AproplantBackyard Herb Spiral
A compact starter herb spiral proving a first list does not need to be big, just seven approachable culinary herbs anyone can grow in a small footprint.
7 plants · Exported October 19, 2026
Common Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Sunfull sunWaterlowSize0.75-1.5'
A compact woody perennial herb prized for its aromatic leaves used in cooking and medicine. It produces small purple, pink, or white flowers and thrives in dry conditions with minimal care.
Blooms: May, June, July, August
Oregano
Origanum vulgare
Sunfull sunWaterlowSize1-2.5'
A hardy Mediterranean herb with small, fragrant, gray-green leaves and tiny pink, purple, or white flowers. Oregano is a classic culinary herb that thrives in sunny, dry locations and is extremely low-maintenance.
Blooms: June, July, August, September
Garden Sage
Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor'
Sunfull sunWaterlowSize1.5-2.5'
A decorative culinary sage with variegated foliage featuring green, cream, and purple leaves. Produces purple-pink flowers in summer and thrives in dry conditions with minimal maintenance.
Blooms: May, June, July, August
Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
Sunfull sunWatermoderateSize0.75-1.5'
Chives are a hardy perennial herb with slender, tubular green leaves and delicate purple-pink flowers; both leaves and blossoms are edible and commonly used to flavor dishes. They spread readily by seed and division, making them a prolific addition to herb gardens and permaculture systems.
Blooms: May, June, July
Peppermint
Mentha × piperita
Sunpart shadeWatermoderateSize1.5-3'
Peppermint is a vigorous, aromatic perennial herb valued for its cooling flavor and medicinal properties. It spreads readily via rhizomes and produces delicate purple-pink flowers that attract pollinators.
Blooms: June, July, August, September
Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis
Sunpart shadeWatermoderateSize1.5-3'
A fragrant herbaceous perennial with lemon-scented leaves prized for culinary and medicinal uses. Produces delicate white or pale pink flowers and attracts pollinators to the garden.
Blooms: June, July, August
Winter Savory
Satureja montana
Sunfull sunWaterlowSize1-1.5'
Winter savory is a compact, evergreen Mediterranean herb with tiny needle-like leaves and small white or lavender flowers. It is valued for culinary and medicinal uses, and thrives in poor, dry conditions.
Blooms: July, August, September