The most important kitchen herbs in portrait
Fresh herbs are the salt in the soup – in the truest sense. Whether spicy basil on the tomato, chives on the bread and butter or rosemary with the potatoes: home-grown kitchen herbs are more aromatic than any shop-bought produce and available almost all year round. This overview introduces the most important ones.
For care it is important to know whether a herb is annual or perennial and which location it prefers.
In short
- Annual herbs (e.g. basil, dill) must be sown anew each year.
- Perennials (e.g. chives, thyme, sage) come back every year.
- Mediterranean herbs love sun and rather lean, dry soil.
- Regular harvesting keeps the plants bushy and productive.
Annual and biennial herbs
Basil (warmth-loving, sunny, moist), dill (loose, sunny), parsley (biennial, part shade), coriander and chervil are among the herbs usually sown anew each year. They grow quickly and are easy to re-sow successionally.
Perennial & hardy herbs
| Herb | Location | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Chives | sunny–part shade | salads, quark, eggs |
| Thyme | sunny, lean | meat, stews |
| Rosemary | sunny, warm | potatoes, roasts |
| Sage | sunny, dry | pasta, meat |
| Oregano | sunny, lean | pizza, tomatoes |
| Mint | part shade, moist | tea, desserts |
Cultivation tips
Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage and oregano love full sun and rather lean, permeable soil – they do not tolerate waterlogging. Basil and mint, on the other hand, like it more nutrient-rich and moist. Mint spreads strongly and is best planted in a pot or with a root barrier.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my supermarket basil wilt so quickly?
There, many plants stand too close in the same pot. Separated and planted in good compost, basil lasts much longer.
Which herbs survive the winter?
Chives, thyme, sage, oregano and mint are hardy; rosemary needs some protection in harsh locations.
Tip
Harvest herbs regularly and always cut basil above a pair of leaves – this way it branches and becomes bushy instead of long and bare.
Caution
Never plant mint unchecked in the bed – with its runners it quickly overgrows its neighbours. A pot or a root barrier keeps it in check.
From basil to rosemary, you will find strong herb young plants with us – robustly pre-grown and aromatic.