Is there any herb that you grow once but harvest for years? The answer surely keeps you satisfied. Perennial herbs enable you do deal with this. Their function are beyond the kitchen. Some are key ingredients in skin and beauty products and some even charming home decorations. Let’s take lavender as an example. It’s one of my favorite herbs for cooking and showing inside the house.

So, you’ve guessed what this post is about, right? It shares 10 perennial herbs that you can harvest year after year. You may start them with seeds directly in soil of your garden. If yours does not have enough space for these herbs, you can definitely plant them in pots and containers. Some grown inside can help repel mosquitoes and flies, and also adds fragrant smell to the space. Then, there is no excuse to not grow herbs at home. Let’s check them out!

#1 Lavender

Lavender plants love full sun and well-draining soil to best grow. To harvest lavender, you should harvest it once buds have formed but before the flowers are fully open. This enables you to reap optimal color and fragrance from your plants.

Cut lavender and tie into small bundles, and hang upside down in a warm-dry place that is out of direct sunlight. Your lavender is ready to use for after 2-4 weeks. Gently shake off blossoms and leaves into an airtight jar.

#2 Cilantro

Like lavender, cilantro is also a full sun-loving plant. It needs well-drained, moist soil to grow. The difference of the two is that cilantro is not desirable once dried and almost immediately begins to lose flavor after it is harvested. So, here is the best tip to enjoy it: snip the new growth from the top of the plant and use right away throughout the growing season.

#3 Chives

You should sow chive seeds in rich, fertile, moist and well-draining soil. Makes sure that they receive full sun to grow. You may need some organic material such as compost to amend the soil.

As this herb spreads quickly if left to seed, you can harvest them after about 60 days. 3-4 times in the first year and monthly in the subsequent growing seasons. Chop leaves all the way back, leaving the plant 1-2 inches above the soil. Use fresh for freeze in an airtight container.

#4 Rosemary

Plant rosemary in well-drained, sandy soil in full sun places for better growth. As rosemary plants need a lot of room ro spread their root, make sure that you give them enough. Prune regularly and water deeply but don’t keep the soil too wet.

To harvest, trim rosemary back weekly once established and use fresh right away. Trimming 2 or 3 inches at a time helps the plants grow well and encourage new plants to form.

#5 Oregano

Oregano is a wonderful companion for many plants. Oregano plants best grow when planted in full sun place with well-draining soil.  You should also trim these plants frequently to encourage full growth. To harvest, trim flower buds to get the richest flavor. They are great to enjoy fresh, and tie into small bundles and hang to dry in a dark, dry spot.

#6 Lemon Balm

It’s best to plant lemon balm in a raised container by itself as this plant can quickly become invasive once established. It is incredibly hardy and grows well almost any conditions.

To harvest, pick as many leaves as you need once the plant has started to grow. Tie in bundle and hang upside down in a dark place to dry.

#7 Sage

It’s quite hard to start planting sage with seeds. Instead, you can use young plants and grow them in full sun with well-draining soil. Keep the soil moist but don’t allow water to sit.

To best harvest, you should only clip off a few inches of the plant right above the spot where the leaves meet in the first growing season by . Dry leaves and crumble them as needed for seasoning.

#8 Thyme

Thyme does not require much care. It thrives in hot conditions with full sun and all it needs is thorough watering when the soil is dry to flourish. It best grows when sawn from a small thyme plant.

To harvest, trim off sprigs and use fresh just before the plant flowers or anytime throughout the growing season. It can also be dried or frozen in an airtight container for later use.

#9 Mint

Mint is also a perennial herb that you can harvest for years. As their type varies, make sure that you choose ones that are appealing for your garden and your taste buds. It’s better to start with mint plants rather than seeds, and plant them in a container or a separate herb garden.

To harvest, pick leaves as you need them or cut down to one inch above the soil right before flowering.

#10 Roman Chamomile

Chamomile isn’t physically perennial herb but offers big crops year after year. Its cheery white and yellow flowers make it a wonderful choice to break up traditional green herbs. These flowers bloom all summer long.

To harvest chamomile flowers, pluck the heads from the stems when the flower petals are white and the centers are a vibrant yellow. You should use scissors or shears. Store these in a large paper bag to dry for at least two weeks.