---
title: "5 Basic Herbs to Grow ..."
description: "Lemon Balm; Catnip; Oregano; Thyme; Basil; More ..."
url: "https://gardening.allwomenstalk.com/5-basic-herbs-to-grow/"
category: "gardening"
last_updated: "2026-05-22"
---

# 5 Basic Herbs to Grow ...

Whether you are thinking about filling a large space with savory herbs or growing only a few in a planter in the kitchen window, there are some basic herbs that are useful in just about any recipe. Here are 5 basic herbs to grow for culinary purposes.

## 5. Lemon Balm

I like using this herb on my chicken when I bake it in the oven. This herb is also great for pest control. It has a lemony scent, so placing some fresh stalks of lemon balm under the couch cushions keeps fleas from finding a home there. It can also be dried and sprinkled on the carpets to add a fresh scent when vacuuming.

## 4. Catnip

This herb makes an excellent tea for sipping at the end of a hard day. Cats go crazy with this herb, but it has the opposite effect on humans. A mug of catnip tea relaxes me and even makes me a bit sleepy, which helps me get a better rest at night.

## 3. Oregano

I make my own spaghetti sauce and I love adding tons of oregano to it. It seems to be the perfect herb for adding lots of flavor to the sauce. A few leaves of oregano are sometimes just enough for boosting the flavor of a small batch of spaghetti sauce.

## 2. Thyme

I adore the tiny flowers that burst into bloom on this wonderful herb, which gives it a dual purpose. Thyme is an excellent addition to recipes with roasted meat and it can be left to bloom to add some color to the herb garden.

## 1. Basil

I like to use this herb in a number of recipes, especially when the recipe involves pasta. Making pesto with basil is easy and I can freeze it in [ice cube trays](https://food.allwomenstalk.com/is-this-the-ultimate-in-portion-control-ice-cube-tray-food/), then transfer the frozen pesto cubes to a freezer baggie for later use. Basil also makes an excellent tea for when you are feeling under the weather.

These are the basic herbs I like to make sure to plant in my garden each spring. Some of them I keep well into the winter, so that I can have fresh herbs as long as possible. What types of herbs do you use the most when you cook at home?

Top Photo Credit: [Joi](https://www.flickr.com/photos/joi/2565214027/)

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