C
ClearInsight News

How far apart do you plant herbs?

Author

Sophia Sparks

Published Feb 16, 2026

How far apart do you plant herbs?

For planting Herbs, you need approximately 1 to 4 feet in diameter for each plant, depending on the plant. Here are some general guidelines for plant sizes: 3-4 feet - Rosemary, Sage, Mints, Oregano, Marjoram. 2 feet - Basils, Thyme, Tarragon, Savory.

Herein, what herbs can be planted next to each other?

Cilantro, tarragon, and basil love full sun, and all require more moisture to be happy. They grow well together since you can keep them watered at the same rate. When it comes to herbs that prefer sandier, drier soil, consider planting sage, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, oregano and lavender near each other.

Secondly, when can I plant my herbs?

How to Grow Herbs
HerbStart Seeds Indoors (Weeks before last spring frost)Start Seeds: Outdoors (Weeks before / after last spring frost)
Thyme, common*6–102–3 before
*Recommend minimum soil temperature of 70°F to germinate
** full sun partial shade

Beside above, can herbs grow close together?

You can grow herbs in pots together as long as you remember two rules: avoid mixing those that like plenty of water (such as chives, mint, chervil, coriander, Vietnamese coriander) with those that like a well-drained soil (such as rosemary, thyme, sage, bay, and oregano).

What herbs come back every year?

Herbs that Come Back Year After Year

  • Sage. Sage is a good example of a double-duty plant.
  • Thyme and Oregano. Thyme and oregano are both perennial low-growers that make trouble-free groundcovers in any sunny part of the yard.
  • Chives.
  • Mint.

What should not be planted together?

Other commonly believed plant incompatibilities include the following plants to avoid near one another:
  • Mint and onions where asparagus is growing.
  • Pole beans and mustard near beets.
  • Anise and dill neighboring carrots.
  • Cucumber, pumpkin, radish, sunflower, squash or tomatoes close to potato hills.

Are there any herbs that should not be planted together?

Rue, anise and dill all have their place in the garden and are beneficial companion plants to several other vegetables and herbs; however, there are a few crops they may harm. Rue, for example, should never be planted in close proximity to sage, basil or cabbages.

What should not be planted with tomatoes?

Plants that should not share space with tomatoes include the Brassicas, such as broccoli and cabbage. Corn is another no-no and tends to attract tomato fruit worm and/or corn ear worm. Kohlrabi thwarts the growth of tomatoes and planting tomatoes and potatoes increases the chance of potato blight disease.

What plants can be planted next to each other?

Easy Reference of Which Vegetables Grow Well Together
VegetableCompanion PlantDon't Plant Together
OnionsBeets, carrots, Swiss chard, lettuce, peppersAll beans and peas
PeasBeans, carrots, corn, cucumbers, radish, turnipGarlic, onions
PotatoesBeans, corn, peasTomatoes
SquashCorn, melons, pumpkinsNone

What can I plant next to Rosemary?

Planting rosemary nearby will also help your beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots and hot peppers to flourish. The only herb we found that would benefit from rosemary companion planting was sage. Planting carrots, potatoes and pumpkins near rosemary is not advised as they make for poor companions.

What vegetables Cannot be planted together?

Easy Reference of Which Vegetables Grow Well Together
VegetableCompanion PlantDon't Plant Together
PeasBeans, carrots, corn, cucumbers, radish, turnipGarlic, onions
PotatoesBeans, corn, peasTomatoes
SquashCorn, melons, pumpkinsNone
TomatoesCarrots, celery, cucumbers, onions, peppersCorn, potatoes, kohlrabi

Should you let herbs flower?

Herb plants grow lovely flowers. Although many have edible blossoms, it is not a good idea to allow your herb to flower early in the growing season. Once a plant flowers, this is the signal that its life cycle is about to end. Your herb is making a flower, then a seed, then it dies back for that season.

What herbs mix well together?

One of the most compatible herbs - goes well with basil, bay, chives, cilantro, garlic, oregano, mint, parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, and thyme.

Can basil and thyme be planted together?

Planting Herbs Together: An In-Depth Look
HerbCan be Planted With
ThymeRosemary, oregano, sage, lavender, and marjoram
LavenderRosemary, oregano, sage, thyme, and marjoram
MarjoramRosemary, oregano, sage, thyme, and lavender
BasilParsley, cilantro, tarragon

Will cilantro grow back after cutting?

when cutting, leave about an inch of stubble, which will contain the crown that produces new growth. Some tips: Water deeply after you harvest. Cilantro has long tap roots that will help the plants regrow, but only if you give them water – especially during the summer heat.

Do herbs like full sun?

Sunlight for Your Herb Garden
First and foremost, you'll need to choose a site that receives at least six to eight hours of sunlight per day. Most herbs need plenty of sunshine in order to grow and reach their full potential.

Does rosemary grow back?

You can do light pruning and harvesting any time of year, but a rosemary plant responds best to hard pruning in winter when it isn't actively growing. When pruned in winter, the plant grows back in spring looking better than ever. Note: For most people who grow rosemary, the plant will go through a cold period.

Can basil and rosemary be planted together?

Planting Together
Basil flourishes in rich, well-drained soil with plenty of moisture. Rosemary, a shrubby Mediterranean plant, also thrives in well-drained soil, but needs even better drainage and less moisture than basil. The best way to handle growing the two species in close proximity is to grow one in a container.

What can I plant next to lavender?

Lavender Plant Companions
  1. Echinacea.
  2. Aster.
  3. Sedum.
  4. Wild indigo.
  5. Baby's breath.
  6. Drought tolerant roses.

Can basil and oregano be planted together?

Planting Herbs Together: An In-Depth Look
HerbCan be Planted With
LavenderRosemary, oregano, sage, thyme, and marjoram
MarjoramRosemary, oregano, sage, thyme, and lavender
BasilParsley, cilantro, tarragon
ParsleyBasil, cilantro, tarragon

What grows well with basil?

Basil is also compatible with potatoes, beets, cabbage, beans, asparagus, eggplant, chili, and bell peppers. Planting marigolds near basil is a good move too, as the team works together to keep pests away from their neighbors as well as themselves. Learn more about growing basil.

What can I plant next to carrots?

CarrotsPlant with beans, Brassicas, chives, leeks, lettuce, onions, peas, peppers, pole beans, radish, rosemary, sage, and tomatoes. Avoid planting with dill, parsnips, and potatoes. Generally speaking, it's a good idea to keep some space between root crops so they don't compete for available phosphorus.

How do you start a herb garden for beginners?

The Main Things You Will Need Are:
  1. Large Pots (clay or plastic) 8" to 18" in diameter (It is a good idea to combine several herbs that have the same watering requirements into a single container)
  2. Good Potting Soil (enough to fill your pots)
  3. Plant fertilizer (Organic herb or vegetable fertilizer is recommended)

What are the easiest herbs to grow?

The 10 Easiest Herbs To Grow
  • 1 Basil. Amazon. $1.90. $0.89 (53% off)
  • 2 Thyme. Lazing Bee. $2.99. BUY NOW.
  • 3 Bay Leaf. Amazon. $6.25. BUY NOW.
  • 4 Lemongrass. Oleysa/Getty Images. $15.77. BUY NOW.
  • 5 Oregano. Amazon. $7.85. BUY NOW.
  • 6 Mint. Amazon. Good culinary and tea varieties. $29.99.
  • 7 Sage. Amazon. $4.99. BUY NOW.
  • 8 Rosemary. Amazon. $24.99.

Can herbs grow without direct sunlight?

Urban Gardening: Shade-Tolerant Herbs to Grow in Your Apartment. Above: Soft, leafy herbs such as chives, parsley, mint, cilantro, tarragon, oregano, and lemon balm can do quite well in slightly shadier spots (though tread lightly with basil and dill, which are soft-leaved, but require full sun).

How often do you water herbs?

Most herbs need about 4 hours of sunlight per day and on average watering should be done when the soil feels dry to the touch. Some herbs can be kept more moist such as Basil, others need to have soil dry completely between watering such as Lavender.

Why do my herbs keep dying?

Herbs are among the easiest plants to grow, and are often very forgiving of neglect, poor soil conditions, and strange weather. You may even see what had looked like dying herbs perk up and unfurl their leaves within a couple of hours. Water can also be a factor in the wilting of your indoor herbs.

Can you grow herbs in small pots?

Small pots can hold individual herb plants, while the larger sizes are perfect for an instant herb garden on decks and patios. 2) Fill pots with a good quality potting soil. It may be tempting to fill your containers with garden soil, but garden soil quickly compacts in pots, reducing soil drainage and porosity.

How fast do herbs grow?

Patience is essential when growing herbs! It is not unusual for seed to take two to four weeks to germinate, although some herbs are much faster. For most herbs, a germination temperature of 70°F is optimal. If you keep your thermostat lower, you should invest in a heat mat to start your seeds.

How do you cut herbs without killing plants?

You still want to pinch or cut off the stem of a plant a quarter inch above a pair of leaves if possible, just like when you're pruning. This is the best way to make sure that you get more than one harvest out of your plant. If you start pulling leaves off your plant you are basically just killing it.

Is it better to grow herbs in pots or ground?

Herbs are very easy to grow with a little sunshine, soil that drains well, some watering, and a little fertilizer or compost. Herbs can be grown in pots; however, the plants always prefer to be in the ground where they can spread out.

What herbs will survive winter?

So, here are some herbs that do a little better in chilly weather—the perfect winter herbs to grow and eat.
  • Rosemary. Rosemary is a perennial herb, which means that it can be grown year-round, and sturdy enough to defend itself against icy temperatures.
  • Parsley.
  • Thyme.
  • Winter savory.
  • Basil.

Do herbs grow back after cutting?

The cut stem won't grow any further, almost like a signal to your plant that it can grow that way. You can start trimming when your plant grows to 3-4” above the soil (making sure there are still some good leaves left behind), this will give you a sturdy base to grow on.

Do herbs spread?

Crowd Control. Some herbs become invasive, crowd other plants, and even take over a garden. Tansy (shown), catnip, comfrey, horseradish, lemon balm, hops, artemisia, all kinds of mint, and some other herbs spread aggressively via underground runners unless you control them.

Does lavender grow back?

Lavender is a perennial herb that continues to grow each year. Lavender is a woody perennial, so it does continue to grow from year to year, but the stems remain upright through the winter in preparation for new spring growth. With proper care and pruning, lavender will survive in the garden for years to come.

Should herbs be cut back for winter?

Cut back herbs such as germander, marjoram, oregano, and winter savory—by half in the spring to get rid of old foliage that was not harvested in the prior year.

Does basil grow back every year?

Also known as common or sweet basil, basil (U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 11 for outdoor gardens) is a true annual, which means it needs to be replanted each season. In most circumstances, it does not grow back after a year.

What is the life cycle of an annual plant?

"Life cycle" means the amount of time it takes a plant to grow from seed and end up, finally, bearing seeds of its own. Botanically speaking, annual plants complete their life cycle within one growing season (typically, from spring to fall): You place the seeds from last year's flowers in the ground in spring.

Can you grow herbs all year round?

Growing herbs indoors makes harvesting easy and is a great idea if you don't have a garden or balcony. It also extends the season for annual herbs so you'll have fresh produce all year round. Suitable herbs to grow indoors on the windowsill include chives, parsley, basil, coriander, marjoram, dill and mint.