If you’re anything like me, you love having fresh herbs on hand to toss into whatever you’re cooking such as soups, roasted veggies, even your morning eggs. The good news? You don’t have to say goodbye to fresh herbs just because the temperatures are dropping.
In fact, fall is one of my favorite times to plant herbs. The cooler weather is perfect for growing certain varieties, and many of them are surprisingly hardy, even through winter. Some herbs will keep growing right through the cooler months, while others can be harvested and preserved to keep your kitchen stocked with garden-fresh flavor.
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HOW TO GROW A FALL HERB GARDEN
Growing herbs in the cooler seasons is surprisingly simple, and so worth it. You don’t need a ton of space, and you definitely don’t need to start from scratch if you already have a summer garden. Here’s how I like to set up my fall herb garden to keep my garden growing through this time of year:
CHOOSE THE RIGHT HERBS
Start with herbs that actually like cooler weather (don’t worry—I’ve got a list for you below!). Some herbs thrive in fall’s mild days and crisp nights, while others can survive through light frosts and even bounce back after a freeze.
DECIDE WHERE TO PLANT
You’ve got a few options:
- Raised beds: If you already have a veggie garden, tuck herbs into the corners or edges.
- Containers: Great for flexibility. I love placing pots right by my back door so I can snip what I need while cooking.
- Indoor windowsill garden: Perfect for more tender herbs or if you want easy access during chilly days.
- Indoor vertical herb garden: One of my favorite ways to grow herbs year-round, especially when outdoor space is limited. A vertical setup will help save space and bring some greenery inside your home. If you’re curious how to get started, I shared all 🔗my tips here.
- Indoor AeroGarden: These countertop hydroponic systems are perfect for growing herbs indoors with zero soil and very little effort. They’re especially handy in winter when sunlight is scarce, thanks to built-in grow lights. If you’re wondering which herbs and leafy greens thrive in an AeroGarden, 🔗 check out my guide here.
Just make sure your herbs get at least 4–6 hours of sunlight daily, even in fall. If you’re planting indoors, south-facing windows are your best friend.
Indoor Herb Garden with Aerogarden
START FROM PLANTS, NOT SEEDS
This time of year, I usually go for young transplants from a nursery rather than seeds. You’ll get a quicker harvest and won’t have to stress about germination in cooler soil.
WATER WISELY
While the cooler air slows down evaporation, your herbs will still need regular watering, especially if they’re in pots. I like to check the soil with my finger; if the top inch is dry, it’s time to water.
HARVEST OFTEN
The more you snip, the more your herbs will grow (within reason, of course). Just don’t take more than a third of the plant at once, and your herbs will reward you with fresh new growth.
TOP 10 HERBS TO GROW THIS FALL
1. CALENDULA
Also called pot marigold, with edible petals, lovely fall color, and cold hardy down to ~20 °F. Plus it attracts pests away from leafy greens. Calendula is hands down one of my favorite flower herbs to grow! 🔗 Learn More About Growing Calendula
My favorite calendula varieties to grow:
- Butterfly Flowers Flashback Calendula – This cheerful mix will give you flowers in rosy-peach, cream, apricot, and bright orange. Flashbacks feature semi-double blossoms that are 2″ to 3″ across.
- Orange and Lemon Twist Calendula Mix – This mix will give you gorgeous golden yellow and orange flowers that will bloom nonstop all summer long.
- Zeolights Calendula – These bronzy orange petals fade to a soft pink with a yellow base. So pretty!
2. CHAMOMILE
German chamomile reseeds easily and dies after frost; Roman chamomile is perennial down to ~5 °F. Brew the blossoms for homemade tea all winter long. I find that chamomile takes longer to grow than expected, but once you have this herb growing, it will easily self seed so you do not have to replant again the next year.
I love harvesting the flowers for fresh chamomile tea or also letting them dry and store in an airtight container for later use.
My favorite chamomile variety to grow:
- Bodegold Chamomile – This German variety of chamomile is known to flower a bit earlier than other varieties and produces lots of flowers to collect and dry for tea or dried flower arrangements.
3. CHIVES
Nearly foolproof and extremely cold-hardy. Best planted as transplants now for fall harvest. Chives will die back in winter, even mild winters, and come back full force once early spring arrives. Once you have your own chives, it’s effortless to snip fresh flavor for your favorite dishes without making an extra trip to the store.
My favorite chive variety to grow:
- Culinary Chives – Easy to grow and has a mild onion flavor. Produces lilac blossoms in the spring that attracts pollinators to your garden.
4. CILANTRO
Love cilantro? Me too! Since it bolts quickly in the heat, fall is the perfect season to grow it—especially if you’re in a warmer zone. Cilantro doesn’t tolerate freezing temps, so be sure to plant starts at least four weeks before your first frost date to enjoy plenty of fresh leaves. 🔗 Learn more about growing cilantro.
My favorite cilantro variety:
- Slow-Bolt Cilantro – This is the best variety to grow in climates with mild fall and winters. Let it go to seed and you will have cilantro come back on it’s own for spring!
5. DILL
Dill is one of those herbs that just feels like fall to me. Its feathery leaves look beautiful in the garden and add a burst of fresh flavor to soups, roasted veggies, and homemade pickles. The cooler temps of autumn (40–75°F) are perfect for dill, and it grows quickly once it’s established.
You can start dill from seed or grab a transplant if you want a head start. If you’re sowing seeds, plant them directly in the garden or in a pot because dill doesn’t like being moved. 🔗 Learn more about growing your own organic dill.
My favorite dill variety to grow:
- Dukat Dill – This is the perfect dill for the home gardener who loves to add dill to side dishes of veggies, soups, or over fish.
6. OREGANO
Oregano is a must-have if you love Mediterranean flavors. It’s a hardy little plant that thrives in cooler weather and keeps coming back year after year in many climates. Snip a few sprigs to season sauces, roasted veggies, or pizza. You’ll taste the difference compared to the dried stuff from the store.
Start with a transplant in the fall for the quickest harvest. Oregano loves full sun and well-drained soil. Give it regular trims to encourage tender new growth and prevent it from getting woody. 🔗 Learn more about growing oregano.
My favorite variety of oregano to grow:
- Italian Heirloom Oregano – This milder oregano is perfect in marinara sauce, pizza, pasta, soups, casseroles and salads.
7. PARSLEY (CURLY OR FLAT – LEAF)
Parsley is one of those herbs that seems simple but adds so much brightness to a dish. It loves the cool weather, so fall is prime time to grow it. And here’s a bonus: if your winters are mild, parsley might stick around for a second season.
You can start from seed if you’re patient or grab a transplant for a quicker harvest. Parsley likes full sun to partial shade and soil that stays evenly moist. When you’re ready to harvest, snip the outer stems first and let the center keep growing. Before frost hits, chop some leaves and freeze them so you have that fresh flavor on hand all winter.
My favorite variety of parsley to grow:
- Italian Gigante Parsley – I love this parsley for its more mild flavor that lends itself well as an addition to salads, rice, seafood, and potatoes.
8. ROSEMARY
Rosemary is like the evergreen hero of the herb world. Its woody stems and piney aroma make everything taste cozier, which is perfect for fall and winter. The best part? It’s perennial in many areas and can keep going year after year.
Plant rosemary as a transplant in full sun with well-drained soil. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings because rosemary doesn’t like soggy roots. In colder climates, bring your pot indoors before a hard freeze, and you’ll still have fresh sprigs for your holiday meals. 🔗 Learn more about growing rosemary in milder climates.
My favorite rosemary variety to grow:
- French Culinary Rosemary – I love this rosemary for its rich flavor and its upright growth habit—it makes harvesting a breeze and keeps the plant easy to care for.
9. SAGE
If fall had an official herb, I’d nominate sage. Those soft, silvery leaves look beautiful in the garden and taste amazing in everything from roasted veggies to stuffing. Plus, sage is tough! It can handle frost like a champ.
Start with a transplant and plant it in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Give it a little trim in the fall to encourage healthy growth, but don’t cut it back too hard before winter. Snip fresh leaves for your favorite recipes and dry a bundle to enjoy that earthy flavor all season long. 🔗 Learn more about growing sage.
My favorite sage variety to grow:
- Culinary Sage – These plants have beautiful, soft, blue-green leaves and delicate blooms that butterflies can’t resist. Sage is a classic for holiday meals and pairs perfectly with cozy winter dishes like roasted squash or pork.
10. THYME
Thyme is tiny but mighty. It’s perfect for tucking into the edges of raised beds or letting it spill over the sides of a container. A little goes a long way to flavor soups, stews, and roasted dishes during the colder months.
Plant thyme from a nursery start in full sun and well-draining soil. It’s drought-tolerant, so water sparingly. Trim often to keep it from getting woody and to encourage new, tender growth. Harvest as needed and dry extra sprigs for your spice jar—you’ll be glad you did when winter hits. 🔗 Learn more about growing thyme.
My favorite varieties of thyme to grow:
- Common or English Thyme – This popular variety produces white or pale purple flowers and grows to be about 8″ to 12″ tall. Common thyme is fairly winter hardy.
- Lemon Thyme – As the name suggests, this type boasts a strong citrus flavor and is great for adding flavor to fish and chicken dishes. It has pink flowers and stays between 6″ and 12″ tall.
I love having fresh herbs just steps away from my kitchen, even in the cooler months. Growing herbs in fall and winter not only adds flavor to your meals, but it also brings so much life to your garden (or even your indoor space) when everything else seems to slow down.
If you’ve never tried growing herbs this time of year, start with just one or two from this list. You might be surprised at how much joy a little greenery can bring. And trust me, there’s nothing better than snipping fresh rosemary or parsley while dinner’s on the stove!
