10 Perennial Herbs to Plant Once and Harvest Forever

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Creating a vibrant, thriving herb garden that consistently rewards you with fresh flavors and scents is a true labor of love. Perennial herbs provide an even greater return on your investment by yielding harvests year after year, requiring minimal intervention once they’re established. Whether you’re an avid gardener, a sustainability advocate, or someone looking to dip their toes into the world of growing herbs, this guide is tailored to introduce you to the hardy champions of the herb world — plants that give endlessly with minimal input.

Why Perennials Rule the Plot

Perennial herbs are the backbone of a sustainable kitchen garden. They often demand less water, care, and financial input than their annual counterparts. Instead of the annual cycle of planting, nurturing, and then starting all over again, perennial herbs offer a consistent supply, making them a sustainable and rewarding choice for any gardener.

Perennial Benefits

• Sustainability: By returning year after year, perennial herbs reduce the need for tilling, planting, and water consumption. This is a conscious choice for eco-friendly practices.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Less need for purchasing seeds or plants annually leads to money saved over time.
• Low Maintenance: Once planted, they often require only minimal upkeep.

Essentials for Every Gardener

When stocking your garden pantry, certain herbs are foundational. Here are ten perennial herbs you can plant once to enjoy forever, each bringing unique flavors and contributions to your garden and home.

1. Mint

Mint can be the crown jewel or the rogue warrior of your garden, depending on how you handle it. With dozens of varieties offering an assortment of flavors, mint is a family favorite for beverages, desserts, and savory dishes alike.

Mint’s Evergreen Presence

• With varieties like peppermint, spearmint, and chocolate mint, each bringing a unique touch to your culinary creations, mint is a must-have.
• Mint loves damp soil and partial shade, making it perfect for a patch near a water source.
• But beware, plant mint in containers to keep its spreading rhizomes in check.

2. Oregano

Oregano’s rich, earthy flavor is a staple in Italian and Mexican cuisines. It’s the taste of summer captured in leaf form, adding depth to any tomato-based dish and a punch to a bean soup.

Cultivating Oregano

• Greek, Italian, and Mexican oregano each have their unique profiles. Find the right variety for your palate.
• This Mediterranean native craves well-draining soil and full sun.
• Harvest oregano before it blooms for the most intense flavor.

3. Thyme

Thyme, a hardy low-growing shrub, doesn’t just enhance the flavor of roasts and stews; it can also be a beautiful, subtle ground cover in your garden.

Time for Thyme

• From common thyme to lemon and variegated thyme, there’s an option for every gardener’s taste.
• It thrives in poor, rocky soil and loves sunshine, making it an excellent candidate for the most challenging garden plots.
• Prune thyme often to prevent it from becoming too woody and stimulate growth.

4. Rosemary

Rosemary is a herb garden staple, known for its pungent aroma and piney flavor. It’s excellent for seasoning meats, stews, and roasted vegetables.

Ruling with Rosemary

• This herb loves it on the drier side, making it perfect for xeriscaping.
• Annual pruning after the last frost ensures that rosemary maintains a healthy shape and plenty of greenery for harvesting.
• Propagate rosemary through cuttings, and you’ll have extra plants to share or expand your garden.

5. Sage

With its soft, green-gray leaves and musky flavor, sage is a classic pairing with poultry and stuffings. In the garden, its soft appearance belies its robust heart.

Sage Advice

• Both common and purple sage varieties are excellent for the garden and the kitchen.
• Give sage full sun and well-drained soil to keep it happy.
• Harvest leaves early in the summer to promote bushier growth.

6. Marjoram

Marjoram is often confused with oregano, and the two share a close species relationship. Yet marjoram stands alone in its milder, almost floral flavor.

The Marjoram Mystery

• Sweet marjoram, a common type, is the go-to for culinary use.
• Grow marjoram in full sun and well-draining soil.
• Harvest marjoram just before it flowers for peak flavor.

7. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm’s citrus-bright leaves add zingy notes to teas and salads. It’s also a calming herb, making a soothing addition to the garden.

Managing Lemon Balm’s Zest

• Plant lemon balm in partial shade to keep its leaves from scorching.
• Regular harvesting will prevent it from taking over the garden.
• Though it can spread, lemon balm’s cheerful demeanor and lemon-scented, heart-shaped leaves are beloved by pollinators.

8. Lavender

Lavender’s heavenly scent isn’t the only reason to cultivate this perennial beauty. In the kitchen, lavender adds a floral note to dishes and is a great companion to sweets.

Lavishing in Lavender

• English, French, and Spanish lavenders each bring their unique appeal.
• Lavender craves full sun and well-drained soil.
• Harvest lavender just after the bloom when the color is intense, for maximum aroma and flavor.

9. Chives

Chives’ thin, hollow leaves offer a mild onion flavor that’s perfect for fresh summer salads or as a finishing touch on soups.

Cheerful Chives

• Perfect for container gardening, chives are a kitchen standby that grows well indoors or outdoors.
• Divide clumps every few years to keep chives vigorous.
• Cut back chive flowers to encourage new growth and prevent re-seeding.

10. Cilantro (Coriander): The Dual-Purpose Wonder

The bright, citrusy leaves of cilantro are a partner to countless dishes, especially those hailing from Mexico, India, and Southeast Asia. But wait — there’s more.

The Wonder of Cilantro

• In its seed form, known as coriander, this herb adds depth to culinary dishes and is a common component of many spice blends.
• Cilantro prefers cooler temperatures, so harvest early on hot days and plant additional seeds regularly to ensure a consistent crop.
• Try to enjoy the leaves before the plant goes to seed, but once it does, you have coriander to add to your spice arsenal.

Cultivating Success: Tips and Tricks for Perennial Herb Care

To ensure your perennial herb garden thrives, a little care and understanding can go a long way.

Perennial Principles:

• Prepare your soil well before planting with compost or aged manure to provide the nutrients your herbs will need.
• Water deeply and infrequently to encourage strong root systems.
• Mulching with organic material will help retain moisture and deter weeds.
• Fertilize lightly in the spring with a balanced organic fertilizer to give your herbs a boost.
• In colder climates, consider a layer of mulch or moving potted herbs indoors before frost to ensure their survival.

From Garden to Table: Harvesting and Utilizing Your Perennial Herbs

Once the harvest season arrives, it’s time to collect the bounty and preserve the flavors for the winter months. Here’s how to do it right.

Pruning Prep:

• Harvest in the morning when the essential oils are most potent.
• To promote bushy growth, cut no more than one-third of the plant back at a time.
• Dry or freeze your herbs to enjoy their flavors when they’re no longer in season.

Simple Showcase Recipes:

• Mint and pea soup
• Rosemary and lemon roasted chicken
• Lavender shortbread cookies

The Sustainable Choice: Environmental Benefits of Perennial Herbs

The benefits of growing your own perennial herbs extend beyond your garden and kitchen.

A Greener Garden:

• Reduced water consumption compared to annual crops makes perennial herbs a wise choice for water conservation.
• Perennial gardens create habitats for beneficial insects and pollinators.
• Sharing your harvest with friends and neighbors fosters a sense of community and sustainability.

Final Thoughts: The Perpetual Harvest

The act of gardening — choosing, planting, nurturing — is an act of hope. Perennial herbs offer the added joy of seeing that hope fulfilled season after season. By taking the time to choose the right plants for your garden, giving them the attention they need, and relishing the fruits of your labor, you’re not just growing an herb garden; you’re cultivating a way of life, one of sustainability and perennial pleasure.

Lifelong learning is also a garden. My online course on herb gardening is a path to deeper understanding and richer harvests. Sign up today and take the first step toward a lifetime of enjoying your own freshly-grown herbs!