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Rosemary, curry plant and basil growing in a wooden crate

When to plant · 13 plants

Herbs

Annual and perennial herbs for the kitchen. Pick one for its dates in your town and how to grow it.

Planting order

When each one first goes in around Portland, starting indoors where that comes first. Colder towns run later.

Late winter
Parsley, Chives
Early spring
Basil, Cilantro, Dill, Mint, Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Lavender, Sage, Tarragon, Lemon balm

Planting windows at a glance

Main planting window in five reference towns. Each plant's page has every town.

PlantPortlandSeattle and TacomaBend and RedmondSpokaneBoise and Meridian
BasilMay 25 – Jun 22May 25 – Jun 22Jun 16 – Jul 14May 30 – Jun 27May 10 – Jun 7
CilantroMar 1 – Apr 19Mar 1 – Apr 19Apr 28 – Jun 16Apr 1 – May 20Mar 20 – May 8
ParsleyMar 15 – May 3Mar 15 – May 3May 12 – Jun 30Apr 15 – Jun 3Apr 1 – May 20
DillMar 15 – May 17Mar 15 – May 17May 12 – Jul 14Apr 15 – Jun 17Apr 1 – Jun 3
ChivesMar 15 – May 10Mar 15 – May 10May 12 – Jul 7Apr 15 – Jun 10Apr 1 – May 27
MintMar 15 – May 10Mar 15 – May 10May 12 – Jul 7Apr 15 – Jun 10Apr 1 – May 27
RosemaryMar 15 – May 3Mar 15 – May 3May 12 – Jun 30Apr 15 – Jun 3Apr 1 – May 20
ThymeMar 15 – May 10Mar 15 – May 10May 12 – Jul 7Apr 15 – Jun 10Apr 1 – May 27
OreganoMar 15 – May 10Mar 15 – May 10May 12 – Jul 7Apr 15 – Jun 10Apr 1 – May 27
LavenderMar 15 – May 10Mar 15 – May 10May 12 – Jul 7Apr 15 – Jun 10Apr 1 – May 27
SageMar 15 – May 10Mar 15 – May 10May 12 – Jul 7Apr 15 – Jun 10Apr 1 – May 27
TarragonMar 15 – May 10Mar 15 – May 10May 12 – Jul 7Apr 15 – Jun 10Apr 1 – May 27
Lemon balmMar 15 – May 10Mar 15 – May 10May 12 – Jul 7Apr 15 – Jun 10Apr 1 – May 27

Growing herbs in the Northwest

Herbs fall into two camps. Mediterranean perennials such as rosemary, thyme, oregano and lavender want full sun and sharp drainage, and in Northwest gardens it's winter wet, more than cold, that kills them. Plant them in a raised bed, a container or a gravelly, sloping spot, and go easy on fertilizer and water once they're established.

Leafy annuals are the other camp. Cilantro and dill grow well in cool spring weather but bolt quickly in summer heat, so sow a little every few weeks. Basil is the opposite: it needs warmth and suffers when nights are cool, so it's one of the last things to go out. Parsley sits in between and is happy from spring into winter in mild areas.

Mint spreads aggressively by underground runners, so keep it in a pot. Chives are the easiest place to start: a perennial that comes back every spring, takes partial shade and needs almost no care.

Common questions

Which herbs come back every year in the Northwest?

Chives, mint, oregano, thyme, sage, tarragon, lemon balm and lavender are perennial here. Rosemary survives most west-side winters in well-drained soil. Basil, cilantro and dill are annuals.

Why do my rosemary and thyme die over winter?

Usually wet, cold soil rather than cold air. Mediterranean herbs need sharp drainage, so grow them in raised beds, on a slope or in pots.

When can I plant basil outside?

Not until nights stay warm, usually late May or June. Basil is damaged by temperatures in the 40s, so it's one of the last herbs to go out.

Other plant types

Plants for your conditions