10 Easy Herbs I Love Growing Every Summer
One of my favorite places in my garden used to be my little herb bed. There was something so relaxing about walking outside on a summer evening and brushing my hand across rosemary, lavender, or mint. Every herb has its own fragrance, and together they create a garden that’s just as enjoyable to smell as it is to look at.
The best part? Most herbs are surprisingly easy to grow, and many can be used in the kitchen, tucked into bouquets, or simply enjoyed in the garden. Whether you’re planting a large raised bed or just a few pots on your porch, these are the herbs I find myself growing again and again.
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Basil
If summer had a scent, I think it would be basil. Fresh basil is one of my favorite herbs to grow because it’s easy, productive, and smells incredible. Whether you’re making homemade pesto, adding it to fresh tomatoes, or tucking a few sprigs into a bouquet, it’s one herb I never want to be without.
Good to know
Annual
Loves heat and sunshine
Harvest often for more growth
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Thyme
Thyme may be small, but it’s one of the hardest-working herbs in the garden. It has tiny leaves, a wonderful earthy fragrance, and returns year after year in many climates. I love planting it near pathways where you can brush against it and enjoy its scent.
Good to know
Perennial in many areas
Full sun
Drought tolerant
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Rosemary
There’s something about rosemary that instantly makes me think of cozy kitchens and summer evenings.
Its beautiful evergreen foliage looks just as pretty in the garden as it does in a flower arrangement. I love clipping a few stems to add texture—and the fragrance is amazing.
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Lavender
If I had to choose the most relaxing plant in my garden, lavender would probably win. Its soft purple blooms, calming fragrance, and ability to attract bees make it one of my absolute favorites. I also love drying bundles to enjoy long after summer is over.
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Parsley
Parsley isn’t flashy, but it’s one of those herbs I always find myself reaching for. It’s easy to grow, beautiful mixed into containers, and useful in so many recipes.
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Cilantro
People seem to either love cilantro or avoid it completely. If you’re a fan, growing your own is such a treat. It grows best during the cooler parts of the growing season, so I always try to enjoy it before the hottest days of summer arrive.
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Oregano
Oregano quietly earns its place in every herb garden. It smells wonderful, spreads into a lovely little mound, and comes back year after year in many gardens.
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Dill
Dill is one of those herbs that’s just plain fun to grow. Its feathery foliage adds beautiful texture to both the garden and fresh bouquets, and when it flowers, pollinators absolutely love it.
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Mint
Mint may be one of the easiest herbs you’ll ever grow…Maybe too easy. It spreads quickly, so I always recommend growing it in a container unless you want it taking over your garden. But its fresh scent is hard to beat, especially on warm summer evenings. I also love clipping a few sprigs for bouquets because they add the sweetest fragrance!
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Sage
Soft, silvery leaves make sage just as beautiful as many ornamental plants. It’s another herb I love adding to flower arrangements because it brings texture, softness, and a wonderful earthy fragrance.
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One of My Favorite Ways to Use Herbs
One thing many people don’t realize is that herbs aren’t just for cooking. I absolutely love mixing fresh herbs into flower arrangements. A few stems of rosemary, mint, sage, or lavender instantly make a bouquet feel more natural, and the fragrance is incredible. Every time someone picks up the bouquet, they’re greeted with that fresh garden scent. It’s one of my favorite little tricks for making arrangements feel extra special.
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Final Thoughts
Herb gardens have always been some of my favorite spaces to grow.
They’re beautiful, practical, wonderfully fragrant, and surprisingly easy to care for. Even if all you have is a sunny porch and a few pots, you can enjoy fresh herbs all summer long. If you’ve never grown herbs before, I hope this encourages you to give them a try. You might be surprised how something so simple can make your garden (and your kitchen) feel just a little more special!
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Amy’s Garden Note
A small herb bed was one of my favorite parts of my garden for years. There was something so peaceful about stepping outside, brushing my hand across the herbs, and breathing in all those wonderful scents. It’s a reminder that sometimes the simplest parts of a garden become the ones we treasure most.
