the herb.

## Endnote

You can always go ahead and purchase pre-packaged herbs from the store. But nothing
beats the freshness and the joy of growing your herbs. You will save a lot of money
and get to add a different edge of flavors to each one of your dishes.

 

_This post was written by Emma Wilson, a content specialist with a focus on health
and wellness. _