Here are some Fast-Growing Herbs You Can Grow From Seeds quickly and enjoy a fresh and aromatic harvest in no time!
These 10 herbs germinate quickly from seeds, which means you can start them indoors anytime without waiting for weeks for them to emerge. It’s also inexpensive compared to buying plants from the store.
Check out some of the most exotic herbs around the world here
Quick Tips and Tricks to Grow Herbs from Seeds
- Start with good quality seeds: Invest in quality seeds from reliable sources to ensure you’re getting viable seeds.
- Prepare the soil: Most herbs prefer light, well-draining soil. Amend the growing medium with compost if it’s too sandy or clay-like.
- Planting depth: Plant seeds twice as deep as their size. If a seed is 1/4-inch long, plant it 1/2-inch deep.
- Watering: Water the soil until it’s moist, but not soaked. Make sure the growing medium gets time to dry out between waterings.
- Fertilizing: Use a light application of a balanced fertilizer every few weeks if desired.
- Sunlight: Herbs need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day, so make sure to pick a spot in your garden that receives plenty of sun.
- Thin-out seedlings: Once your herbs are established and have multiple sets of leaves, thin out the seedlings so they’re spaced 8-12 inches apart.
- Pruning: Prune herbs to keep them healthy and productive. It will also help to encourage bushier growth.
- Harvesting: Begin harvesting your herbs when they’re young and tender. Cut off the top few inches of growth to encourage more production.
Fast-Growing Herbs You Can Grow From Seeds
1. Basil
Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum
Germination Time: 5-10 days
When it comes to fast-growing herbs that germinate quickly, basil is the winner. Since basil is sensitive to cold weather, make sure when you plant basil seeds, the temperature remains above 50 F (10 C). To learn more about basil seed propagation, click here.
Here’s everything you need to know about growing Basil
2. Cilantro
Botanical Name: Coriandrum sativum
Germination Time: 7-15 Days
If you love Mexican, Indian, and South Asian food, grow cilantro or coriander. This herb is usually grown from seeds and emerges quickly. To learn how to do it, view our cilantro growing guide here.
3. Sage
Botanical Name: Salvia officinalis
Germination Time: 10-20 Days
Unlike basil or cilantro, you’ll have to wait a little longer for sage, around 2-3 weeks, which is still fast compared to other slow-germinating herbs like parsley. The best time to plant its seeds is when the temperature is around or above 60 F (15 C).
4. Fenugreek
Botanical Name: Trigonella foenum-graecum
Germination Time: 4-12 Days
Fenugreek is a powerful medicinal herb that is also used as a leafy vegetable. This annual plant germinates as quickly as basil. To get more information on how to grow it, click here.
Learn why every man should eat fenugreek here
5. Oregano
Botanical Name: Origanum vulgare
Germination Time: 8-14 Days
This quick-growing herb pops up in a week or two from seeds. If you’re propagating it in a colder zone, provide it a constant warm temperature of around 60 F (15 C), you can use a heating mat for this purpose.
Here’s everything you need to know about growing Oregano
6. Fennel
Botanical Name: Foeniculum vulgare
Germination Time: 6-12 Days
If you soak the seeds before planting, fennel seedlings will emerge quickly within a few days. You can use fresh fennel fronds in salads, pestos, and curries or garnish them on yogurt dips.
To learn more about growing fennel, you can view its growing guide here
7. Chives
Botanical Name: Allium schoenoprasum
Germination Time: 14-20 Days
While the best way to propagate chives is through division, you can still grow them from seeds both indoors and outdoors.
Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in a seed mix, and keep them in a warm spot that receives indirect sunlight. To learn more about growing chives in pots, click here.
8. Mint
Botanical Name: Mentha
Germination Time: 15-20 Days
Mint grows best from cuttings, but seed propagation works as well. As this herb can tolerate shade, you can also grow it indoors. Just keep the soil slightly moist and provide bright morning sun and indirect light throughout the day to watch it thrive.
Here’s all the information you need to grow Mint
9. Dill
Botanical Name: Anethum graveolens
Germination Time: 8-18 Days
This fragrant herb is both easy to grow and fast-germinating; you may see the sprouts in 1 to 3 weeks. Growing it will let you have fresh leaves for soups and stews. It does best in full sun and well-draining soil.
Dill grows best with cabbage and onions, so you can grow them all together.
Here’s all you need to know about growing Dill in pots
10. Thyme
Botanical Name: Thymus vulgaris
Germination Time: 7-20 Days
Thyme seeds can germinate in one or two weeks if the conditions are favorable or take a month or two if the seed quality is poor or the temperature is not optimum. Thyme grows best when the temperature is around 70 F (21 C).
11. Holy Basil
Botanical Name: Ocimum tenuiflorum
Germination Time: 10-18 days
Growing holy basil from seeds can be a rewarding and satisfying experience. To get started, purchase high-quality holy basil seeds and plant them 1/4 inch deep in a well-draining potting mix.
Water well and ensure the seeds get plenty of bright and indirect light. With proper care, the holy basil plants should be ready to harvest within 8-10 weeks.
