22 Perennial Herbs to Plant Now & Enjoy Forever

Tired of your herb garden fading with the seasons? Try perennial herbs! These herbs not only endure throughout the years, they transform your garden into a fragrant, edible landscape that keeps on giving. 

From the classic to the unexpected, these perennial herbs will bring life and zest to your kitchen and your yard. 

1. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

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Image Credit: gigsuppajit/Deposit Photos
  • Water Requirement: Moderate. Keep soil moist but well-drained.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun is best, but tolerates partial shade.
  • Maximum Matured Height: 12-18 inches.
  • Bloom Time: Spring to early summer, with pretty purple flowers.
  • US Zones: 3-9

Chives are a kitchen staple, adding mild onion flavor to dishes. Their flowers are also edible and make a pretty garnish.

2. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

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Image Credit: nblx/Shutterstock
  • Water Requirement: Low to moderate. Thyme prefers drier conditions.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun is ideal.
  • Maximum Matured Height: 6-12 inches.
  • Bloom Time: Summer, with tiny pink or purple flowers.
  • US Zones: 5-9

Thyme comes in many varieties, each with a unique flavor profile. It’s a must-have for any herb garden.

3. Mint (Mentha spp.)

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Image Credit: Vadim ZH/Shutterstock
  • Water Requirement: Moderate to high. Mint likes consistently moist soil.
  • Sun Exposure: Partial to full sun.
  • Maximum Matured Height: Varies by variety, but most stay under 2 feet.
  • Bloom Time: Summer, with small purple, pink, or white flowers.
  • US Zones: 3-11

Mint is vigorous and spreads quickly, so it’s best to plant it in a container or give it plenty of space. It’s great for teas, cocktails, and desserts.

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4. Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

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Image Credit: EQRoy/Shutterstock
  • Water Requirement: Moderate. Water regularly, especially during hot weather.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun is preferred.
  • Maximum Matured Height: 12-24 inches.
  • Bloom Time: Summer, with pink or purple flowers that attract pollinators.
  • US Zones: 4-9

Oregano is an essential herb for Mediterranean cuisine. It’s also lovely in flower arrangements.

5. Sage (Salvia officinalis)

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Image Credit: Olesya Baron/Shutterstock
  • Water Requirement: Low to moderate. Sage is drought-tolerant once established.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun is ideal.
  • Maximum Matured Height: 12-24 inches.
  • Bloom Time: Summer, with purple, blue, or white flowers.
  • US Zones: 5-9

Sage has a strong, earthy flavor and is used in both cooking and medicinal remedies. It’s also a beautiful ornamental plant.

6. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

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Image Credit: re_bekka/Deposit Photos
  • Water Requirement: Low to moderate. Lavender prefers drier conditions.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun is best.
  • Maximum Matured Height: Varies by variety, but many stay under 2 feet.
  • Bloom Time: Summer, with fragrant purple, pink, or white flowers.
  • US Zones: 5-9

Lavender is prized for its calming aroma and beautiful flowers. It’s used in potpourri, aromatherapy, and even cooking.

7. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

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Image Credit: Kaiskynet Studio/Shutterstock
  • Water Requirement: Low to moderate. Rosemary is drought-tolerant once established.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun is best.
  • Maximum Matured Height: Varies by variety, but most stay under 2 feet.
  • Bloom Time: Spring and summer, with small blue flowers.
  • US Zones: 7-10

Rosemary has a pungent, piney flavor and is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine. It’s also used in aromatherapy and as an ornamental plant.

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8. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

22 Perennial Herbs to Plant Now & Enjoy Forever - lemon balm dp180875176
Image Credit: belchonock/Deposit Photos
  • Water Requirement: Moderate. Keep soil consistently moist.
  • Sun Exposure: Partial to full sun.
  • Maximum Matured Height: 12-24 inches.
  • Bloom Time: Summer, with small white or pale yellow flowers.
  • US Zones: 4-9

Lemon balm has a lemony scent and flavor, and it’s used in teas, salads, and desserts. It’s also said to have calming properties.

9. Marjoram (Origanum majorana)

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Image Credit: Tunedln61/Deposit Photos
  • Water Requirement: Moderate. Keep soil moist but well-drained.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun is best, but tolerates partial shade.
  • Maximum Matured Height: 12-18 inches.
  • Bloom Time: Summer, with small white or pink flowers.
  • US Zones: 5-9

Marjoram is a sweeter, milder relative of oregano, perfect for poultry, stuffing, and tomato sauces.

10. Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)

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Image Credit: JPC-PROD/Shutterstock
  • Water Requirement: Low to moderate. Drought-tolerant once established.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun.
  • Maximum Matured Height: 18-24 inches.
  • Bloom Time: Summer, with showy blue, pink, or white flowers.
  • US Zones: 4-9

Hyssop has a minty, slightly bitter flavor and is used in teas, liqueurs, and savory dishes. The flowers are also edible.

11. French Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa)

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Image Credit: ChiccoDodiFC/Deposit Photos
  • Water Requirement: Moderate. Keep soil consistently moist.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun.
  • Maximum Matured Height: 12-24 inches.
  • Bloom Time: Summer, with small greenish-yellow flowers.
  • US Zones: 4-9

French tarragon has a licorice-like flavor and is a key ingredient in béarnaise sauce and other French dishes.

12. Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

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Image Credit: Sleepyhobbit/Shutterstock
  • Water Requirement: Low to moderate. Drought-tolerant once established.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade.
  • Maximum Matured Height: 24-36 inches.
  • Bloom Time: Summer, with white or lavender flowers.
  • US Zones: 3-9

Catnip is famous for its effect on cats, but it also makes a tasty tea and can be used in cooking.

13. Lovage (Levisticum officinale)

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Image Credit: Lubos Chlubny/Shutterstock
  • Water Requirement: Moderate. Keep soil consistently moist.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade.
  • Maximum Matured Height: 4-6 feet.
  • Bloom Time: Summer, with yellow flowers.
  • US Zones: 4-9

Lovage has a celery-like flavor and can be used in soups, stews, and salads. It’s a tall plant, so give it plenty of space.

14. Winter Savory (Satureja montana)

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Image Credit: HandmadePicture/Deposit Photos
  • Water Requirement: Low to moderate. Drought-tolerant once established.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun.
  • Maximum Matured Height: 12-18 inches.
  • Bloom Time: Summer, with pink or white flowers.
  • US Zones: 5-9

Winter savory has a peppery flavor and is used in bean dishes, sausages, and stuffings.

15. Salad Burnet (Sanguisorba minor)

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Image Credit: YK1500/Deposit Photos
  • Water Requirement: Low to moderate. Drought-tolerant once established.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade.
  • Maximum Matured Height: 12-18 inches.
  • Bloom Time: Summer, with reddish-purple flowers.
  • US Zones: 4-8

Salad burnet has a cucumber-like flavor and is a great addition to salads, sandwiches, and drinks.

16. Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)

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Image Credit: znmystery/Deposit Photos
  • Water Requirement: Moderate to high. Keep soil consistently moist.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade.
  • Maximum Matured Height: 2-4 feet, depending on variety.
  • Bloom Time: Summer, with showy red, pink, purple, or white flowers.
  • US Zones: 4-9

Bee balm is a favorite of pollinators like bees and butterflies. Its leaves can be used for tea, and the flowers are edible.

17. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

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Image Credit: imagebrokermicrostock/Deposit Photos
  • Water Requirement: Low to moderate. Drought-tolerant once established.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun.
  • Maximum Matured Height: 1-3 feet, depending on variety.
  • Bloom Time: Summer, with flat-topped clusters of white, yellow, pink, or red flowers.
  • US Zones: 3-9

Yarrow has feathery foliage and a long history of medicinal use. It’s also a beautiful addition to the landscape.

18. Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)

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Image Credit: Ivanka Kunianska/Shutterstock
  • Water Requirement: Low to moderate. Tolerates some drought.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun.
  • Maximum Matured Height: 6-12 inches.
  • Bloom Time: Summer, with daisy-like white flowers.
  • US Zones: 4-9

Roman chamomile is known for its calming and soothing properties. The flowers are used to make tea.

19. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)

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Image Credit: ironstuff/Deposit Photos
  • Water Requirement: Moderate. Keep soil moist but well-drained.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun.
  • Maximum Matured Height: 2-3 feet.
  • Bloom Time: Summer, with tall spikes of purple, blue, or pink flowers.
  • US Zones: 4-10

Anise hyssop has licorice-scented leaves and attracts pollinators with its long-lasting blooms.

20. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

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Image Credit: franky242/Deposit Photos
  • Water Requirement: Moderate. Keep soil consistently moist.
  • Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade.
  • Maximum Matured Height: 6-12 inches.
  • Bloom Time: Spring, with small white flowers.
  • US Zones: 4-8

Sweet woodruff has a sweet, hay-like scent when dried and is used in potpourri and May wine.

21. Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum)

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Image Credit: Kitzcorner/Deposit Photos
  • Water Requirement: Moderate. Keep soil moist but well-drained.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun.
  • Maximum Matured Height: 12-18 inches.
  • Bloom Time: Late summer to fall, with white star-shaped flowers.
  • US Zones: 3-9

Garlic chives have a mild garlic flavor and are used in a variety of dishes. The flowers are also edible.

22. Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum)

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Image Credit: RukiMedia/Deposit Photos
  • Water Requirement: Low to moderate. Drought-tolerant once established.
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade.
  • Maximum Matured Height: 12-18 inches.
  • Bloom Time: Summer, with magenta-pink flowers.
  • US Zones: 3-8

Bloody cranesbill is a low-growing perennial with attractive foliage and flowers. It’s often used as a ground cover.

These easy-to-grow plants not only elevate your culinary creations but also bring beauty and life to your outdoor space. With a little planning and care, you can enjoy the rewards of these perennial herbs from season to season. 

davin
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.