How to Start a Simple Southern Herb Garden

There’s something downright magical about stepping outside and snipping fresh herbs for supper—especially when they’re growing right on your porch or in your backyard. A little basil for your homemade tomato sauce, some mint for sweet tea, or rosemary to make your whole kitchen smell like Sunday dinner. Best part? You don’t need a ton of space, fancy equipment, or even a green thumb to grow an herb garden that thrives in our good ol’ Southern weather.

If you’ve been thinking about adding a touch of fresh, homegrown goodness to your meals, this guide will walk you through how to start a simple Southern herb garden—no stress, no fuss, just easy-growing herbs that’ll make you feel like a true kitchen gardener in no time.

Why Every Southern Home Needs an Herb Garden

An herb garden isn’t just about convenience—it’s about flavor, health, and a little bit of that Southern charm. Homegrown herbs:
🌿 Add a burst of fresh taste to your cooking.
🌿 Save you money (no more overpriced grocery store herbs that wilt in two days!).
🌿 Naturally repel pests (looking at you, mosquitoes!).
🌿 Smell amazing and make your space feel cozy and inviting.
🌿 Are surprisingly easy to grow—even if you tend to forget to water.

Whether you have a sprawling backyard or just a sunny windowsill, there’s a way to make an herb garden work for you.

Choosing the Best Herbs for a Southern Garden

Not all herbs love the heat and humidity, but lucky for us, some thrive in it! Here are the best herbs for a Southern herb garden that’ll stand up to our warm summers and mild winters:

Easy-to-Grow, Low-Maintenance Herbs:

• Basil – Loves the heat, grows fast, and tastes amazing in everything from pasta to salads.
• Rosemary – Practically indestructible once established and smells incredible.
• Mint – Grows like crazy (so keep it in a pot unless you want it everywhere!).
• Oregano – Handles heat well and perfect for seasoning Southern comfort food.
• Thyme – A delicate, drought-tolerant herb that’s great for seasoning meats and veggies.
• Chives – Super low-maintenance and a great alternative to green onions.

Extra Hardy, Perennial Herbs (Come Back Every Year!):

• Sage – Tough as nails and great for holiday cooking.
• Lemon Balm – Smells like sunshine and naturally repels mosquitoes.
• Lavender – A little more finicky, but totally worth it for that soothing scent.

Where to Plant Your Herb Garden

Now that you’ve picked your herbs, it’s time to find the best spot for them. Thankfully, herbs aren’t too picky, but here are a few things to keep in mind:

☀️ Sunlight: Most herbs need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day, so a sunny porch, patio, or garden bed works best.
🌱 Soil: Well-draining soil is key. If your yard has heavy clay, mix in some compost or potting soil to lighten it up.
💦 Watering: Herbs don’t like sitting in soggy soil. A deep watering 2-3 times a week is better than a little every day.
🪴 Container or In-Ground? If space is tight or you want herbs close to your kitchen, plant them in pots for easy access. If you have a garden bed, group herbs together based on their water needs (rosemary and thyme like it drier, while basil and mint prefer more moisture).

How to Keep Your Herb Garden Thriving

Growing herbs is easy, but a little TLC goes a long way. Here’s how to keep them healthy and happy:

• Harvest often! The more you snip, the more they grow. Just don’t take more than one-third of the plant at a time.
• Pinch basil and mint leaves regularly to keep them from getting leggy.
• Trim flowering herbs like basil and oregano to encourage leaf growth (flowers mean the plant is slowing down).
• Fertilize lightly once a month with compost or organic fertilizer—too much and they’ll lose their flavor.
• Bring tender herbs inside in the winter (like basil) or cover outdoor perennials with mulch to protect them from frost.

Simple Southern Herb Garden Layout Ideas

🌿 Mason Jar Windowsill Garden – Perfect if you have no outdoor space. Line up a few mason jars in a sunny window, fill them with soil, and plant your favorites.

🌿 Front Porch Planter Box – A long, rectangular planter filled with basil, rosemary, and mint makes a charming and functional addition to any porch.

🌿 Hanging Herb Garden – If you’re short on space, try hanging baskets of trailing thyme, oregano, and chives.

🌿 Raised Garden Bed – If you’ve got the room, a 4x4 raised bed with sections for different herbs is an easy, beginner-friendly setup.

🌿 Potted Herbs by the Back Door – Keep them near the kitchen for quick snipping! A big terra cotta pot with a mix of herbs makes a beautiful and useful addition to any backyard.