Herbal Plants

In recent years, gardeners have gained a new appreciation for age old members of the plant community – herbal plants.

With their seemingly endless varieties, they have become increasingly popular for medicinal, culinary, beauty and household uses.

Since most herbs are fairly easily grown from seeds or cuttings, and require less maintenance than many garden plants, they have become popular in landscapes.

Herbs can be grown in small space or in container. Many gardeners use herbs as ground cover as well. Knowing the characteristics and the types of herbs can help you decide which herb plants to grow.

Types of Herb Plants

Herbal plants are categorized by their primary uses, although many cross over into more than one category. There are herbs for health, cooking, beauty, decorating and household use.

By growing an assortment of all categories, you will have an abundance of plants for multiple uses.

Cooking Herbs

Cooking herbs are edible herbs we use in the kitchen for flavoring foods. Perhaps the most popular are the herbs we use in the kitchen. From seasoning sauces and soups, meats and fish, to creating custom blended teas, vinegars, oils, condiments and beverages, herbs bring a world of flavor to our tables.

We can grow herbs that are used to season cuisines from around the world. We can grow fenugreek for curries and sorrel for salads, extending our collection of kitchen herbs.

Household Herbs

Antiseptic and cleaning products made with herbs give alternatives to chemical cleaners. Serving more than utilitarian purposes, aromatic herbs like rosemary and sweet marjoram bring a fresh fragrance to furniture polishes, pest repellents and disinfectants.

Potpourris can be made using a variety of herbs, including lavender, bay and calendula.

Dyes made from herbal infusions of tansy, elder or sorrel offer a rich palette of colors and fragrances and dried herbs bring freshness to our homes.

Cosmetic Herbs

By making your own herbal cosmetics, you are assured of the quality of the ingredients. Skin creams and lotions can include lady's mantle or elderflower.

Shampoos, soaps, astringents and relaxing bath products can all be made with peppermint, rosemary, yarrow or lavender grown in the garden. Use care with any herbal plants applied topically.

Medicinal Herbs

Medicinal herbs are herbs used for natural herbal remedy. The earliest use of herb plants was for medicinal purposes. The use of infusions, ointments, compresses, powders and poultices have been standard practice throughout history and is still in use in many parts of the world.

Many herbs including aloe vera, rose hips and vervain have healing properties for everything from minor burns, headaches and colds to depression and digestive disorders. (You should use herbal remedies under the care of a physician).

Here you can find a list of herbs for natural health.

Decorative Herbs

With so many uses, growing herbs for nothing more than decorative purposes wouldn't seem to make sense. But there are gardeners who do just that.

Because there are so many types of leaves, flowers and scents available in herbs, the options are endless for creating wreaths, garlands and wall hangings.

A simple wreath of herbs like parsley, rosemary, sage and mints can be hung in the kitchen. Centerpieces and baskets of fresh lavender, rosemary or mints will add a touch of nature to every corner of your home.

Whatever your reason for growing them in your garden, you'll find a great variety of useful and enjoyable herb plants to choose from and an unlimited number of ways to enjoy them.

List of Herb Plants

We will add more herbs articles soon!